What treatments will help reduce the appearance of my acne scars?

Question

Why treatments will help reduce the appearance of my acne scars? I've tried RF microneedling, chemical peels, microneedling & tixel. Anything else out there that might work?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Fractional laser is an amazing and highly effective treatment in our office. We use the laser treatment to help with acne scars, large pores, fine wrinkles, tissue collagen loss, scars, sebaceous hyperplasia, active acne, and for brightening dark pigmentation. Although there are very strong fractional lasers such as CO2 laser, we use lighter treatments for corrective skincare and maintenance of results. Our Thulium fractional laser, clear and brilliant laser, and Ultra Thulium laser are excellent options in our clinic. We also perform CO2 fractional and erbium depending on skin tone and tolerance for downtime. Patients do have to use a Melarase cream before and after treatment to help further reduce pigmentation after laser. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Hello KJ0044

Thank you for sharing your photos! My name is Melanie I am a Medical Aesthetician located in Chicago IL at Aesthetic Skin, we are a Facial Plastic Surgeon office who specialize not only in Facial Surgery but also non-surgical facial rejuvenation. Our team of providers work together in developing the correct treatment plan case by case. Our top option for treating acne scars is subcision and bellafill this is generally a 2-3 session process. Please feel free to contact our office with further questions or to schedule your consultation 312-944-0117.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

​Acne scars need a combination approach for long-term improvement. Everyone has a unique pattern of acne scarring, and most people have various types of scars, so we create a tailored treatment plan for each patient. We often use:
- Injectable fillers like Bellafill and Sculptra (with or without subcision) for atrophic, indented scars. 
- Subcision for depressed, tethered scars. 
- Vascular lasers like Yellow laser, Aerolase, excel V, BBL, or IPL for redness or thick acne scars. 
- Lasers such as Fraxel, Erbium, CO2, Halo or fractional radiofrequency (Venus Viva, Skinfinity, Morpheus, PiXel8, Fractora, Intensif microneedling RF) for textural issues and superficial scarring. 
- TCA CROSS and punch excision for deep ice pick scars and narrow box car scars.

All lasers are combined with microneedling/PRP to improve the results and accelerate your healing time. Keep in mind that a personalized combination treatment by an expert physician will give you the improvement you're looking for. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced cosmetic dermatologist and acne scarring expert. Best, Dr. Emer. ​

Yael Halaas, MD · Answer

First I would need to know how many treatments you have had of each of the ones mentioned above. Normally it takes three to six treatments to see improvement on the skin texture. So if you haven’t continued past one treatment that may be a reason you aren’t seeing results. In addition to any treatments you’re doing you need to ensure you have a great home care regimen. Any recommendations are dependent on skin evaluation, but there are a few things to consider doing, such as fractionated laser, trying radio frequency micro needling again, and maybe doing treatments closer apart (3-4 weeks instead of 5-6). Another option might be the CO2 laser too.

What treatments will help reduce the appearance of my acne scars?

Answers (4)

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