Red acne scars (PIE) removal? (Photo)

Question

I have tried sooooo many different treatments and products but nothing seems to work! I get hot flushes all the time and my red scars appear more visible when that happens. I still look like I have acne! How can I treat this? Is Excel V effective for this? I’ve bought so many different skin care, from retinols to alpha arbutin, you name it! I’ve done facials, laser facials, why is nothing helping? I regularly wear SPF too.

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

This is quite a common problem following the clearing of active acne lesions. It is called PIE or post-inflammatory erythema (redness).  Unfortunately, there's way too much marketing and social hype (and, unfortunately, precious little hard science) pushing the use of the expensive bells and whistles energy-based devices, which so often result in big expenditures and little to no benefit, as in this case. I have personally had success dealing with this issue manually performing medical microneedling accompanied by the application of vasoactive and vasoconstrictive medications. You would wise to consult a board certified cosmetic dermatologist and best of luck.

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