Acne scarring is a permanent condition, but with the help of a highly qualified specialist and an effective treatment plan you can achieve dramatic improvement. There are a number of acne scar procedures available that are designed for different levels of skin damage.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is a surgical procedure that utilizes a rotating brush that contains abrading materials, to remove the acne scars from the surface and soften the appearance and texture of the skin. Before the procedure, the skin specialist will thoroughly cleanse the skin and then numb the area using a cold spray or a local anesthetic. Post treatment, the skin will be pink or lightly red in appearance and may feel sunburnt. Healing time can last an average of 8-14 days.
Laser Resurfacing (Fraxel)
Fraxel is a state-of-the-art laser technology that penetrates deep into the dermis to create a controlled level of damage to the skin. The surface layer is then removed which then stimulates the body's restorative abilities to produce new, healthy skin and collagen in its place. Fraxel may require 4-6 treatments to see results and requires minimal downtime.
Fillers
Fillers can help improve acne scars that have lost skin tissue and are pitted and sunken in appearance. The filler is injected into the scar to add volume and smooth out the skin. Results can be seen almost immediately and can last for several months. There are a variety of fillers available to treat acne scars. These include:
• Hyaluronic acid fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm, and Perlane
• Human collagen fillers such as Cosmoderm
• Fat Injections, harvested from the patient’s body fat
Thermage
Thermage is a non-surgical procedure that uses radio frequency energy to soften and reduce the appearance of acne scars. Thermage works by heating the deep layers of the dermis to tighten and contour the skin while smoothing away imperfections.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels use a combination of safe chemicals that exfoliate the top layers of the skin in order to remove the surface damage and make room for fresh, healthy skin to emerge. There are a number of peels available designed for specific degrees of acne scarring. The deeper the peel is the more effective the results will be and the longer it will take for the skin recover. Before determining which procedure will provide the most improvement to your appearance, your practitioner will do a careful analysis of your skin and from there will determine the best course of treatment for you.
