Acne Scarring Treatments

Comprehensive acne scar treatment will determine a plan of treatments that best suits your needs. The optimal treatment approach for acne scarring depends upon the type of scarring and is often a combination of several techniques. Visit our dermatology clinic in Beverly Hills to see how we can help you relieve your stress about acne scarring.

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Acne affects more than 80% of the population over the course of our lifetimes. Contrary to popular belief, acne is not a condition limited to teenagers. Inflammation related to active acne can lead to scarring, red and brown skin discoloration (“post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation” or PIH), textural irregularities, and enlarged pores.

The optimal treatment approach for acne scarring depends upon the type of scarring and is often a combination of several techniques. The following treatments can be used alone or in combination to lessen the appearance of acne scarring:

Topical Creams:

Lightening agents (azelaic acid, kojic acid, and hydroquinone) and retinoids (tretinoin and retinol) can be used at home to treat the ruddy, brown discoloration related to acne scarring.

Chemical Peels:

Salicylic acid treats not only the ruddy, brown discoloration associated with PIH, but also penetrates into the oil glands to treat active acne and to prevent new acne from forming. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) can also be administered carefully in high concentrations to treat individual icepick scars.

Subscision:

This technique involves inserting a needle with a tiny blade at the end of it into areas of depressed acne scars to release the underlying scar tissue from “tethering down” boxcar and rolling acne scars. Subscission is often performed during the same session as microneedling, radiofrequency + microneedling, and/or fractionated CO₂ laser to achieve optimal improvement.

Microneedling and Radiofrequency Microneedling:

Microneedling causes “controlled wounding” of the skin. This involves using thin needles to mechanically remodel the skin, stimulating increased production of hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin. The final effect is improved texture and tone of the skin with an overall decrease in pore size. Adding radiofrequency to microneedling amplifies production and remodeling of collagen and elastin, which results in even more skin tightening

Lasers and Light Treatments:

Fillers:

Small droplets of strategically-injected filler can be used to raise depressed acne scars.

Injection Treatment:

Thickened, hard acne scars are referred to hypertrophic scars and keloids. These are best treated by focal injections of steroids and/or 5-fluoruracil. Injection therapy softens and flattens out these thicker acne scars

Surgical Excision:

This technique involves using a circular blade to remove icepick scars (tiny, but deep scars) that are often resistant to other treatments. After the depressed scar is popped out, a tiny stitch is placed in the area and is subsequently removed after a week.

In summary, Dr. Kiripolsky uses the most technologically-advanced methods on the market to optimally treat various types of acne scarring. And, often a combination of the above treatments is ideal to achieve maximal improvement in the appearance of acne scars. Each treatment regimen is formulated specifically for you and the type(s) of acne scarring that you have.

If you are interested in discussing treatment options for active acne and/or discoloration or scarring from prior acne, please call 424-652-6563 to schedule your appointment at our dermatology clinic in Beverly Hills. Monika Kiripolsky passionate about partnering with you to make your skin as flawless as possible.