Top Treatments for Acne Scars
While acne is often thought of to be a teenage problem, around 10% to 20% of adults also suffer from regular breakouts. Here we will explain everything about the best treatments for acne scars.
Usually, these breakouts occur quite near to the surface of the skin, meaning that when they rupture, the skin is able to heal quite quickly. However, when there is an acne rupture deeper within your follicles, this can lead to scarring as your skin heals.
What can you do about acne scars?
Visit the Plantation Med Spa for one of these scar-busting treatments.
MICRONEEDLING
Microneedling, which is also referred to as collagen induction therapy, is a treatment that is becoming increasingly popular.
What exactly is microneedling?
It makes use of a pen-like device, which contains several tiny needles. The device, which is known as a derma roller, is rolled over the skin, and, in the process, the needles create micro-punctures in the skin’s surface.
This may sound painful, but Plantation Med Spa always applies a local anesthetic to the area of skin being treated, meaning that you won’t feel a thing!
So, back to the microneedling process…
The micro-punctures created by the derma roller trigger your skin into producing more collagen and elastin, as these help the skin to heal. Both collagen and elastin are important structural proteins in the skin, giving it its smoothness, firmness and tightness. Due to the extra collagen and elastin that your skin produces after microneedling, your entire complexion takes on a smoother and more youthful appearance.
How does this help with acne scars?
Well, certain types of acne scars consist of bundles of collagen that have formed when the skin was improperly healing. The needles in the derma roller break these bundles up, while also triggering new collagen to form, therefore leaving the skin fresh, smooth and scar-free.
Wondering how long you have to wait before you see results?
Many people are surprised to learn that results are visible pretty much immediately after a microneedling treatment. However, for better and longer-lasting results, you are best off booking yourself in for a series of four to six treatments, each one spaced about a month apart.
With each new treatment you go for, your skin will have become stronger and thicker, meaning that the needles in the derma roller can be inserted a little deeper each time. This then brings about much more significant changes.
The after-care for microneedling is quite simple too…
There isn’t really much of a downtime for this treatment, but your skin will of course be quite vulnerable after each session. For this reason, a strong sunscreen is essential, as your skin will be especially susceptible to sun damage. You should also avoid strong chemicals or other skin care ingredients for a couple of weeks, giving your skin the chance to heal. A rich moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated will help to speed up the healing process.
EMATRIX SUBLATIVE REJUVENATION
Acne scars are often formed quite deep within the skin. While topical treatments can help with this, they do take quite a bit of time to have a noticeable effect, which is why you would be best off opting for a treatment that can directly target those deep skin cells.
Plantatoin Med Spa’s Ematrix Sublative Rejuvenation treatment does exactly that…
Never heard of this treatment before?
It’s an FDA-approved treatment that works to resurface the skin, bringing about the following benefits:
- A reduction in acne scars
- Minimized visibility of dark spots and pigmentation
- Improved skin texture
- Minimized appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- A brighter and healthier complexion
Sounds good, right?
You are probably wondering what this treatment actually involves…
It makes use of a device that sends a fractionated bi-polar radio frequency energy deep into your skin, in the form of heat. The heat is delivered straight into the deeper layers of your skin, bypassing the surface altogether.
What does this energy do once it reaches your skin cells?
It stimulates them into producing more collagen and elastin, while speeding up your skin’s cell turnover rate. All of this can make a huge difference when it comes to clearing acne scars.
Are your acne scars quite severe?
If so, this is the treatment for you, as it can target all degrees of scarring and pigmentation. It is also suitable for all skin types, even those with sensitive skin.
The treatment itself takes just 30 minutes, and you will notice a difference in your skin after just five days. Ideally, you would book yourself in for three separate sessions, as this means that your skin will continue to improve for about five months. After this, your bright new complexion will be much easier to maintain, and you can always return to Plantation Med Spa for an annual top-up treatment if you wish.
FACIAL FILLERS
Facial fillers are usually used to add fullness and volume back to different areas of the face. They are also effective at minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving the skin a perkier, more youthful appearance.
However, did you know that facial fillers are also a great tool when it comes to treating acne scars?
You are probably wondering how this actually works…
Well, when facial fillers are injected into the skin, this pushes the layer of skin with acne scars closer to the surface. This means that the skin will naturally be able to shed those scarred tissues much faster than it otherwise would have.
Not only that, but facial fillers also help to break up the scar tissue itself, while also stimulating the production of collagen and elastin in the skin. This means that, over time, acne scars will fade more and more.
When it comes to facial fillers, there are several different types out there, with each one designed to target different areas of the skin, as well as different skin concerns.
The Plantation Med Spa offers 13 different facial filler options, but the best ones for treating acne scars tend to be:
- Restylane
- Belotero
- Radiesse
Each one has its own set of advantages, and this is something that will be discussed with you in more detail at the Plantation Med Spa.
Wondering how long your facial fillers will last for?
This depends on the specific filler that has been used, but they usually last for between 6 to 18 months.
