| Dr. Pratiksha Jain
Acne is the most common skin concern that we face in our life. Acne often leads to scars and uneven skin tone post the dissappearance of pimples. To get a complete understanding of how to manage and treat the uneven skin tone and texture post acne, let us first understand how it happens.
Acne is a skin inflammatory condition caused by the micro bacterium P. Acnes when there is excessive sebum residual in the skin. This can result in comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) and can progress to become even nodulo-cystic. Like any acute inflammation, there are signs of inflammation viz. redness, swelling, pain. Therefore, to this, skin’s defense mechanisms are triggered and result in scar and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Acne PIH can be epidermal to dermo-epidermal while depending on how an acne resolves, scar can be various types like ice pick, boxcar, rolling and everted.
Now we know the cause lets look at a few treatments available in the aesthetic industry to help reduce acne scars and PIH and make the skin appear more even textured and even toned. Lets look at few popular ones.
MnRF and Morpheus 8
MnRF(Micro needling Radio Frequency) & Morpheus 8 are both energy-based devices. MnRF devices would target the skin at both epidermal and dermal levels to first create and patterned micro injury to skin with micro needles and simultaneously deliver radio frequency which regenerates heat and stimulates collagen and elastin synthesis. Overall, the healing takes place due to secondary intention and gives the scar an even appearance.
Morpheus 8 works in a similar way with slight difference that the heat regenerated is up to subcutaneous levels and it can help fat cells apoptosis at that level. Thereby, making it a slightly beneficial treatment for someone who would like to reduce fat along with treating scars. Better results are always there with multi-modality treatments like skin boosters, platelet rich plasma and HIFU.
Growth Factor Concentrate
One treatment that fits most, if not all, for skin improvement is growth factor concentrate (GFC). The vampire facial as its popularly known is an advance version of PRP for skin. The growth factors help repair the damaged and dull skin, stimulate collagen synthesis in skin, renew it and minimize appearance of fine line and wrinkles too. When given for acne PIH and scars it works wonders. In couple of sessions good results are visible and because it is autologous, it is very safe choice. It really helps deliver better results as an adjunct to other treatments for scars.
Fractional CO2 laser
Co2 lasers are ablative lasers which strip off the top layers of skin using 10600 nm up to 2.5 mm depths. They are gold standard for acne scar treatment. eCo2 lasers are the latest generation of Co2 lasers and cause less oedema and lateral thermal damage. CO2 lasers have a double effect, they encourage renewable processes of the wound and incite increased production of myofibroblasts and matrix proteins such as the hyaluronic acid. In combination with other treatments like skin boosters, fractional laser treatments give best results.
Skin boosters
Skin boosters are Hyaluronic acid gel based prefilled syringes and can help improved the quality of skin and appearance of scars. Hyaluronic acid in bio compatible and mimics the Hyaluronic acid naturally present in our skin. It can be derived at different depth of skin depending on the product used, but best given in hypodermic plane. Popular HA skin boosters used in Metphi Clinic are Juvederm’s Volite and Restylane’s Vital. Skin boosters helps improve hydration in skin, stimulates collagen to improve skin elasticity and texture. Better results are observed when used in combination with other treatments viz MNRF, CO2 resurfacing laser (Before) and Growth Factor Concentrate (same time or after).
Chemical peels
Though chemical peels are very little help in acne scar correction but useful to treat post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) caused due to the acne. It may take a couple of sessions to see results along with a proper skin care routine. In comparison to all it the reasonably affordable treatment with no invasion of skin.
Thread lift
Mono PDO threads can also be used to correct acne scars. It works like subcision and when threads are arranged in matrix formation below the skin, they increase fibroblast activity and college remodeling in the treating area. They also help with tissue tightening, thereby lifting the skin.
Which one is for you?
Well, one would need to consider the primary and secondary(if any) skin concerns before deciding on one or multiple approaches. Let your doctor guide you for all options and based on your time availability, downtime for that particular treatment and your budget, you can opt for any of the above-mentioned treatments. The below video informative video guides you about these approaches used at Metphi Clinic.
Author
Dr Pratiksha Jain(MBBS, PGDCC, PGDM)
Dr Pratiksha has over 9 years of experience in cosmetology and is currently the Medical Head at Metphi Clinic