Copyright © 2023 Somenek + Pittman MD. All rights reserved.
As much as you would like to forget your acne from early adulthood, your face remembers. Although your acne may be long gone, its scars can hang around. You may notice that you have multiple types of scars on your own face.
Inflammation plays a leading role in the formation of scars. The inflammation caused by acne can impact the healing process and diminish the amount of helpful collagen that occurs naturally in skin. The result is the uneven, pitted (atrophic) appearance of acne scars. While scars may fade over time, they often do not go away completely without help.
There are several non-surgical acne scar treatments in Washington DC and these largely depend on the type of scar and how many there are.
Bellafill® fades acne scars by adding volume to them, bringing them to the level of the surrounding skin and keeping them there through one year. This is the first and only injectable filler that’s FDA approved to treat acne scars.
Bellafill® reduces the look of acne scars in two ways. Its remarkably small polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microspheres are suspended in a smooth collagen gel. The diameter of each microsphere is less than that of a human hair, so they are not visible to the naked eye.
This volume enhancer is able to provide an immediate improvement with no downtime associated with it. The PMMA microspheres form a supportive scaffold to allow your own collagen to build upon. As the gel breaks down over time, your collagen forms a foundation that adds volume to the acne scars providing a sustained improvement that can last. This is a great nonsurgical alternative that allows you to feel less self-conscious. It restores rather than just fills for natural-looking, enduring results.
Microneedling with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) has been shown to reduce the appearance of the acne scars. Over a series of three treatments, the microneedles stimulate collagen production and soften the appearance of atrophic acne scars. With the addition of PRP, this can speed the healing process as well as encourage collagen production by infusing vital growth factors into the scar regions. Dr. Somenek also incorporates radiofrequency technology into the acne scar treatment at his Washington DC clinic. This heats the underlying tissues simultaneously and further stimulates collagen production.
For individuals that have ice pick scars that are typically resistant to filler or other treatments, performing controlled punch excisions is a great alternative to permanently remove them. You are essentially exchanging a depressed scar for a well formed, almost imperceptible scar. This is performed in the office under local anesthesia and requires no downtime.
Acne therapy is a common non-surgical treatment that patients seek out to rejuvenate their skin. Contact us to discuss which type of acne scar treatment in Washington DC is the best option for you.
Check out some of our work with these before and after galleries for acne scar treatment.
Copyright © 2023 Somenek + Pittman MD. All rights reserved.
