Vertaporfin + Dermaclae + Renuva - can these work to correct acne scars? (Photos)

Thank you for your question and for providing photos. When it comes to treating acne scars—particularly rolling scars, boxcar scars, and icepick scars—a multimodal approach is often most effective. Here's how each of the treatments you mentioned fits into that landscape:

Verteporfin
Verteporfin is traditionally used in ophthalmology but has recently gained interest for dermatologic use due to its anti-fibrotic and anti-scarring potential. Some early studies suggest it may inhibit the fibrotic response in scar tissue, but its use for acne scars is still experimental and not yet widely adopted in clinical practice.

Dermaclae
Dermaclae is marketed as a topical growth factor and regenerative therapy. While it may help improve skin texture and tone, its impact on deeper acne scars (especially icepick or boxcar types) is likely limited unless combined with other modalities like microneedling or laser.

Renuva
Renuva is an adipose matrix injectable designed to restore volume and stimulate tissue regeneration. It can be particularly helpful in treating rolling scars, which are caused by volume loss and tethering beneath the skin. Renuva essentially encourages your own body to regenerate fat in the treated area.

Can They Be Combined?
Theoretically, yes, these treatments could be combined, but careful planning and sequencing would be essential:

Renuva could be used to restore volume and improve contour, particularly for rolling scars.

Verteporfin may serve as a supportive treatment to limit fibrosis if used with appropriate guidance.

Dermaclae might complement the regenerative process, especially if used post-procedure (e.g., after microneedling or laser).

However, these combinations are not standard practice yet, and there is limited clinical data on using all three together. Treatment success often depends on individual scar type, skin condition, and overall treatment goals. A layered, customized plan—sometimes involving resurfacing procedures or subcision—is usually required for meaningful improvement in atrophic acne scars.

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