HOW DO ACNE SCARS FORM?
Acne scars are usually the result of inflamed blemishes caused by skin pores engorged with excess oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. The pore swells, causing a break in the follicle wall. Shallow lesions are usually minor and heal quickly, but if there is a deep break in the wall of the pore, infected material can spill out into surrounding tissue, creating deeper lesions. The tissue attempts to repair these lesions by forming new collagen fibers, however, these natural repairs are not as smooth and flawless as the original skin and can give rise to scars, as scars are essentially just the build-up of collagen in an area.
Ovo Medi Spa offers options that are safe and effective to treat different types of acne scars. The choice of treatment depends on your skin type and condition. This can be determined by our 3D skin analysis and complimentary consultation. Our acne scar treatments improve texture and tone to help you restore your looks and confidence.
TYPES OF ACNE SCARS
Ice Pick Scars are deep and narrow scars, as if the skin was pierced by a sharp thin object. They are formed after cyst infections or deep inflamed acne which have damaged the tissue.
Box Scars are round or oval, and are wider than ice pick scars. They are developed when a cluster of acne destroys the collagen in the tissue, leaving the tissue without any support, thus creating the depression in the tissue.
Rolling Scars are wave-like, uneven scars, with sloped sides. These scars are caused by acne inflammation and characterized by its shallow and wider appearance of more than 4-5 mm. These scars form when the surface of the skin is pulled down by fibrotic bands attached to the deeper structures of the skin, thereby causing the areas of depression.
WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS TO TREAT SCARS?
Deep Fractional Laser Resurfacing
Here at Ovo Medi Spa, we treat acne scars from ‘within’. We target beneath the surface of the skin and focus on treating through the dermal layer. We use the industry’s gold standard Erbium laser to treat scars that are rooted deep within your skin. The heat from the Erbium laser stimulates collagen production and regulates blood flow throughout your targeted area(s). Unlike chemical peels and microdermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing allows the penetration depth to be controlled with precision. The laser beam is absorbed by the top micro-layers of the skin to vaporize scar tissue while stimulating new collagen production in the dermis layer. Laser resurfacing is a fast, safe, and simple procedure. There may be a few days of social downtime as your old tissues slowly peel away to unveil new, fresh tissues. The scars will slowly heal without spreading further, and it will eventually form new healthy, smooth tissue around the area. Results can be seen in as little as 2 weeks, and further improvement continues as your body produces more collagen. The number of treatments depends on your goals and the severity of your acne scars.
Microneedling
Traditional microneedling is a cosmetic procedure that penetrates the epidermis with tiny medical grade needles. At Ovo Medi Spa, we use medical grade microneedling pens with the finest surgical needles. Depth is adjusted according to the different areas on your face. As we create small wounds, your cells will immediately start to create more collagen and elastin on targeted areas. This helps tighten, smooth out, and accelerate the healing process for your acne scars, wrinkles, and large pores. The excess collagen and elastin formed will help pitted or ice pick scars to rise, which will gradually form healthy skin tissue around the area. We use serums formulated with the highest quality ingredients to hydrate and boost collagen production from underneath your skin. There are minimal side effects with microneedling, such as slight discomfort and redness that can last a few days. Results can be seen after a few weeks. A series of 6 treatments is recommended.
For faster results, we recommend using Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP) with microneedling. The PRP from your blood is rich in growth factors which stimulate tissue regeneration to effectively repair scars. A series of 3-4 treatments is recommended.
Radiofrequency Microneedling
Potenza RF Microneedling is the latest generation of medi spa devices in the market and delivers remarkable results for acne scars and blemishes. The collagen and elastin production is faster and more intense due to the Microneedling tips delivering heat in a precise way to various depths of the tissue. Potenza is the only RF microneedling device with 4 modes to safely treat different Fitzpatrick skin types and conditions. Potenza is also the only RF microneedling device in the market with a fusion tip – topical treatments can go 67% deeper into your tissues thanks to this new technology. It is popular among celebrities because of the minimal downtime of 24 hours or less. Unlike other skin revitalization treatments, Potenza RF Microneedling can be done anywhere on your body, any time of the year. Your skin’s texture and tone will become smoother, tighter, and brighter. A series of 3 treatments is recommended.
Spectra Laser Peel
The Spectra Laser Peel uses a Q-Switch laser to target pigmentation caused by acne scars. It is considered a rejuvenation treatment and can treat active acne and scarring simultaneously. The laser clears sebum from within the pore walls and smooths out surface irregularities. As the skin is gently heated, the body is stimulated to promote collagen growth; improving elasticity and refining the texture of the skin. This treatment results in smoother, tighter, and healthier skin. A series of 3-4 treatments is recommended.
Subcision
The subcision method involves using a small needle cannula to dissect and separate the fibrous bands bound to the underlying tissues. This process allows the scar surface to lift back up. Afterwards, the area beneath can be filled with Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP) or filler to fill in the space underneath and to stimulate collagen formation.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels improve the appearance of acne scars by using a chemical solution to remove the outer layer of old skin. The new skin that replaces it is smoother in texture and tone. The peel helps brighten dark spots and unclog pores to help prevent future breakouts. This treatment triggers an inflammatory response that helps promote skin cell turnover while removing dead skin cells at the surface. The peel stimulates the body’s natural response to produce collagen which can help fill in scars. During the healing process the tissue forms new collagen fibers, which in time, improves the appearance of acne scars. This procedure can be repeated every 4-6 weeks until desired results are achieved.