Acne Scar Treatments

The key to managing acne scarring is, first and foremost, controlling the inflammatory acne that can further scarring. We highly recommend medical prescription or laser treatments to manage your acne first before treating scarring.

• Ice Pick Scars: deep, narrow, pitted scars
• Boxcar Scars: broad depressions with sharply defined edges
• Atrophic and Rolling Scars: broad depressions with gently sloping edges
• Hypertrophic Scars: thick, raised, lumpy scars
• Red scars
• Hyperpigmented scars
• Hypopigmented scars

• TCA CROSS
• Punch excision
• Co2 laser

• TCA CROSS
• Punch elevation
• CO2 laser
• Subcision
• Biostimulatory injections
• Dermal fillers

• Subcision
• CO2 laser
• Fractional resurfacing RF
• Biostimulatory injections
• Dermal fillers

• Intralesional injections with prescription medications
• Vascular Laser
• CO2 resurfacing Laser
• CO2 laser assisted medication delivery

• Vascular Laser
• Nanofractional RF resurfacing

• Chemical peels
• Pigment-inhibiting creams
• Q-switched laser
• Picosecond laser (Picosure Pro)
• Superficial resurfacing laser

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These tend to be challenging to treat. Dermatologists use a resurfacing laser in combination with pigment stimulating medication.

We have a number of different methods and options available to treat acne scars. These include:

• TriChloroacetic Acid Chemical Reconstruction of Skin Scars (TCA CROSS) is our treatment of choice for ice pick acne scars and large, deep pores.
  

• Subcision is a procedure that uses either a blunt or a sharp needle to separate the thickened scar tissue from the underlying tissue. Subcision is a highly effective treatment for tethered scars.

• Laser Resurfacing: treatment with fractional CO2 laser and/or a 1927nm thulium laser that removes damaged cells and stimulates collagen production.  
  

• Radio frequency resurfacing: an energy based device associated with little downtime that stimulates collagen remodelling to treat rolling scars; suitable for both light and dark skin types.
  

• Punch Elevation: a surgical procedure in which the scar is lifted to match the surface level of the skin, making it less noticeable; best for boxcar scars with sharp edges.
  

• Punch Excision: a surgical technique that excises the scar using a small punch tool; ideal for deep ice pick scars and narrow, deep boxcar scars.
  

• Vascular Laser: a laser that improves red marks left behind by old acne lesions; recommended for predominantly red scars.
  

• Biostimulatory injections: these injections use either hyaluronic acid or polynucleotides to stimulate fibroblasts to produce collagen in the skin.
  

• Dermal Fillers: dermal fillers can be injected into the scarred area to fill in an indented scar and create a smoother surface; recommended for persistently depressed scars.
  

• Pigment Laser: a laser that specifically targets post-inflammatory pigmentation left by acne.
  

• Intralesional injections involve administering steroids or 5-fluorouracil directly into a thickened/raised scar to break down excess collagen and prevent further collagen growth.
  

• Skin Needling: a gentle, lower cost treatment that stimulates the body’s natural healing and collagen production processes by using ultra-fine needles to create tiny wounds in the skin. Results are less reliable than lasers or energy based devices. Can be used for early scarring.

General management of scars may involve of the following:

• Prescription Topical Cream: topical prescription treatments that can improve acne scarring include retinoids (derived from vitamin A), pigment lightening cream and steroid cream.
  

• Silicone Gels: The application of medical-grade silicone products can help flatten and soften raised scars by increasing hydration and regulating collagen synthesis.
  

• Sun Protection: Fresh scar tissue is delicate and vulnerable to a condition called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation; use sunscreen and wear protective clothing to shield new scars from UV exposure.