Is ResurFX a good option for acne scars? (Photo)

Question

I am suffering from acne scars for almost 10 years. I have undergone 1 session ResurFX 2 days back. Is ResurFX the perfect treatment for my acne and scars? Can I expect any changes? I had done 15 sessions of microdermabrasion 3 years back and there was no improvement. Will ResurFX provide a solution? I have attached my scar pictures taken before ResurFX.

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.  Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads can seriously improve surface sun damage and UV related pigmentation. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.

Mitchel Goldman, MD · Answer

As you have experienced, acne scars can be difficult to treat and usually require more than one kind of therapy, plus multiple sessions. ResurFX is one of my favorite lasers for treating acne scars. Maximal results take a few months and between 3-6 monthly treatments are necessary to see a significant improvement. It can definitely help with smaller acne scars and pits. However, you may need other therapies as well, including excision and/or fillers for deeper scars. It sounds like your dermatologist has chosen a good first step, but if you do not get as a dramatic improvement as you want, you may need to talk about adding in other therapies, too. Please consult your board-certified dermatologist about the timeline for improving your scars, what kind of improvement you can expect, and what other therapies you might need.

Michael T. Somenek, MD · Answer

ResurFX is non-ablative laser that utilizes heat to
stimulate the dermal layers of skin to develop collagen and elastin without
affecting the epidermis. As the collagen and elastin grow, the skin looks
tighter, more even, and more youthful.

Acne scars are one of the most difficult things we treat in
cosmetics. There are many variables involved in treating acne scars and they
all must be taken into account when customizing a treatment plan. It is
important for a patient to remember that no matter what treatment you choose,
many sessions or different treatment techniques may be required.  The goal
of treatment in my opinion is to blend them in to surrounding tissue making
them less noticeable. This may take many different treatment modalities and the ResurFX is
a good place to start. You should be sure to go to someone who is well versed
in treating acne scarring and has a number of different options to use. I would
start with 3-6 Resurfx treatments approximately 3-4 weeks apart and then
reassess and choose the next option if necessary.

Davin Lim, MBBS, FACD - Account Suspended · Answer

NO, in this situation there are much better treatment options for this type of scaring. I do not like the use of any non ablative lasers in THIS context. Sure, if you mild or early acne scar than ResurFX can be a good option, in this case it is prudent to treat your scar type with a METHOD and not just an device. 
Acne scar revision comprises of specialised procedures. For the best results, one should target the acne scar type with ideal treatments METHODS. Using one device is not optimal. As everyone has a unique pattern of acne scarring, the best solution is a tailored one.  The web reference below will take you to a resource to help you understand acne scar revision at a specialist level. I embedded all the videos in one page to help.

As an example deep ice pick scars, and narrow box car scars are best treated with TCA CROSS. Deep narrow scars respond better to this treatment than even the most expensive lasers. On the flip side, rolling, and atrophic acne scars can improve with fractional devices such as Fraxel, fractional lasers, ProFractional erbium lasers, Infiini –Intensif –Intracel radiofrequency microneedling. Atrophic scars (depressions) can be treated with either fat grafts, PRP or dermal fillers. Tethered and anchored scars are best treated with surgical techniques such as subcision. Other surgical techniques that I use include punch elevation, surgical elevation, punch excision and traditional excision for focal scars. Early and very mild acne scars respond well to eMatrix and non-energy microneedling, as well as vascular lasers. Skin colour changes such as PIH or dark marks respond best to sun protection, creams, and Q switch lasers in the nano and pico pulse durations.

The majority of patients will have a collection of different scar types, and hence a tailored treatment METHOD will be best. Careful examination, especially under angled lighting with scar mapping will give you an understanding of what are the best options for your scars. Additionally tactile examination namely touch will give me an understanding of the amount of subdermal fibrosis, as special equipment is needed for this sub-set of acne scars.  In the majority of patients its finding the correct combination that give you best results, and everyone is unique! It is never about the device, its about the specialist behind the equipment that will deliver the best outcomes. All the best, Dr Davin Lim. Acne scar dermatologist specialist. Brisbane, Australia.

Jimmy C. Sung, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi, 
Thank you for your post. ResurFx works well for acne scars and fine lines.  When done properly the treatment is relatively painless with no downtime.  If you have deep acne scars the best treatment for you may be a CO2 laser. As with any laser treatment, the machine has to be well designed and correctly calibrated, and a well-trained, experienced provider is necessary to achieve an optimal and safe outcome.

Is ResurFX a good option for acne scars? (Photo)

Answers (5)

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