Acne is a skin condition that affects up to 80% of people in their teens and twenties, and up to 5% of older adults. While many people recover from acne without any permanent effects, some people are left with deep scars and depressions, which can be psychologically and emotionally damaging. Treating acne scarring can lead to improved appearance, better self esteem, and promotion of skin health.
Multiple treatment options are available to improve acne scarring. The treatment plan is dependent on several factors, including the type of acne scars that you have and whether they are primarily on the surface or extend into the deeper layers of the skin. It is also important to assess each patient’s skin type to determine any risks or potential complications. During the initial consultation, our acne scarring specialist, Holly Shipley, PA-C, will discuss all of the possible treatment options and recommend a personalized treatment plan to optimize the eventual outcome.
While many ‘laser clinics’ and ‘medspas’ offer a number of laser and aesthetic treatments, experience and a physician’s supervision are often lacking. A patient should not underestimate the importance of being treated at a physician’s office when it comes to their treatments. Lasers and other energy-based devices can lead to serious complications if not used properly. At GreeneMD, laser treatments are performed by our Certified Physician Assistant, Holly Shipley.
We offer a number of treatments for patients who are interested in addressing their acne scars. During your consultation, we will examine your skin and discuss your particular concerns to determine which treatment is right for you. Often, patients will require multiple treatment modalities to achieve their optimal result.
Acne scars are an extremely difficult condition to treat, since they involve changes in the architecture of the skin. Because of this, treatments are not always successful. Treatment results may also be subtle, and all are temporary, requiring continued treatments to maintain the results.
Morpheus8 is a treatment that combines the use of small needles with radiofrequency heat to induce changes to the skin through the growth of new collagen. It is one of the most versatile treatments in our office, being able to treat a number of conditions, including acne scars.
The Cynosure Icon is a laser system that includes a 1540nm non-ablative laser. It can be used for a number of applications, from facial rejuvenation to acne scar treatment. The handpiece utilizes a built-in cooling technology to protect the outer skin and minimize any discomfort. During the first 24 hours after treatment, patients typically experience mild redness and swelling. Since the treatments are non-ablative and the skin surface is left intact, there is little to no downtime. Most patients return to work and other normal daily activities the following day.
Multiple treatments are required (typically 3-6) for acne scarring, regardless of the treatment modality. However, this is highly dependent on the severity of scarring and the condition of the skin. Deep scarring may even require additional treatments, as the response to treatment varies among patients. To maintain the result, additional maintenance treatments are generally necessary.
Patients with any degree of acne scarring are potential candidates for fractional non-ablative laser resurfacing or Morpheus8 treatment. However, deeper “ice-pick” scarring may require surgical excision or more invasive treatments. Patients who have taken Accutane in the past 12 months or have a history of keloid scarring should not undergo these treatments.
All treatments involve varying degrees of discomfort, though this is generally easily managed. To enhance comfort during the procedure, a specially formulated topical anesthetic is used. Following the procedure, patients often experience a ‘sunburned’ feeling that subsides, typically over two to three hours. Following this, most patients report little to no discomfort.