Acne Scarring and Removal in Austin, Texas

• • Icepick Scars

Icepick scars are small but deep pits in the surface of the skin. They are treated using an instrument to “punch” out the pit. This site can be closed with a suture (punch excision) or the underlying skin can be elevated (punch elevation).

• Treatment: punch excision, punch elevation

• • Boxcar Scars

Boxcar scars are larger in area but relatively shallow, with well demarcated borders. Because they are less deep, it is possible to treat boxcar scars almost entirely using laser treatments such as ActiveFX and DeepFX. This has numerous advantages. Lasers are a non-surgical option that delivers smooth, even results. Even for other types of scars, many patients opt for a laser treatment as a final touch to achieve refined skin.

• Treatment: ActiveFX and DeepFX

• • Rolling Scars

Rolling scars are gently undulating depressions in the skin. They may be soft or firm. Effective treatments include Active FX, Deep FX, dermal fillers, 1064nm Nd:YAG laser, and microneedling.

• Treatment: ActiveFX and DeepFX, Dermal Fillers, 1064nm Nd:YAG laser, Micro-Needling

Acne is a common problem that affects a staggering 40-50 million Americans annually. The scars that result from moderate to severe acne persist for years and negatively impact social life and self esteem. Fortunately, continuing advances in dermatology offer a multitude of solutions.

Condition

• Treatment: ActiveFX and DeepFX, steroid injection

When scar tissue is produced in excess, it is referred to as hypertrophic: a raised, rounded lump of fibrous tissues. Hypertrophic scarring is firm to the touch and can be painful or discolored. The most effective treatment solution is a combination of fractional lasers and steroid injections. Steroid injections reduce inflammation and scar volume, while the laser smooths the surrounding skin.

Acne can alter the coloration of skin as well as its texture. Discoloration at the site of previous blemishes is very common and can be stubborn, lingering for years after a scar has diminished. There are two main types: hyperpigmentation and erythema.

Hyperpigmentation results when elevated levels of melanin, which gives skin its color, are retained on the skin’s surface following an inflammation. Erythema is a product of inflammation. Both conditions cause blotchy areas, usually bright red to brown in color, and are often resistant to topical treatments.

Fortunately, this unnatural coloring can be greatly improved with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology, which utilizes precise wavelengths of pulsed light to target problem areas. The term “Fotofacial” is another term for Intense Pulsed Light (IPL).

• American Academy of Dermatology: “Acne Scars: Treatment and Outcome”
• Mayo Clinic: “What is the Best Treatment for Acne Scars?”
• The Science of Acne: “The Different Types of Acne Scars”