AESTHETIC NEWS
Acne lesions damage the skin and sometimes the underlying tissue as well. In an effort to heal the damage, your body will produce collagen. If too little collagen is produced, the result is a depressed acne scar. An overproduction of collagen will lead to a raised acne scar. Acne scars can be even more frustrating for people than the original outbreak of acne that caused them. Fortunately, there are effective treatment options available from board-certified plastic surgeons.
One of the newest innovations to hit the market is Morpheus8. Since becoming approved for use in the U.S. in 2019, Morpheus8 has become incredibly popular among people who want to minimize the appearance of acne scars. Morpheus8 can also improve skin discoloration, lumpy skin on the legs and abdomen, and lower face and neck wrinkles.
If you opt to have this acne scar treatment, you’ll receive a combination of microneedling and fractional radiofrequency resurfacing. However, the microneedling portion of the treatment is deeper and more effective than other commercially available microneedling treatments. And since the treatment is minimally invasive, all you’ll need to stay comfortable during the procedure is a local anesthetic. You’ll leave the office in about an hour or less and you can resume normal activities right away.
Bear in mind that you will experience some mild redness and swelling in the treated areas. However, these side effects are temporary. You’ll begin seeing some results within a matter of days, with continued improvements over about six months.
A similar option to consider is laser skin resurfacing. The plastic surgeon will direct a laser beam at the acne scars. The laser targets the top layers of skin, effectively breaking up the scar tissue. Simultaneously, the treatment stimulates the production of healthy new skin cells to replace the old scar tissue.
There are two types of lasers used for this treatment: ablative and non-ablative. A non-ablative treatment is ideal for people with minimal acne scarring. Non-ablative lasers gently heat the skin to regenerate new skin cells and trigger the production of collagen. People often prefer this treatment because there is minimal downtime associated with it. However, if you have severe acne scarring, non-ablative lasers might not do enough for you. Instead, your plastic surgeon may recommend an ablative laser, which offers dramatic results but does require some recovery time.
A facelift is a third option for treating acne scars. However, it should be noted that facelifts should not be performed solely for the purpose of treating acne scars. Rather, if you’re a good candidate for a facelift anyway due to loose skin and wrinkles, getting one will also address acne scars. Talk to a plastic surgeon to find out if you could be a good candidate for a facelift.
Dr. Thomas Loeb is pleased to offer numerous treatments for acne scars at his Manhattan office, including the innovative new procedure, Morpheus8, as well as dermal fillers and facelifts. The only way to determine which acne scar treatment is right for you is to schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Loeb, a board-certified plastic surgeon who prioritizes patient health and well-being. We also offer virtual consults for out-of-town patients and those who are social distancing. Call our office today to set up an appointment.
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