LED LIGHT THERAPY
LED Light Therapy is a gentle, non-invasive treatment that makes use of different wavelengths (or colors) of LED lights.
Each wavelength stimulates the skin at different levels, meaning that different wavelengths are used to target different skin concerns.
There are three main wavelengths used when it comes to LED light therapy, and the Plantation Med Spa makes use of all of these.
When it comes to using LED light therapy to deal with acne scars…
You will likely need a combination of both red and blue LED lights.
What do each of these colors do?
The blue lights deal with the acne itself, offering up powerful anti-inflammatory properties that are able to clear away breakouts, while also preventing future breakouts from occurring.
How do the lights prevent future breakouts?
In a couple of ways:
They help to re-balance your skin’s sebum production, preventing your skin from over-producing sebum. With less oil on your face, this lowers your chances of experiencing clogged pores, and therefore minimizes your risk of a breakout
They destroy any acne-causing bacteria on the skin. The bacteria itself is photosensitive, and the blue lights cause the bacteria to heat up and disintegrate
The red lights help to tackle the actual scars…
How?
By stimulating the production of collagen deep down in your skin. This helps to even out the indentations that acne scars can leave, resulting in a much smoother and clearer complexion.
Yes, there are topical treatments that can help increase collagen production too, but they don’t work to quite the same extent as LED light therapy. Red LED lights have been proven to increase collagen production by up to five times, meaning that they would quickly bring about significant results.
Curious about what the third LED color is that Plantation Med Spa uses?
That would be amber light.
What does it do?
A number of things, such as:
- Boosts blood circulation and lymphatic flow
- Encourages the skin to flush out waste and toxins
- Stimulates cellular activity, enabling skin cells to work to their full potential
- Soothes and calms sensitive skin
- Helps to treat rosacea
While the red and blue lights are most beneficial when it comes to treating acne and acne scars, Plantation Med Spa would be more than happy to incorporate amber light therapy into your treatment plan too if you are hoping to see some of the additional benefits mentioned above.
Chemical peels are extremely effective when it comes to dealing with acne scars.
How do they work?
In a similar way to chemical exfoliation, except with much more intense results.
They basically clear away the top layer of your skin, which helps to improve your skin’s texture while also boosting skin cell turnover. This also targets any hyperpigmentation on your skin, which is useful since acne scars often turn the skin slightly darker.
Chemical peels are available in different strengths/grades, ranging from light to medium to deep.
Wondering how strong Plantation Med Spa’s Perfect Derma Peel is?
That would be considered a medium-depth peel, as it removes both the upper layer of skin, as well as the layer below that. This may sound like a lot, but that’s what you need when it comes to dealing with acne scars. A lighter peel simply won’t have the effect that you are after.
The Perfect Derma Peel makes use of a number of potent ingredients to bring about the results mentioned above, including:
- Glutathione – not only has this antioxidant been proven to boast powerful skin-lightening properties, but it also promotes skin cell regeneration, enabling your skin to rid itself of acne scars much faster
- TCA – this acid reaches deep within the skin to soften acne scars and reduce pigmentation
- Retinoic Acid – the most powerful form of vitamin A, retinoic acid is extremely effective at speeding up skin cell turnover and promoting the production of collagen
- Salicylic Acid – this beta hydroxy acid clears out the pores and provides the skin with anti-inflammatory benefits
- Kojic Acid – derived from mushrooms, this natural ingredient is a fantastic skin lightener. It works in a similar way to hydroquinone, but without any of the harmful side effects
Worried about side effects?
Don’t be, they are pretty uncommon, and if they do occur, they usually resolve on their own pretty quickly. Nevertheless, keep an eye out for the following side effects:
- Redness, which can sometimes occur immediately after the peel has been carried out
- A small amount of swelling
- A tight feeling in the skin
Since your skin will be quite vulnerable after a chemical peel (since it no longer has its outer protective layer), you will need to be quite vigilant when it comes to caring for your skin for a couple of weeks following your treatment. Stay away from any harsh exfoliants or other strong ingredients, and make sure that you make sun protection a priority.
Due to the fact that the Perfect Derma Peel contains such a potent blend of ingredients, this peel is only suitable for certain skin types. This is something that the specialists at the Plantation Med Spa will be able to go over in more detail with you. If you are not a good candidate for this peel, Plantation Med Spa will be able to advise you about other treatments that may be better suited for you when it comes to dealing with your acne scars.
Best Treatments for Acne Scars
Acne scars can be so difficult to clear, especially since the majority of topical treatments simply do not penetrate deep enough into the skin to bring about noticeable differences. If you have been unsuccessful at treating your acne scars so far, get in touch with Plantation Med Spa today to learn more about the different treatments that could help your skin. Hopefully, we have covered the most important about the best treatments for acne scars
Book a consultion online now? Visit the Plantation Med Spa now to treat yourself to some of our many services and treatment offers! Call us at (954) 595-2607
