How can Acne Scarring be treated?

At Absolute Aesthetics there are several treatments which are suitable for treating acne scarring.  As no two individuals are the same, it is important that the Clinician has the opportunity to assess the affected area(s) and discuss with the patient their individual suggested treatment programme. This is done at an initial consultation where details of medical history, medication and lifestyle are discussed in full. It also gives the patient plenty of time to fully understand the treatments that are provided and why sometimes a combination of two or three treatments might be suggested in order to obtain the optimum result.

Genuine Dermaroller

Genuine Dermaroller is an advanced micromedical skin needling therapy. It is a procedure which stimulates the skin to regenerate and repair itself naturally and safely, creating smoother, brighter, healthier and younger looking skin.  It is a perfect treatment for mild to moderate acne scarring and it uses the body’s natural healing response to trauma to improve the appearance of the skin.

Prior to treatment, a local anaesthetic cream is applied to the face to numb the skin.  The Clinician then moves the roller around the face and forehead to cause thousands of microscopic punctures to the skin.  Each puncture penetrates the dermis of the skin and then closes rapidly, enabling the skin to recover almost immediately.  The skin then starts to naturally regenerate and repair itself underneath the surface and new collagen and elastin is formed.

It can take up to six weeks for the full results of the session to be seen as new skin cells are generated and blood supply to the area is enhanced.

Three sessions, spaced six weeks apart are normally recommended but for deeper scarring, the Clinician may suggest up to five sessions.

Obagi Nu-Derm

Obagi Nu-Derm is the only skincare system that can actually penetrate the skin. It is a system of six products that need to be used regularly.  A 6-8 week course is usually recommended but if the skin goes very red and flaky during the treatment, it is possible to use it less regularly but for longer.

Traditionally the Nu-Derm system was used as a preparation for an Obagi Blue Peel (see below) however the results from the preparation alone have shown to be so effective that many patients do not proceed to the full skin peel. However, to achieve optimum results, it is likely with severe acne scarring that the Clinician will recommend that the patient undertakes both the Obagi Nu-Derm System, followed by a Blue Peel.

Two of the key elements of the Nu-Derm system are Vitamin A (commercially called Tretinoin) and Vitamin C.  Retin A is a prescription drug in the form of a cream and must be prescribed by a doctor. The Vitamin C is in the form of a serum which, unlike over the counter products, does actually penetrate the skin.

The Nu-Derm System penetrates below the surface of the skin to transform skin cell functions at a cellular level and correct the damage within.  Using a specific sequence of dosage and frequency, the prescription strength system exfoliates old skin leaving healthy, new skin that looks and acts younger and healthier.

The System can be used on all skin types and used on acne scarring on the face and body.

Clenziderm

Clenziderm acne treatment contains a liquefied form of benzoyl peroxide that is clinically proven to provide clearer, healthier skin with results often being noticed within two weeks of use. It is available in formulas for normal to oily and normal to dry skin types.

It is formulated with proven anti-acne ingredients, including a patent pending penetrating formula of 5% liquefied benzoyl peroxide. The system penetrates all the way down to the follicles where acne starts, to clear skin more quickly than other acne treatments.  Clenziderm involves a simple to follow, 3 step programme which is to be undertaken morning and evening.

Obagi Blue Peel

The Obagi Blue Peel is a Trichloroacetic acid peel (TCA) that is spread on the face to burn the outer layers of the skin, causing damage and letting the skin regenerate with a younger, tighter, healthier feel.

Different acid strengths can be used depending on how aggressive the patient wants the treatment to be and at what speed of recovery they need. Some patients want to have a one-day or lighter peel, where they have a peel on Friday and by Monday are able to go back to work – this is possible but not quite so effective so up to 3 of these peels may be required.

Stronger peels are a little more uncomfortable but the stinging sensation can be alleviated with the use of fans.  A much deeper peel will cause the skin to have a blue tinge for one to two days afterwards and the skin will feel very tight.  By 72 hours the skin starts to peel off. It is essential that the skin is allowed to peel off by itself and is not pulled.

Over the following week, the skin will start regenerating and by one to two weeks after the peel, the skin should start to look healthier with the full effects of the peel being seen. By six weeks after the peel, the skin is noticeably fresher, clearer, tighter and more attractive.

IPL

IPL means Intense Pulsed Light. It is a non-laser form of light treatment that involves a very powerful light being emitted by a rapid pulse of flashes. These pulses are absorbed by the target structure in the skin – heating it and destroying it.

The IPL machine emits short sharp bursts of light through a hand piece. This hand piece is placed on the skin’s surface over the area to be treated. The sensation experienced by clients is described as anything from being ‘a warm feeling’ to ‘an elastic band being pinged at the skin’. A cooling gel is applied to the skin prior to treatment to protect the skin but also to aid conductivity during the procedure.

For acne related skin rejuvenation, the treatment is carried out using either a yellow light or blue light depending on the target area. The applicators heat the surface of the skin helping to repair the damage. The target area absorbs more light energy than the ‘normal’ skin therefore the pigmented or reddened areas of skin heat up thus destroying the target, for example acne blemishes or pigmented spots and bacteria that cause the outbreaks.