Acne is a common skin problem that affects your appearance and can cause emotional distress. Although acne can go away with treatment, it often leaves unsightly scars that remind you of your skin condition. Getting rid of acne scars Fort Worth can be challenging since no single treatment is best for everyone. For this reason, your specialists use one or more of the following approaches to improve your skin’s appearance. Your specialist considers your skin type, scar type, and acne severity before formulating an individualized treatment plan.
Chemical peel
A chemical peel is a procedure whereby your provider applies a solution to the scar tissue and minimizes the appearance of deeper scars. Three chemical peels are light/superficial, medium, and deep. Your specialist recommends treatment depending on the severity of your acne scars. For a light chemical peel, subsequent treatments may be needed for optimal results. But if you have a deep chemical peel, one treatment is usually all you need before seeing improvements. However, a deep chemical peel damages the middle layer of your skin so that you will require more downtime than a light chemical peel.
Laser resurfacing
Laser resurfacing is a facial rejuvenation procedure that your specialist may use if you had previously treated scars with dermabrasion. Your doctor may use an ablative or non-ablative laser during treatment. An ablative laser removes your epidermis and heats the underlying skin, stimulating the growth of collagen fibers to improve skin firmness and texture. The second type of laser is non-ablative; unlike ablative lasers, this one is less aggressive, has a shorter recovery period, and causes mild side effects. However, the results are usually not as noticeable as with ablative lasers. Examples of side effects after using an ablative laser include infection, scarring, and skin color changes.
Discussing your doctor will help establish if you are a good candidate for laser resurfacing. Your specialist may caution against this treatment if you have active acne, a history of keloids or previous laser resurfacing, a weak immune system, and had radiation therapy to the face.
Microneedling
Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a cosmetic procedure that uses tiny sharp needles to cause micro-injuries to your skin. As a natural response, the body sends large collagen surges to the wounded areas for healing. As collagen production increases, your skin becomes firm, and acne appearance may reduce. Although microneedling is a safe procedure, it should only be performed by a skilled dermatologist. Home microneedling devices are available today so that people can perform the process themselves. However, home microneedling may not give you the best result and poses an infection risk.
Soft tissue fillers
Your provider may inject fat, collagen, or other substances beneath your skin to plump the skin over the indented scars. Adding volume to your skim makes acne scars less visible, improving your appearance. Because the results are temporary, subsequent treatments are needed to retain the effect. Soft tissue fillers have little risk of hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation.
If you have acne scars, book an appointment with your specialist at Northstar Dermatology for treatment to improve your appearance and boost your confidence.
