Forty million Americans deal with acne on a regular basis, and about half of those people have to deal with acne scarring afterward.
The leftover scars from acne can cause major stress in your day-to-day life. Many people feel that their scars negatively affect their self-confidence, having lasting physical, emotional and psychological effects, even depression.
Request an AppointmentPsychosocial Burden of Acne Scarring
- Stigmatization
- Self-consciousness
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Embarrassment
For the treatment of active acne click here.
Treatments for Acne Scarring
Traditional Microneedling
Microneedling is one of the safest and most effective ways to improve the appearance of your skin and rejuvenate the underlying tissue. As a part of our body’s natural aging process, our skin experiences a loss of collagen and elastin, which results in the formation of fine lines, creases, and wrinkles. Along with the natural aging process, the visible appearance of your skin can be altered by environmental factors or elements of your lifestyle, such as exposure to the elements, uneven skin tones, stretch marks, or dark spots.
Microneedling devices use very fine, short needles that can be slowly rolled over the skin by a medical professional. When the needles pass over the skin, they gently poke through the surface, creating micro-channels that are invisible to the naked eye but help spur the natural rejuvenation process. Due to the short recovery time, minimal discomfort, and life-changing results, microneedling has quickly become one of the most popular skin treatments we offer.
Traditional Microneedling is also an effective way to treat acne scars, as the collagen and elastin production can help the skin regenerate.
Fractional Radiofrequency Microneedling
The Caudle Center utilizes state-of-the-art equipment, a fractional radiofrequency microneedling device called Fractora from InMode. Once your acne flare-up is controlled, the providers at The Caudle Center can use the Fractora system to stimulate clear, healthy skin. The Fractora system heats the skin and disables sebaceous glands. This decreases oil production and the pimples that follow. Fractora can be used in all cases of acne scarring. You will first be evaluated by a provider at The Caudle Center, who will recommend a treatment plan consistent with your goals.
Procedure: Your face will have to be clean and free of any products. After adequate topical anesthesia, the provider will begin the Fractora treatment. We will work in all regions of the face and neck that need improvement, making several passes over areas to ensure maximum results are achieved, adjusting the energy applied to the type of skin and desired effect. Most patients tolerate this procedure well without any additional anesthesia, nitrous oxide, or sedation. Radiofrequency can
cause muscle spasming during treatment. This may be startling, but generally does not cause discomfort to the patient.
Most patients experience little to no discomfort during the procedure and report feeling “wind-chapped” after the numbing medication wears off. Patients experience mild swelling and redness in the treated region for 3-5 days and have mild skin peeling. You should use gentle cleansers and moisturizers until all areas have healed, and then you can resume your beauty regime, focusing on sun protection, as you should have little unprotected exposure for 2-3 weeks.
Most patients feel the amount of discomfort is mild to moderate. Downtime depends upon the extent of treatment and is usually 3-5 days of heal time.
Low-Level Light Therapy
LED and Laser Diode light therapy use part of the visible light spectrum at a specific wavelength to treat acne scarring. The skin absorbs this light, which then stimulates cellular regeneration and promotes the production of oxygen radicals that lead to the destruction of certain acne-causing bacteria. The process also promotes collagen and elastin production, reduces inflammation, and speeds up the healing process.
After a series of LED treatments, your skin will appear clearer, brighter, and smoother. LED treatment is clinically proven to reduce acne lesions by up to 85%, with more than 75% of clients reporting excellent results.
The treatment itself is very relaxing. After cleansing your skin, you’ll lie on a table with the light panel positioned over the area being treated. You’ll probably find it very calming and may even fall asleep. After 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the procedure, you’ll be able to reapply your makeup and continue your day. There is no pain associated with this treatment. There is also no downtime.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are a relatively new treatment for acne that uses specialized acids to penetrate and purify the skin, particularly the sebaceous pores. The sebaceous pores are responsible for oil production, which can be clogged up with dirt, oil, or old skin cells, leading to acne.
During treatment, our clinicians apply the peel to the face, which helps rejuvenate the skin and improve its appearance. The chemical peel activates and removes dead skin cells that may be clogging your pores and will also kill the bacteria responsible for pimples and breakouts.
Some patients experience redness on their face after the procedure. Your clinician can recommend the best moisturizing routine for your skin type to help reduce the redness and promote further healing. There are several types of chemical peels to choose from, each treatment being tailored to your skin type to ensure maximum results.