There are several acne scar treatment options that range from at home Medical Grade topical retinol acne scar removal products to professionally administered acne scar laser procedures. While patience is important, the key to reducing acne scarring is to be proactive.
An important step in treating acne scars is to first reduce active acne, which is essential in order to limit continued acne scarring. Specialist, Dr. Amanda Patenaude can tailor a skin treatment for acne regimen for you using a number of effective acne treatments. Although certain scar removal treatments can be started as soon as acne is resolved, it is better to wait to allow your skin to start the healing process to minimize the number and frequency of treatments. However, waiting too long can be problematic as it allows old acne scars to become fully remodeled and healed.
Since approximately 95% of acne sufferers end up with permanent acne scarring that causes both hyperpigmentation (brown and red marks) and pitted scars, its impact, emotionally and psychologically, is substantial: acne scarring is a risk factor for suicide and is linked to poor self-esteem, depression, anxiety, embarrassment, anger, and even unemployment.
Different types of acne scars;
Acne scars are not all the same. There are four different types, each classified in terms of appearance:
- Boxcar Scars: These are round or square skin depressions, typically with sharp edges
- Icepick Scars: Appear similar to puncture marks within the skin
- Hypertrophic Scars: These are raised/textured scars that are firm to the touch
- Rolling Scars: Wide and shallow skin indentations, typically round in appearance
Acne scar removal treatment
Medical grade topical retinol skin care regimens
A proper Medical grade skin care regimen is essential to improving the overall health, texture and tones of the skin. Typically used in tandem with other treatments, our medical grade skin care products optimize and prolong the benefits of our acne scarring treatments including fractional laser scar treatment, dermal fillers, and subcision.
Dr. Patenaude recommends an advanced skin care line backed by science, committed to the highest, medical grade formulation standards. Zo Obagi acne products not only fight and prevent acne, but they also help improve the skin’s acne scarring by lightening dark spots, evening skin tone, and firming complexions.
ZO Obagi Retinol skin care uses a 1.0% concentration of retinol. For retinol to be topically effective, it must reach a concentration of at least 0.6% in the skin. Currently the strongest over the counter retinol products available are at a concentration of 0.21%. By “layering” retinol, ZO Obagi Retinol Skin Health program delivers the optimal amount of retinol to the skin creating a clearer, smoother, tighter, firmer skin texture after only a few weeks of daily use.
Treatment for scars (acne scars)
Although topical products can help reduce discoloration (redness and hyperpigmentation) and scar appearance, professional treatments at a medical office may be necessary for more aggressive or stubborn scars.
Acne scar laser treatment
Fractional resurfacing Lasers can treat both discoloration and texture issues stemming from acne scarring. SkinRhümMD’s MCL30 laser, for example, is a great acne scar laser removal treatment for addressing raised scars while also stimulating collagen synthesis to decrease the appearance of a scar with minimal downtime.
Dermal Fillers
Soft tissue dermal fillers, such as Restylane, can help to reduce the visible appearance of deep acne scars. However, since fillers absorb into the skin over time they will require upkeep in for the form of maintenance treatments about every 12-18 months.
Micro-Needling
Micro-needling or Selphyl treatments (also known as Collagen Induction Therapy) creates small channels in the skin to help stimulate collagen synthesis. This leads to formation of new tissue and releases the skin’s natural growth factors which promote scar and hyperpigmentation repair and healing over the course of 3-5 treatments.
Subcision
For more severe acne scarring, a surgical procedure called subcision can be performed by your skin specialist, which consists of inserting a needle to help break up scar tissue to reduce atrophic (or bowed down) appearance of skin.
SkinRhümMD offers the most advanced acne scar laser treatment and medical grade skin care regimens for the treatment of scars under the supervision of Skin Specialist, Dr. Amanda Patenaude.
If you would like to find out which facial scar treatment would be beneficial for your skin, schedule a complimentary consultation with our knowledgable experienced laser technician today.
204-894-7486