What treatments are available for acne scarring?
Acne Scarring before and after IPL and Fraxel Laser*
Treatments for Acne Scarring
Skin Needling
SkinPen Collagen Induction Therapy offers an alternative to Fraxel and Erbium Lasers, for those who cannot afford the cost or the down-time associated with these stronger treatments. During the treatment, hundreds of superficial micro-channels are created every few seconds, stimulating collagen and elastin production, reducing the appearance of scarring. Local anaesthetic cream may be required on the skin prior to treatment – you will then usually just notice a scratching sensation as the Skinpen is passed over the skin. A course of 3 – 6 treatments is required, with improvement continuing in the months after treatment is completed. There is no down-time, though your skin may be a little pink for several hours after the treatment.
SkinPen needling is suitable for mild grades of acne scarring and works best when scarring is recent.
Fraxel Laser
Fraxel Dual 1550 Laser has been used by us for many years for the treatment of scarring. Fraxel Laser produces microscopic columns of heat, that penetrate deep in the skin, stimulating a healing response. These microscopic treatment zones are interspersed with areas of normal skin, meaning recovery is rapid and treatment is very safe on all skin types. A local anaesthetic cream is applied to the skin prior to treatment. 3 – 5 treatments are usually required with improvement seen over the course. Redness and swelling will be seen for 2-3 days following treatment, with a sunburn like peeling occurring on day 4 – 5. Fraxel laser is also most effective on recent scarring. For older scars we recommend erbium laser resurfacing. Editing text here
Erbium Laser Resurfacing
The erbium laser produces an infrared wavelength of light which ablates or vaporises the skin. The treatment strength determines the depth of this ablation. Strong treatments are needed for deep scarring. The erbium laser may also be used in a dot or fractional mode, and this has the benefit of quicker recovery. Fractional mode treatment is sometimes preferred for severe scarring. Â
Skin Smoothing Injections
Injections of a gel substance to lift acne scars is a very useful treatment option. This treatment may not help for raised, lumpy or hypertrophic scars. Using a small very needle we can inject small amounts of stabilised gel into the scar. This lifts and smooths the scar. Effects are often seen immediately and persist for over 12 months in most cases. There are very few problems associated with this treatment – some mild swelling and an occasional bruise are the only things commonly seen. With repeated treatment the effects last longer. Gel injection treatment may not help in severe grades of scarring. It can also be combined with other treatments such as erbium resurfacing.
More information about Acne Scarring Treatments
Red Acne Scarring
The redness associated with acne will usually fade with time, but this process can be sped up by IPL Rejuvenation. A course of IPL Rejuvenation is simple and effective. For most redness, 3 – 4 treatments will be required with around 4 weeks between each treatment. IPL will also assist to improve and eliminated any ongoing acne present. Update text here.
Depressed or Pitted Scarring
This is the type of scarring most commonly associated with acne, and often a combination of these are present. At Skin Resus we see great results from a number of our treatments:
- Fraxel Dual 1550 Laser has been used by us for many years for the treatment of scarring. Fraxel Laser produces microscopic columns of heat, that penetrate deep in the skin, stimulating a healing response. These microscopic treatment zones are interspersed with areas of normal skin, meaning recovery is rapid and treatment is very safe on all skin types. A local anaesthetic cream is applied to the skin prior to treatment. 3 – 5 treatments are usually required with improvement seen over the course. Redness and swelling will be seen for 2-3 days following treatment, with a sunburn like peeling occurring on day 4 – 5.
- Erbium Laser Resurfacing is a significantly stronger treatment, with results seen after 1 – 2 treatments. Anaesthetic cream and oral analgesics are used prior to treatment, and you will need to get a lift home. There is considerably more down-time after the Erbium, most often 7 – 10 days, with notable redness, swelling and crusting seen for the first 4-5 days. Vaseline is applied to the skin at this time as a protective barrier and to keep the area from drying out. After 7 days, makeup can usually be worn, and the skin will rapidly improve, though redness can persist for many months after.
- SkinPen Collagen Induction Therapy offers an alternative to Fraxel and Erbium Lasers, for those who cannot afford the cost or the down-time associated with these stronger treatments. During the treatment, hundreds of superficial micro-channels are created every few seconds, stimulating collagen and elastin production, reducing the appearance of scarring. No local anaesthetic is required – you will usually just notice a scratching sensation as the Skinpen is passed over the skin. A course of 3 – 6 treatments is required, with improvement continuing in the months after treatment is completed. There is no down-time, though your skin may be a little pink for several hours after the treatment.
- Dermal Fillers may also be used to treat acne scarring. This is a simple procedure and involves the injection of tiny amounts of filler under the skin to lift the depressed areas. Results are seen immediately and while there is usually no down-time, an occasional bruise may be seen. Fillers last from 9-12 months.
- Subscision is useful for the treatment of tethered or bound-down scars in the cheeks, temples and forehead. A number of subscision techniques are available using either a blunt cannula or a sharp needle to free scar tissue. Subscision is a relatively painless procedure with a quick recovery time. The cannula or needle is inserted through the skin surface and probing of tethered scar tissue performed to free the skin. The use of non-permanent filler at the same time can assist in healing and scar improvement. Bruising is the main short-term side-effect of the procedure.
What treatment is right for me?
The best way to find out which acne scar treatment is right for you is to come in for a free consultation with one of our Registered Nurses. They will look at your skin and advise on the best treatment to suit your scarring, lifestyle and budget. Most often with acne scarring, multiple treatments will be required, and a combination of treatments can give a great result.
All laser treatments at Skin Resus are done by one of our very experienced Doctors, with a focus on safety and effectiveness.
