I've been told it cystic acne damage on nose can't be repaired in any way that wouldn't make it worse. Help? (Photo)

Question

I have cystic acne damage on my nose. Over decade-old damaged pore never heals. May "fill" temporarily until the next inevitable flare up. Other damage - slight rolling, redness, large pores generally. Some periods doesn't look as bad, but it's undermined my self-confidence, has hurt me professionally (performer). Can't afford multiple consults for 500 dollars or more each. Asked a couple trusted dermatologists, they say laser will help but it can't be repaired with any procedure that wouldn't leave it worse, will be w me for life.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

vOur office has many different treatments for acne scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Acne scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of acne scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic acne scars and indented acne scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve  the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture.  Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your acne scarring.
 
Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Jennifer Goodrich, MD · Answer

Good afternoon:
I can appreciate the single, red pore just left of center. If it is this singular lesion you are concerned about, you can always have it excised. It would confirm/rule out presence/absence of malignancy. You would be trading a scar for the red pore. You can try topical tretinoin to help reduce the pore size globally. Best of luck!

I've been told it cystic acne damage on nose can't be repaired in any way that wouldn't make it worse. Help? (Photo)

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I've been told it cystic acne damage on nose can't be repaired in any way that wouldn't make it worse. Help? (Photo)

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Scar Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.