Will subsicion help my acne scars? (Photos)

Question

Will subsicion help my acne scars? I have done 3 microneedling sessions 4 years ago. I was thinking about doing subsicion with tca cross but i heard about fat loss. Will this happen?

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.  
Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Philosophical436152,

it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Based on your photos, it looks like subcision and fat transfer or filler might help with your scars. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.

Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

The subject line to this answer are the basic rules for treating acne scars. Subcisions, which I have been performing for thirty years with gratifying results is for elevating and smoothing all kinds of indented scars, including boxcar and rolling acne scars. 
TCA CROSS, which I have been performing for twenty-five years, is best reserved for treating ice pick scars and dilated pores. 
Both subcisions and TCA CROSS have a several decades' long track record for safety and effectiveness, something that cannot be said for so many of the expensive, here-today-gone-tomorrow, expensive fraxel laser and RF gizmos that are so heavily marketed out there and hawked on social media. So, a heavy dose of  beware beware should be exercised if offered these devices.
I have been performing microneedling also for a quarter of a century. It is best reserved for treating very superficial, surface skin texture and tone issues. So, I am not surprised that you did not have much benefit for your scars. (And for the benefit of other readers of this answer, manual microneedling works just fine for tone and texture problems, and there is little need for the added expense or risks of adverse reactions from RF microneedling).. 
Hope this helps and best of luck.

Will subsicion help my acne scars? (Photos)

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