Acne Scarring Treatment Options Video: Victorian Cosmetic Institute

Dr. Sara Mullen discusses the treatment of acne scarring and options available 

In this video, Dr. Sara Mullen of the Victorian Cosmetic Institute discusses various options for the treatment of acne scarring. These treatments range from very non-invasive to more intensive, and they treat all kinds of acne scarring. Flat scarring usually resolves itself within one or two years. If not, pigmented flat scarring can be treated with a lightening agent. More serious forms of scarring call for more intensive treatments.

Indented scarring is more serious and can be addressed in a variety of ways. Light treatments with very low recovery times are available for treatment of this scarring. Chemical peels and microdermabrasion can provide some improvement in the appearance of scars. However, these are very light treatments that provide only mild results. For more significant improvement, more drastic measures may be taken.

More intense treatments require longer downtime for recovery, but they provide better results. One such treatment available for acne scarring is skin needling. This is when a rolling pin fitted with very fine needles is rolled over the skin numerous times. The needles penetrate the dermis, stimulating collagen production. The collagen then fills the scar tissue, effectively "remodeling" the skin. This is a painless procedure, but it may require up to a week to recover from the resulting redness, swelling, or scabbing. Optimal results can be achieved in one to five sessions.

CO2 laser resurfacing treatments are similar to similar needling, however they employ columns of lasers in place of needles. The lasers stimulate collagen, causing it to fill up acne scarring. This treatment, and therefore the healing time, varies in intensity. Light CO2 treatments call for a recovery time of three or four days while heavier treatments may take ten days to two weeks to fully heal.

For small patches of acne scarring, Dr. Mullen recommends TCA cross or subcision treatments. TCA cross consists of acid being placed at the base of a scar, encouraging collagen rebuilding. Subcision refers to the use of a needle to break up scar "tethering" under the skin and release the scar tissue. Various treatment options are available for all types of acne scarring and all levels of severity.