A lot of us have dealt with acne in our youth and depending on the severity of it, we are now left with scars that come in all different forms. “We at Sanova care for your well-being and want to share seven different options for treating specific types of scars,” states Kaitlin Scharmann, aesthetician at Sanova Dermatology in Austin, Texas. Please remember to always seek a dermatologist’s or medical professional’s opinion to determine the best treatment.
Physicians perform services such as subcision, mini-excision, injectable fillers, and laser resurfacing to help improve and reduce the appearance of acne scarring.
Subcision
“Boxcar acne scars are more indented, wider scars that are very common,” Scharmann shares. Deeper scars may be more difficult to reduce but subcision can improve the appearance and severity. While more invasive than laser resurfacing, a local anesthetic is used to numb the skin while a hypodermic needle is inserted in the skin surface. The needle is used to break fibrous tissues that hold the scar down. More information along with a detailed video can be found here.
Mini-Excision
For deeper boxcar scars or scars that are raised, mini-excisions will actually surgically cut out and remove the scar. Most likely, this will need to be combined with other techniques to diminish the smaller scar that is formed. Read about how the mini-excision works here.
Injectable Fillers
Another option for deeper boxcar scars is injectable fillers. “This is a technique most common for anti-aging treatments but can be used to fill in deeper scars to improve the skin’s texture,” says Scharmann.
Nurses and medical aestheticians perform services such as laser resurfacing, chemical peels, dermabrasion, and microneedling to help improve and reduce the appearance of acne scarring.
Laser Resurfacing
Sanova provides three different laser options: Pulse Dye and Diode Lasers which targets new collagen growth in blood vessels to diminish red discoloration in scars; Fractional Lasers which are directed at restoring collagen in the epidermal and dermal layers of skin; and CO2 Laser Resurfacing which removes outer skin layers, stimulating new collagen growth. More information can be found here on laser resurfacing.
Chemical Peels
“Along with diminishing discoloration from acne scars, it also works to reduce signs of aging including brown and improving the overall tone and texture of your skin,” Scharmann states. Total Face Chemical Peel and CROSS technique are two options Sanova provides. CROSS peels target each acne scar specifically to build collagen and flatten the appearance of the scar, giving a more even texture to the skin.
Dermabrasion
Hyperpigmentation and rolling acne scars, which leave the skin with an uneven bumpy texture, are often improved with dermabrasion. “Rather than using a chemical to enhance the skin’s surface, dermabrasion uses surgical instruments to remove the top layers of the skin so that it can regenerate,” Scharmann mentions. More information here.
Microneedling
Using medical-grade needles to induce microscopic perforations in the skin stimulates collagen to rebuild itself. This is a technique that is done in a series, so it may take a few appointments before the patient will see results.
Choosing which option is best for your skin depends on several factors: how you received the scars, the severity of the scarring, and what you are looking for in terms of healing and price. It is also important to note that multiple, typically three to 6 treatments are needed in order to see the best results. A consultation with your dermatologist to evaluate your skin and listen to your needs is crucial in determining the proper treatment. “Sunscreen and maintaining a healthy skincare routine is also essential in preventing any skin issues,” urges Scharmann.
Contact Us
Interested in finding out which option is best for your skin? Contact us today to schedule a consultation!