Acne scars and dark circles? (Photo)

Question

Hi ! I am an Asian male aged 37 and I have acne scars on my face, dark circles and under eye bags. I had many procedures for acne scars (subcision, CO2, Microneedling) and for the eyes (fillers and lower blepharoplasty) and it seems that still my scars and eye problem are still there. I don't know what else to do so I would like your help to find the good treatments to treat my face. Thank you!

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

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

First, let me say that I am sorry that you have been going though all this and are still unhappy. What i can say, as a cosmetic dermatologist who has been performing subcisions for acne boxcar and rolling scars since 1995 is that ordinarily, in order to achieve an overall upwards of 80% improvement in appearance, each scar requires on average about three to four properly performed treatment sessions in order to achieve optimal improvement. If you have received only one or two treatments per site, this may explain your seeming lack of response. And, of course, this presumes that a highly trained physician is performing them. Regarding the under-eyes, it is important to understand that the mid-face provides the primary support for the under-eyes, meaning that if there is any volume deficit there, the under-eyes will appear more hollow and the thin infraorbital skin reflect the darker blood vessels underneath. Proper use of a robust HA filler for the upper mid-cheek can go a long way to remedying this problem. You have apparently been through the mill already. It would be wise to make sure you consult with an experienced, board certified cosmetic dermatologist. scar and filler expert.  Hope this helps and best of luck.

Acne scars and dark circles? (Photo)

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Acne scars and dark circles? (Photo)

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about CO2 Laser

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