Which treatment is best for acne scars, skin laxity, open pores, dry & uneven skin tone? Redensity 1, Thermage or Exilis Elite?

Question

I am in my 50’s who had lost a lot of weight plus premature menopause. After few cc of voluma on my cheeks and nasolabial folds, I was very pleased with the results and started to doll up. However, my foundation doesn’t adhere and leaves cracks after a couple of hours despite night creams and serums. My skin is thin, sensitive and blood capillaries breaks out easily. Out of the above 3 treatments, which do you think is more suitable?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Acne scar, skin laxity and enlarged pores need 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, erbium, co2 or fractional radiofrequency like venus viva, skinfinity, intensif 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.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

You asked an excellent question but there is not one single laser that treats all of these.  You will need a combination of treatments such as Thermage and eMatrix and Microneedling with PRP to treat all of these issues.  I prefer Thermage for skin tightening and eMatrix and Fraxel for acne scars.  Scars may also require fillers and Sculptra to help produce new collagen. Please consult an expert in scars and skin tightening to help with the best cosmetic results.  Best, Dr. Green

Martie Gidon, MD, FRCPC, FAAD · Answer

You are describing textural concerns and a laser treatment would be better than Thermage which is effective for skin tightening.  You could start with microneedling or a gentle laser such as the Clear and Brilliant laser to see how your skin tolerates it.  You then may be able to advance to the Fraxel laser.  Please consult a cosmetic dermatologist who offers these treatments and who can decide what would be best for you.

Shaun Patel, MD · Answer

It's hard to comment on your specific case without seeing a photo or evaluating you in person. When it comes to nonsurgical skin tightening, I prefer Thermage FLX which is a radiofrequency based skin tightening treatment. You can combine this with microneedling which would resurface the skin and help with acne scars and enlarged pores.

Which treatment is best for acne scars, skin laxity, open pores, dry & uneven skin tone? Redensity 1, Thermage or Exilis Elite?

Answers (4)

Answer: Thermage and microneedling for skin tightening, enlarged pores and acne scars

Answer: Thermage and microneedling for skin tightening, enlarged pores and acne scars

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about RHA Redensity

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

Which treatment is best for acne scars, skin laxity, open pores, dry & uneven skin tone? Redensity 1, Thermage or Exilis Elite?

Answers (4)

Answer: Thermage and microneedling for skin tightening, enlarged pores and acne scars

Answer: Thermage and microneedling for skin tightening, enlarged pores and acne scars

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about RHA Redensity

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