Trying to find best treatment for mild to moderate acne scarring (Photo)

Question

I am 23 year old male interested in reducing the appearance of my acne scaring. Would appreciate any recommended procedures. Thanks.

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Hello. My name is Ranen and I am an aesthetic nurse at Aesthetic skin.  I treat many patients with different types of acne scars.  Depends on the type of scars, we may do a combination of treatments that would be most effective in getting you the results you desire.  I would recommend you come in for a consultation and we can discuss the options best for your skin.   We also offer virtual consultations if you would like.  Please feel free to contact me at 312-944-0117 if you have any other questions.

Ali Cetinkaya, MD · Answer

Acne scars can be treated effectively with various procedures depending on their severity and type. For mild to moderate scarring, treatments like microneedling, chemical peels, and laser resurfacing (such as CO2 or fractional laser) can improve skin texture. If the scars are deeper, subcision or dermal fillers might be necessary to lift the depressed areas. A consultation with a qualified specialist will help determine the best approach based on your skin type and goals. At our clinic, we offer personalized treatment plans to help you achieve smoother, clearer skin.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Acne scars are usually characterized within the subtypes of atrophic, hypertrophic, pigmented, or inflammatory. These subtypes of acne scars can be visually discerning in ambient light and can cause significant cosmetic concerns. Indented and atrophic scars require a combination approach to stimulate collagen and elastin, thereby smoothing contour and uneven skin. These are usually combined with lasers and depigmentation protocols to reduce inflammatory hyperpigmentation (Melarase AM and Melarase PM). Our Hidef protocols for acne scars include fillers such as Sculptra, Juvederm, Radiesse, and Restylane to improve deep acne scars; Vascular lasers to reduce inflammation and post-inflammatory redness and erythema; Fractional lasers to smooth contour and collagen; and Fractional RF to stimulate production of collagen within atrophic scars. Textural improvement and superficial scarring can be improved with Cosmelan peels, TCA Cross for ice-pick scars, deep chemical peels, and fractional CO2. We offer a personalized approach to your combination of scars and a formal evaluation with consultation is recommended to help you achieve your final results. Our plastic surgery office offers subcision and combination TCA Cross to help reduce deeply pitted scars. In terms of pigmentation and skin resonance, we recommend daily use of Melarase AM and Melarase PM coupled with Retinoid creams to achieve brilliant skin.

Best,
Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best, 
Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

There are some simple rules to follow for treating acne scars: keep the treatments simple, relatively inexpensive, and look for those that have proven their value in decades of real-world use for both safety and efficacy. The following treatments meet those criteria. For treating ice pick scars, consider TCA CROSS, a technique that I have been using for nearly a quarter of a century, with a proven track record for safety and efficacy in all skin types. For acne related generalized atrophy-related volume loss in the cheeks, as is suggested in the photo, a Field Subcision can be very helpful. This will not only help to restore volume and decrease the sunken appearance, but by elevating the skin will help to smooth the overlying cheek scars. 
For individual indented scars, such as rolling scars and boxcar scars, consider individual subcisions, an approach that I have been using for coming up on thirty years, for elevating and smoothing them. It, too, has a proven record for safety and efficacy in all skin types. 
None of the aforementioned procedures entails any significant post-treatment downtime. 
And for superficial, surface, texture and/or pigmentary irregularities, consider professionally performed, manual microneedling (no need for the added expense and risks of RF micro needling) accompanied by the application of the appropriate Rx topicals. I personally have nearly 25 years of gratifying experience using this approach for these kinds of issues in all skin types. 
Finally, I would suggest exercising a great deal of "buyer beware" caution when considering the use of so many of the expensive, so-called, "next big thing," often here-today-gone-tomorrow, light and energy-based devices being advertised out there, as the hard science to back of their use lags well behind the heavy marketing hype and social media buzz that promotes them. You would be wise to consult with an experienced, board certified certified cosmetic dermatologist acne scar treatment specialist. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Stefan Weiss, MD · Answer

The gold standard for reduction of acne scarring is CO2 laser resurfacing. CO2 laser resurfacing is an advanced treatment for improving acne scars by stimulating collagen production and promoting skin renewal. This procedure uses targeted laser energy to remove damaged skin layers, reducing the appearance of scars and improving texture. CO2 laser delivers noticeable, long-lasting results with proper aftercare. I advise that you consult with a board-certified dermatologist to determine if this option is right for your skin’s needs.

Trying to find best treatment for mild to moderate acne scarring (Photo)

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