HYPERPIGMENTATION TREATMENTS
.png)
Atrophic scarring is often an unfortunate and permanent complication of acne vulgaris. It has high prevalence, significant impact on quality of life, and therapeutic challenge for dermatologists. The treatment of atrophic acne scars varies depending on the types of acne scars and the limitations of the treatment modalities in their ability to improve scars. Therefore, many options are available for the treatment of acne scarring, including chemical peeling, dermabrasion, laser treatment, punch techniques, fat transplantation, other tissue augmenting agents, needling, subcision, and combined therapy. Various modalities have been used to treat scars, but limited efficacy and problematic side effects have restricted their application. In order to optimally treat a patient’s scar, we need to consider which treatment offers the most satisfactory result. There are also promising procedures in the future, such as stem cell therapy. In this article, the authors review the different treatment options of atrophic acne scars. This may be useful for selecting the best therapeutic strategy, whether it be single or combined therapy, in the treatment of atrophic acne scars while reducing or avoiding the side effects and complications.
ACIDS
​
Skin acids, work by exfoliating, or shedding, the top layer of your skin. Whenever you exfoliate your skin, new skin cells emerge to take the place of the old ones. The process helps even out your skin tone and makes it smoother overall.
RETINOIDS
​
Derived from vitamin A, retinoids are among some of the oldest OTC skincare ingredients used. Their small molecular structure allows them to penetrate deep into the skin and treat the layers below your epidermis.
CHEMICAL RESURFACING
A chemical peel uses acids at stronger concentrations to treat the desired area of skin. They reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation by removing the epidermis. Deeper versions may also penetrate the middle layer of your skin (dermis) to produce more dramatic results.
LASER PEEL
SKIN RESURFACING
A laser peel (resurfacing) treatment uses targeted beams of light to reduce hyperpigmentation.
There are two types of lasers: ablative and non-ablative. Ablative lasers are the most intense, and they involve removing layers of your skin. Non-ablative procedures, on the other hand, target the dermis to promote collagen growth and tightening effects.
Ablative lasers are stronger, Both destroy elements in your skin to ensure that new skin cells grow back tighter and more toned.
MICRODERMABRASION
Microdermabrasion is a minimally invasive procedure used to renew overall skin tone and texture. It can improve the appearance of sun damage, wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, acne scarring, melasma, and other skin-related concerns and conditions.
The procedure uses a special applicator with an abrasive surface to gently sand away the thick outer layer of the skin to rejuvenate it.
A different microdermabrasion technique sprays fine particles of aluminum oxide or sodium bicarbonate with a vacuum/suction to accomplish the same outcome as the abrasive surface.
Microdermabrasion is considered a safe procedure for most skin types and colors.
DERMAPLANING
The procedure is excellent on its own or combined with hydrating facials, chemical peels or rejuvenating laser treatments. Dermaplaning gently removes the outer most layer of dead skin cells on the face. We will manually exfoliate the treatment area using a scalpel.
The immediate result is fresh, bright skin revealed and a smoother look and feel to the skin. This treatment is recommended for all skin types with the exception of those who suffer from acne. This treatment is safe and effective for pregnant or nursing women. Patients often wonder if their hair will grow back thicker and darker after Dermaplaning but this is a simple myth. As ling long as the hair is superficial vellus hair, it will continue to grow back at the same rate and texture as it did prior to treatment.