There are many patients who after years of acne or after a severe bout of acne develop unsightly post acne scarring. Scars can appear of the face, back or even forearms. Cheeks are the most affected area from the scarring. There might be presence of ice pick scars, boxcars or rolling scars. These type of atrophic scars result in patients having uneven skin texture.
For improving the scars we need to stimulate the collage production in that area which is done by creating micro injuries in the dermal layer of the skin which in turn results in activation of fibroblasts and also stimulates collagen production.
We have also created this video covering all you must know about acne scars & their treatment.
There are various modalities which can be use to improve the appearance of acne scars are listed below:
Microneedling with Dermaroller
At Zolie we use a Dermaroller with multiple small needles which cause tiny punctures in the skin and trigger the production of collagen and elastin .Due to the stimulation of this collagen production the post acne scars tend to improve.
PROCEDURE:
- Cleansing to remove oil and dirt
- We apply a numbing cream on the face which remains on the skin for 45 minutes for its effect to set in.
- We then remove the numbing cream and clean the face with spirit and betadine.
- Microneedling is done with the dermaroller all over the face and more so in the areas of scarring.
- Ice is them applied to soothe the skin and decrease the redness.
- An anti inflammatory cream and sunscreen is applied in the end and the patient is good to go.
Duration: 70-75 minutes
Microneedling Radiofrequency
Microneedling Radiofrequency or MnRF employs use of a tip which has multiple small microneedles which when are applied on the skin to varying depths along with the RF leads to stimulation of collagen synthesis.
PROCEDURE:
- Cleansing the skin to remove oil and dirt
- We apply a numbing cream on the face which remains for 45 minutes till its effect sets in.
- We then remove the numbing cream and clean the face with spirit and betadine.
- Microneedling is done with MnRF all over the face and more so in the areas of scarring.
- Ice is them applied to soothe the skin and decrease the redness.
- An anti inflammatory cream and sunscreen is applied in the end and the patient is good to go.
Duration: 70-75 minutes
Non Ablative Fractional Laser
Fractional non ablative laser produces micro canals in the skin leading to stimulation of collagen and elastin production and improvement in the scars.
PROCEDURE:
- Cleaning the skin
- Application of Numbing cream for 45 minutes
- Removing the numbing cream
- We usually give a single pass of the laser on the face and areas of scarring
- Application of ice to decrease the redness and inflammation
- Anti inflammatory and sunscreen application and the patient is good to go.