Acne Scar Removal

For some people acne is only a nuisance they have to deal with in their teen years. For others, it is a problem that stays with them for the rest of their lives. Even if the acne heals, in certain skin types and following certain at-home treatments, it leaves scars and hollows in the face that can be quite visible. Acne scars are a real aesthetic concern for many adults who come to consult with Dr. Frank at his New York office.

Acne causes an inflammation in the dermis. This creates a wound which the dermis tries to heal itself by adding collagen to the area. The problem starts when too much collagen is applied in the trouble spot and this causes an indentation or a bump on the surface of the skin which becomes a noticeable scar.

Since acne scars are very different amongst patients, there is no "best" treatment. Although chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and creams have been used in the past to treat acne scars, they are limited in their efficacy. To date, fractional resurfacing lasers, both ablative and non-ablative, in conjunction with fillers are the standard of care. In our practice we use the Fraxel Restore Dual® and the Fraxel Repair® often with Silicone Microinjections. On occasion chemical acids such as TCA are used for ice pick scars. In general, non-ablative lasers that are non-fractional have proven very limited in efficacy. Examples of these technologies are the SmoothBeam™ and the CoolTouch® lasers. IPL technology has little to no benefit as well. VBeam® vascular lasers can be used for chronically red scars very effectively and should be used before fractional resurfacing technologies.

VBeam is a laser treatment for scars, broken capillaries, and veins. An intense ray of light destroys these blood vessels, targeting red veins rather than blue ones. The procedure has minimal downtime and side effects. It is important to note that people who suffer from poor blood circulation or diabetes are not a good candidate for this procedure.

Fraxel Restore Dual® and Fraxel Repair® are two laser resurfacing treatments that help to smooth/eliminate scars and wrinkles by creating trauma to the skin which then causes the skin to generate new, healthy skin tissue. The procedures are very effective, require a few days of downtime but have minimal side effects. It is a preferred method of treatment for Dr. Frank because patients can space the treatments over time and see significant improvements after each session.

Silicone Microdroplets can be injected to fill acne scar depressions. Tiny amounts of non-reactive pure silicone are injected over time (a month is required between sessions to allow natural collagen formation) to rebuild volume and reach smooth skin surface.

Dermapen is a new device which uses miniscule needles to create micro injuries to the impacted area. The treatment can break scar tissue and encourage the creation of new collagen and improved blood supply via fragmented delivery. This option is less aggressive than Fraxel and can be combined with other treatment options. On average five or six treatments are needed to remove acne scars and to improve your skin's texture and health.

Dr. Frank is proud to offer proven, varied and cutting-edge treatment options for patients that are interested in acne scar removal. When you come to a cosmetic consultation with Dr. Frank in his NYC location, he will examine your skin, discuss your medical history and work on identifying the causes of your acne scars, their types as well as create a combination of treatments that will effectively improve the situation. During the consultation, Dr. Frank will walk you through the treatment process, explain what to expect as far as downtime. If you decide to follow his treatment suggestions, he will provide you with pre and post procedure instructions. If you have specific questions or to schedule a consultation please feel free to call the office of Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank at New York's 5th Avenue Dermatology Surgery and Laser Center at 212-327-2919.