Scars from Acne are a tough reminder of a time you’d rather forget. Unfortunately, unlike acne, which usually goes away on its own, scars don’t.
The only way to permanently improve acne scarring from the “inside out” is to use the new collagen your body produces.
The challenge lies in choosing the correct procedure for your skin. Collagen creation can be activated in more than one way.
By “wounding” the skin.
It can seem crazy to purposefully hurt skin that’s already been hurt, but that’s what it takes. Lasers and laser-like devices are an increasingly effective method for controlled wounding just up to the point that the body responds by sending in new collagen-creating function. Because the process is controlled, the response is controlled too.
With a laser such as Fraxel or a Radio Frequency device such as Genius RF, skin is heated to the specified response level, and newly formed collagen begins to fill the depressed scars, lifting them to a plane closer to unscarred skin. The body has a remarkable healing capability, and these devices were developed to take advantage of that capability.
Fraxel has been a go-to since its FDA clearance for acne scars in 2006. It’s an excellent option for patients with skin that is not prone to pigmentation.
However, not all patients have an ideal skin type for laser. If that’s you, alternative devices that utilize radio frequency, like Genius, become the less risky option. Your skin still gets the collagen-spurring heat, but it’s delivered in a way that essentially bypasses the pigment-producing skin layer. Non-heat devices such as standard SkinPen microneedling can also provide improvement (though on a lesser scale).
Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald’s technology team includes our Harvard-trained, Board-Certified dermatologists Dr. Ray Jalian and Dr. Helen Fincher and our Nurse Practitioner Angela Sarff. All have long-term experience and excellent success with the vast array of technology in our office.
Schedule a consultation to fully understand the potential for acne scar improvement at our Larchmont Village practice. Call 323-464-8046 or complete a call-back form below.
