Which procedure can I take to diminish acne scars? (Photo)

Question

29 age and 55 weight. I have taken 2 session of fractional CO2 and 6 session of vivace rf microneedling but still no improvement in my acne scars

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

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

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

Frankly, I am not at all surprised, nor would my regular followers be, that there was little success with the treatments tried here. I have been informing readers for years that the hard science to back up the use of expensive  "bells and whistles" fraxel lasers and RF gizmos lags well behind the heavy marketing hype and social media buzz that promotes them. Sorry. On the other hand, there are several techniques for treating acne scars that have stood the test following decades' of use for both safety and efficacy in treating acne scars in all skin types. Field Subcision is for elevating and smoothing large areas, such as the cheeks or the temples. Individual subcisions, which I have been performing since 1995, is a proven technique for elevating and smoothing distinct boxcar and rolling scars. TCA CROSS, which I have been performing for over twenty-four years, is for addressing ice pick scars. And, finally, once the aforementioned are performed, professionally performed manual microneedling (no need for the added expense and risks of RF microneedling) can be used to better blend the treated scars, in both color and texture, with the surrounding normal skin. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Which procedure can I take to diminish acne scars? (Photo)

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Which procedure can I take to diminish acne scars? (Photo)

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