Acne Scar Reduction / Acne Reduction in Rochester NY
People who have had acne can get scarring. This scarring can cause so many people angst, discomfort, and possibly embarrassment. Luckily, medical professionals have been developing new, non-invasive treatments that improve the clarity of the skin and reduce scars, if not get rid of them completely. This article will detail, information about acne and treatments for acne, helping millions of people with acne scarring.
Treatments for acne scars
There are many acne scar reduction treatments available. The type of treatment will depend on many different factors including the type of scarring and how prevalent it is on the skin.
Soft tissue fillers
Injecting collagen, fat or other approved substances under the skin can plump the skin over indented scars. The end result is scars look less noticeable. The downside is that the results are temporary, so repeat treatments are needed to retain the effect of less scarring.
Dermabrasion
This procedure is usually reserved for more severe scarring. Through a procedure a medical professional will remove the top layer of skin with a rapidly rotating brush or other device. Surface scars may be completely removed, and deeper acne scars may appear less noticeable. Potential severe side effects include further scarring and changes in skin color.
Chemical peel
A trained medical professional will apply a chemical solution to the scar tissue to remove the top layer of skin and minimize the appearance of deeper scars. The potential side effects are that scarring might not be removed completely and changes in skin color, especially with deep peels used on dark skin.
Microneedling
A medical professional will roll a needle-studded device over the skin to stimulate collagen formation in the underlying tissue. It's a safe, simple, and possibly effective technique for the reduction of acne scarring in Rochester, NY. It has minimal risk of discoloring the skin. According to a 2008 study, skin treated with four microneedling sessions spaced one month apart, produced up to a 400% increase in collagen and elastin six months after completing treatment (NCBI).
Benefits of microneedling
Microneedling, can improve texture, fine lines, pores, acne, and acne scars, and usually require multiple treatments. Specifically, microneedling is a good alternative to laser skin resurfacing and deep chemical peeling because it offers significant results with a quick recovery and few side effects. Patients might also notice that their skin feels tight, swollen, dry, or sensitive to the touch in the days immediately following the treatment, or it might flake away within the week and usually arent permanent at all.
How much does microneedling treatment cost?
The average ost for a microneedling treatment would be $675 for either each face neck or decolletage, 2-3 depending, Or, it will be $2025 if a patient needs several treatments (buy 3 get one free), for the face, neck, or decolletage.
Before
After
What is the microneedling treatment like?
The medical professional will first assess the skin and determine the type of scarring and the estimated amount of treatments a patient might need. Once the procedure starts, the doctor will apply a numbing cream to alleviate any unwanted pain from the small needles. Then the doctor will apply the machine (small needles) to the affected area. Patients should note that forehead, hairline, and jawline areas can be more sensitive than other areas. Once the treatment (s) are complete a patient will see acne scar reduction.
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What machine do we use for microneedling?
It’s called the Spectrum. The Spectrum a Laser/IPL System. The Spectrum is a FDA apprvoed multi-platform workstation that includes 4-lasers and an IPL.
Laser Erbium-Yag
Is laser skin resurfacing. This resurfacing is an effective technique for minimally invasive and effective management of a number of cutaneous conditions and lesions. Its main indications include treatment of photoaging, rhytids, and solitary benign and malignant cutaneous lesions (NCBI).
Anatomy of the Skin
Skin covers the entire surface of the body and is a vital organ, forming a protective barrier against pathogens and injuries from the environment. The skin is about 2 mm thick and weighs approximately six pounds. The skin shields the body against heat, light, injury, and infection. The skin also helps regulate body temperature, gathers sensory information from the environment, stores water, fat, and vitamin D, and plays a role in the immune system protecting us from disease. There are two layers of skin, plus a fatty layer (the third). The outer layer is called the epidermis; it is a tough protective layer that contains the melanin-producing melanocytes. The second layer is called the dermis; it contains nerve endings, sweat glands, oil glands, and hair follicles. Under these two skin layers is a fatty layer of subcutaneous tissue, known as the subcutis or hypodermis (National Cancer Institute).
Information about scars
When the skin becomes damaged the body’s natural reaction to healing that part of the skin by forming a scar. Briefly, when the skin is injured the tissues break and a protein called collagen to be released. Collagen eventually builds up where the tissue is damaged, helping to close and strengthen the wound. Over time the new collagen forms, the blood supply increases, causing the scar to become raised and lumpy. For some, the collagen breaks down at the site of the wound and the blood supply reduces. Making the scar gradually smoother and softer (NHS).
Different types of scars:
- Normal fine-line scars - These scars appear after surgery or following a wound of the skin. Since the scar tissue doesnt tan this specific scar will remain a whitish color.
- Keloid scars - These are thick, rounded, irregular clusters of scar tissue that grow at the site of a wound on the skin and beyond the edges of the borders of the wound. They often appear red or darker in color, as compared to the surrounding normal skin. These scars can appear anywhere on the body, but they are more common on the chest, back, shoulders, and earlobes (Hopkins Medicine).
