How do I treat scars and enlarged pores left by blackheads and acne? (photos)

Question

Hi, I am 21 years old. When I was a teenager I suffered from acne. Due to this I started using harsh cleansers which got my skin super oily. Now I am left with super oily skin and enlarged pores on my nose and cheeks. I get blackheads often especially on my nose and lately also getting acne on my face. My nose is now left with these huge pores left by big blackheads and acne. Also have enlarged pores on cheeks. How do I treat these scars? Heard about CO2 laser and TCA cross. Please help. Thanks

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Fractional CO2 laser is an excellent tool for skin rejuvenation in our center in Santa Monica. We use the fractional multi-depth ablative approach to help resurface the skin, recontour acne scars, improve incisional plastic surgery scars, and reduce surface irregularities from skin tone to dark pigmentation. Our approach utilizes a multi-depth approach that targets melanocytes in the epidermis and collagen fibroblasts in the dermis. This approach can be combined with a TCA Peel in a process known as a sapphire peel. Fractional laser is excellent for acne scars and contour scars in the skin. Patients are advised to undergo skin protocols with Melarase creams before and after treatment to help reduce pigmentation. Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads can seriously improve surface sun damage and UV related pigmentation. After the laser, we expect redness for a few weeks as the skin improves. PRP and Hydrafacial enzyme facials can further improve skin quality after fractional co2.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

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. Generally speaking, 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, PiXel8, Morpheus, Skinfinity, 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.

For darker skin types, it is important to avoid strong lasers such as CO2/Erbium and Fraxel as they can cause hyperpigmentation. Instead, scars in darker skin types can be improved with a combination of microneedling RF (Fractora, Intensif, Infini), Aerolase or Laser Genesis, microneedling with PRP, skin lightening, peels like Cosmelan, enlighten and aerify along with dermarolling (EmerageSkin roller with anteage AERIFY MD ampules weekly, and a proper skin care protocol (hydroquinone, vitamin c, kojic acid, azelaic acid, retinol)​. Sun protection is essential. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and acne scarring expert. Best, Dr. Emer​

Gilberto Sanchez Rico, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hello!In your case I would recommend a deep cleaning facial, sessions of Hollywood peel to eliminate bacteria and CO2 fractional to minimize the size of the pores and give a better texture to the skin.The laser procedures (Hollywood pell and CO2) do not have to be in the same day, you have to finish each treatment so the skin can adjust to the changes, what can be done is a deep cleaning before each session of laser to prep the skin.

How do I treat scars and enlarged pores left by blackheads and acne? (photos)

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How do I treat scars and enlarged pores left by blackheads and acne? (photos)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about CO2 Laser

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