1 year post-op from Accutane - What would be the best treatment for my type of acne scarring? (photos)

Question

I finished Accutane about a year ago so I’d like to begin treating my scars. I’ve been using Arazlo for about 8 months now and some of the scars are more shallow. However, I still deal with so many red marks and shallow atrophic scars scars even with the use of a retinoid. I just want normal looking skin.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our treatments use combination therapy to improve the epidermis and dermis for most deep scars. The options available for acne scars depend on the character of your scars, in terms of topography and contour. We see atrophic and hypertrophic acne scars, as well as scars that have hypo and hyperpigmentation. We begin each scar evaluation with an assessment of scar quality and subtype. Our main concern is rebuilding collagen and that is why we use a HIDEF protocol that includes combination therapy. Morpheus 8, scar subcision, fibrous release, fractional laser, CO2 laser, Thulium laser, PDL Vbeam laser, and fractional resurfacing can be used in addition to TCA Cross and chemical peels to further improve skin. Patients should start Melarase AM and Melarase PM for active hyperpigmentation. Always begin with a consultation to decide whether early subcision should be started.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

From what can be seen in the photos provided, there are quite a few ice pick scars, as well as wider, but very shallow rolling scars. TCA CROSS works well for ice pick scars and dilated pores and is absolutely fine for skin of color, in fact it was developed in South Korea for South Korean women with ice pick scars. Once this is done, professionally performed microneedling can be performed to help blend the treated areas better in both color and texture with the surrounding normal skin. The topical retinoid use is excellent for maintenance of the benefits achieved by the aforementioned, but had little chance of effecting major improvements by itself. Make sure that you consult with a board certified cosmetic dermatologist and acne scar specialist. Best of luck.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

At home peels like cosmelan, enlighten and aerify along with dermarolling (Emerageskin roller with anteage MD AERIFY ampules weekly) should be started now (see link to emeragecosmetics).

if you have post inflammatory hyperpigmentation/melasma/discoloration that needs cosmelan or enlighten peels at home which we can do virtually and send to your home along with aerify peels regularly, vivatia foam, restorsea 10x, faith essence serum, and cosmelan 2 cream.

Acne scar treatment needs a combination approach for improvement.  For the best results, one should target the acne scar type.  As everyone has a unique pattern of acne scarring, the best solution is a tailored one.  Typically you need fillers like bellafill and sculptra for atrophic indented type scars with or without subcision.  Subcision for depressed tethered scars.  Vascular lasers like yellow laser, aerolase, excel V or IPL for redness or thick scars. And lasers such as fraxel, halo, maxi, pro fractional laser/erbium, co2 or fractional radiofrequency like venus viva, skinfinity, intensif or fractora microneedling RF for textural issues and superficial scarring.  Deep ice pick scars and narrow box car scars are best treated with TCA CROSS and punch excision.  All lasers are combined with microneedling and PRP to get even better results and improve healing times.   The majority of patients will have a collection of different scar types, and hence a tailored treatment plan is needed by an expert physician.  It is never about the laser or product that gives the results, its about the expert behind the equipment that gets you the outcome.  Scars cannot be cured and will need life-long treatments to maintain and build on the results.  For those at high risk for hyperpigmentation (darker skin types or asian or hispanic or mixed ethnicities) we already pre-treat the skin with cosmelan or enlighten lightening peels to prevent complications from energy-based or chemical-based treatments.  Best, Dr. Emer.

1 year post-op from Accutane - What would be the best treatment for my type of acne scarring? (photos)

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1 year post-op from Accutane - What would be the best treatment for my type of acne scarring? (photos)

Answers (3)

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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.