- Hypertrophic scars -Hypertrophic scars are similar to keloid scars. But their growth is confined within the boundaries of the original skin defect and may be more reactive to treatment (Hopkins Medicine).
- Atrophic scar - Also known as pitted or sunken scars. These scars form when a person gets severe acne and chickenpox. These scars are responsive to specific treatment (AAD).
- Scar contractures - These scars appear when a person has a severe burn usually as at least at the dermis layer of the skin. Restitution is possible only if the skin is burnt as deep as the stratum papillare and all the specialized cells of the organ are preserved (NCBI)
How do acne scars happen?
Acne scars are the result of inflammation of acne blemishes. When someone has acne, the acne pore swells and a breakdown occurs in the wall of the pore. Though some acne blemishes are small and the scars created are shallow and heal quickly, sometimes the contents of blemishes spill into the surrounding tissue and cause deeper scars. The skin’s response is to repair the injury of the skin by forming new collagen fibers and subsequently scars (Cleveland Clinic). The acne scars that form will either form a crater or will be raised. The amount of collagen will depend on the type of scar that forms.
Type of Acne Scars
There are several types of acne scars that medical professionals have categorized in order to properly treat the scars and hopefully lessen the visibility of the scar or remove it altogether. Depending on the type of scar will be determined by the look.
- Ice pick: This type of acne scar resembles the tool, an ice pick, in that it’s a hole that’s wide at the top and narrows to a point as it goes deeper into the skin. These scars will usually appear where the skin is a bit thinner.
- Rolling: The indents have sloping edges that make the skin look uneven and wavy. These scars are most common in the lower cheeks and jaw.
- Boxcar: Boxcar scars are indents that have sharper edges. Those edges go down deep into the skin. These scars are common on the lower checks and jaw (Cleveland Clinc).
How do I prevent acne scars?
- Dont pick pimples - People that pick pimples have more of a chance of inflaming and wounding the skin, causing scarring. Medical professionals suggest using topical treatments and maybe apple cider vinegar on the spot of where the pimple is located.
- Use sunscreen - The same cells that cause hyperpigmentation, melanocytes, can become overactive when inflammation (a pimple) is present. Using sunscreen regularly can help prevent these cells from becoming more active and can reduce the risk of this type of scarring.
Common skin ailments
- Psoriasis - Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes red, scaly skin, that can cause some pain, swelling, or feel hot.
- Atopic Dermatitis - It is a skin disease causing a lot of itchiness. Scratching leads to redness, swelling, cracking, the release of clear fluid, crusting, and possibly scaling.
- Vitiligo - Vitiligo is a disorder that causes patches of skin to become white. This happens because cells that make color in your skin become destroyed.
- Rosacea - It is a long-term disease that causes reddened skin and pimples, usually on the face. It can also make the skin thicker and possibly cause eye problems (NIAMS).
- Acne vulgaris - It is a very common skin disorder that can present with inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions chiefly on the face but can also occur on the upper arms, trunk, and back (NCBI).
Population and acne
Depending on the skin type a person has might determine acne and scarring severity. The skin of color patients (typically Fitzpatrick skin types [FST] IV–VI) are no exception to acne vulgaris. Its known that ethnic patients rank acne vulgaris among the leading reasons for seeking treatment. In a 2007 study, the diagnosis codes of visits from patients of different racial/ethnic backgrounds seen at a hospital-based dermatology practice in New York City were compared to those of Caucasian patients seen during the same study period. Although subsequent visits from the same patient were included in the results, acne was the most common reason for visits for both African American (28.4%) and Caucasian (21%) patients (NCBI).
Research
Positive familial history is a strong predisposing factor in influencing acne presentation, severity and scarring. Frequent consumption of foods that are commonly consumed during breakfast is protective against acne presentation (BMC Public Health, 2021)
FRF produced a statistically significant improvement in acne scarring when assessed by independent blinded evaluators. No serious adverse events resulted from treatment by either applicator tip. Treatment pain was low and tolerable among subjects of all Fitzpatrick skin types. Subjects had high levels of satisfaction with the results (Wiley Online Library, 2021).
Papular acne scars were significantly more prevalent in patients with keloid scars than in those without keloid scars. These results provide a basis for understanding papular acne scars, which have been under-recognized. The association between papular and keloid acne scars can suggest the decision for scar treatment (Europe PMC, 2021)
Statistics
- Approximately 85 percent of people between the ages of 12 and 24 experience at least minor acne
- Acne occurring in adults is increasing, affecting up to 15 percent of women
- More than 5.1 million people sought medical treatment for acne in 2013, primarily children and young adults(AAD)
- About 80% of people between the ages of 11 and 30 will have acne, and one out of five of that population will have scarring. Teenagers are the hardest hit (Cleveland Clinic)
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