I know how frustrating acne can be, and when you finally got rid of it, you notice that it left unwanted scars behind. Luckily, there is treatment! So, cheer up and talk to your dermatologist about the perfect treatment tailored up only for you.

WHAT IN-OFFICE SOLUTIONS DO WE HAVE?

Well, first of all, I want to congratulate you on getting rid of active acne! I know it was a struggle, and you overcome it! Good job! Second, go only to a board-certified dermatologist as some treatments can be done only by professionals who know how to handle lasers or needles!

CHEMICAL PEELS

No, are not the ones you do at home while watching Emily in Paris on Netflix! These are strong substances that used wrong can do significant damage! So, the best thing to do is going to a professional to give you proper treatment! One of the best in the biz is TCA trichloroacetic acid that evens skin tone and texture, stimulating collagen production, thus being an excellent option for all types of acne scars.

MICRONEEDLING

Microneedling is one of the most preferred in-office procedures for mild acne scars. We use tiny needles that can penetrate the skin at different levels (depending on what we want to achieve), creating micro-injuries on the surface. The goal is to help with new collagen production that usually forms when we have open wounds, helping with scar improvement along the way. One of my favorite procedures is mixing microneedling with PRP (platelet-rich plasma). This means that we extract platelets from your blood, spin them really fast, and use them when microneedling. You might know it as “the vampire facial.” It has excellent results on stubborn acne scars.

It is pain-free, and your face may peel off. But don’t freak out this is normal as is part of your healing process. Meantime you need to protect yourself from the sun, use sunscreen daily and choose to stay indoors more. You will see improvements after 3-6 sessions.

LASER

Laser resurfacing is a procedure that removes the first layer of the skin, improving all types of acne scars. I see many patients that have high hopes about laser treatment. But you need to have patience and consistency as ice pick, and boxcar scars are challenging and hard to treat. I recommend non-ablative laser resurfacing for lighter skin tones, which stimulates collagen production, and infra-red Nd: YAG laser for darker skin tones.

Laser and microneedling have similar effects as they stimulate collagen production and wound healing. So, it is possible to peel off after laser treatment too. Wear sunscreen and avoid sun exposure during treatment. Depending on the severity of the scars, you may need anything from three to six or eight sessions to see a positive result.

FILLERS

Fillers work great for those who don’t want to experience lasers mild pain and downtime and need a quick fix for their scars. It is essential to know that fillers work on patients with a small number of atrophic scars like boxcar or rolling scars.

How do they work?

Well, your dermatologist will inject under the surface of your skin the right filler for you to help smooth out the scar. What you need to know is that fillers don’t last more than 6-12 months. After a few sessions, the result may become permanent.

INJECTIONS

Corticosteroids and 5-FU (fluorouracil) are the first choices for keloids or hypertrophic scars.
Visit your healthcare provider to see if you need this type of treatment.

Whatever treatment option you choose, you need to be patient! Patience and consistency is truly the KEY! It can take up to 6-8 months to see full results, as most of the treatment options stimulate collagen production, which naturally takes time.

 

With love,
Your dermatologist