Acne Scar Treatment

Acne Scar Treatment

Acne is a common skin condition, especially among teenagers. However, not everyone develops the scarring that can occur after outbreaks, and it can be almost impossible to predict which patients will scar. Because there are many ways to treat acne scarring, it is important that patients choose a dermatologic surgeon who is skilled at a wide variety of procedures. Likewise, other types of scars can be very difficult to manage and improve, and choosing the right physician is an important step towards clinical success.

Our Boston area acne patients have many different types of acne scars. Deep pits that develop following an acne lesion are called “ice pick scars,” and are a classic sign of acne scarring. Angular scars (boxcar scars) usually occur on the temple and cheeks, and can be either superficial or deep. Scars that give the skin an undulating appearance are known as “rolling scars.” Many patients require a combination of treatments for the best results.

If your concern is active acne, learn more about treatments we offer.

Before & After Photos of Acne Scar Treatment

Acne scarring	After a series of fractional laser treatments (Fraxel re:store)

Our physicians are recognized world leaders in the management of scars. Because each patient is unique, it requires a special set of skills to properly evaluate and manage patients with scars. SkinCare Physicians has the most recent and innovative techniques and equipment needed to treat our patients. The physicians and staff will carefully evaluate your skin and develop a comprehensive treatment program.

In some cases, several physicians with varied areas of expertise are needed to maximally improve your skin. This is particularly true with scars. One of the advantages of coming to SkinCare Physicians is that our physicians have the expertise and work together, often on the same day, to provide you with the most complete care available.

If you are considering acne scar treatment in the Boston area, our team of medical professionals can help. Request a consultation online or contact us at (617) 731-1600 to schedule your appointment.

Scar Revision

Traumatic, accidental, old and new scars can often benefit from surgical intervention. Available treatments include surgical revision and excision, and intralesional or topical therapy. For many patients, a combination approach is indicated. Some scars may not improve significantly with treatment, and our staff will take the time to explain to you the possible risks and benefits of treatment, as well as the likelihood of success. Fortunately, most scars will improve with intervention, and the results can sometimes be amazing.

Rolling Acne Scars

Rolling scars are undulations that occur in acne prone skin. These are often the scars that are most noticeable in varying types of room lighting. Injection with soft tissue fillers such as Restylane or Juvederm may provide temporary relief from rolling scars. It is often best to use fillers in combination with other cosmetic procedures. Subcision is a procedure during which tethered scars are gently released to improve skin contour. Rolling scars can be a challenge to treat, and it is important to choose surgeons skilled in many different procedures to maximize your treatment options. Scars may also be significantly improved with fractional resurfacing lasers such as the Fraxel laser.

Boxcar Acne Scars

Boxcar scars are small, clearly defined indentations in the skin. They occur all over the face, most notably on the temples and cheeks. Treatment of shallow boxcar scars can be accomplished with laser skin resurfacing, but deeper boxcar scars are best removed surgically. Direct excision with suturing, as well as elevation of the scar with use of a surgical adhesive to fix the newly flattened scar in place, are just two of the many treatment options available. Boxcar scars also often respond well to Fraxel laser treatments. Various techniques are available, and our team of physicians will work together to develop a comprehensive treatment plan for acne scars.

Ice Pick Acne Scars

There is really only one successful treatment for ice pick scars: surgical removal. As many as 15-20 scars can be removed in one session. Following the surgical removal of ice pick scars, most patients benefit from skin resurfacing using one of several lasers. The laser treatments result in soft, smooth, unscarred skin by removing surface layers of the skin. The laser treatment is usually performed 6 to 12 weeks after surgical removal of the scars so that the area where the scars have been removed will improve maximally. Occasionally, the surgical excision of the scars is performed immediately after laser resurfacing. Patients notice a dramatic improvement 4 to 6 weeks after the procedure.

Laser Resurfacing for Acne Scars

Laser resurfacing is one of the most useful techniques in the treatment of acne scarring. With this procedure, thin layers of skin are removed, layer after layer, until the scars improve or disappear. At the same time the skin tightens to help smooth out the scars. Laser resurfacing is often combined with one or several other treatments for acne scars, and this combination approach consistently yields superior results compared to other therapies. In most cases, the surgical treatment of scars is completed prior to laser resurfacing. The laser treatment is scheduled 6 to 12 weeks after the last surgical treatment to allow your skin time to heal and remodel. Laser resurfacing is superb for treating shallow boxcar scars, as well as for smoothing and tightening scars that have been treated with other surgical modalities such as subcision and excision. For individuals who are interested in laser treatment of acne scars, but would like a less invasive procedure, non-ablative resurfacing with Fraxel lasers offers the potential for significant improvement.

Fractional Laser Resurfacing

Non-ablative fractional laser resurfacing with the Fraxel Restore is our most popular laser treatment for acne scars.  Performed as a series of five or six treatments about once a month, Fraxel laser treatments help to smooth acne scars and fine to moderate wrinkles. One hour of topical numbing cream is applied prior to the procedure and sunburn-like redness and swelling for several days are usually the only after effects of this very effective procedure. Often we will utilize the Fraxel Restore laser for other types of scars, such as those appearing after trauma or surgery. When scars are thickened or pink, we may also recommend the Fraxel Repair laser, which is a slightly deeper penetrating laser that can soften and smooth firm scars. At SkinCare Physicians, we have extensive experience in the treatment of scarring and can provide improvement for most cases.

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At SkinCare Physicians, our patients are fortunate to have access to the best of all worlds. Our surgeons are experts at removing deeper scars and making them dramatically less noticeable. We also have on staff some of the world’s leading laser resurfacing experts who can improve or remove the scars that remain. This combination approach yields results that are consistently excellent, setting a new standard of care in this area. To get started, request a consultation online today.