How do I treat this ice pick scar on my nose? (Photo)

Question

I started having acne since the age of 13 it went away when i was 16 left me a few scars here and there but when i turned 17 that's when my acne came back really hard and it ruined my skin

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office has many different treatments for acne scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Acne scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of acne scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic acne scars and indented acne scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve  the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture.  Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your acne scarring.
 
Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

TCA CROSS is a simple technique for treating dilated pores and ice pick scars that has stood the test of about a quarter of a century of time for safety and efficacy in all skin types. Professionally performed manual microneedling has a record about as long for success in treating these two problems. I have been performing each of these procedures with gratifying results since their introduction. No need for the expense and risks of fraxel lasers or of RF microneedling (which adds both risks and expense and little to the overall benefit). You would be wise to consult with a board certified cosmetic dermatologist acne scar specialist. Best of luck.

How do I treat this ice pick scar on my nose? (Photo)

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How do I treat this ice pick scar on my nose? (Photo)

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Everything you need to know about TCA Peel

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