Acne Scar Treatments in Carmel and Monterey
Scars left from adolescent or adult acne can be unsightly and a cause for great embarrassment among adults.
Dr. Javid offers a number of effective laser and skin resurfacing techniques to successfully smooth out the appearance of acne scars.
Laser Resurfacing Therapy
Our Fractional Resurfacing Laser creates thin channels at varying depths in the epidermis. The epidermis is around 100 microns thick – roughly the thickness of a sheet of notebook paper. Creating these thin channels promotes rapid healing from the surrounding, untreated skin by stimulating collagen and elastin formation. This laser also takes advantage of the skin’s pattern of healing from the edges inward to give you faster recovery from each treatment. A single session covers a small area – a few percent to almost a third of your skins surface.
Fractional resurfacing is a particularly good approach for acne scarring. This kind of scarring can be very deep and fractional laser resurfacing allows treatment of deep channels while surrounding tissue is unaffected, therefore, contributing to faster healing of the skin. Treating acne scars generally requires a series of treatments, over the course of months or longer, but the results are noticeable and striking. This treatment is suitable for all skin types.
MicroLaserPeel (MLP) & Laser Resurfacing Combination
These two procedures can be used in combination to treat acne scars and eliminate fine lines and wrinkles. Acne scars often create an uneven texture and color or tone to the skin. This treatment is the one-two punch of superficial resurfacing and deep collagen remodeling to help blend textures, tone and color. We will customize our course based on your specific needs using different depths in areas of the face where scarring is more or less severe. The MLP treats the surface of the skin to put on a finishing touch, especially around sensitive areas such as the eyelid.
Microneedling - Collagen Induction Therapy
Eclipse MicroPen® Elite Microneedling is a method using controlled micro-injuries to the skin in order to aid in the production of collagen and elastin. The new boost of collagen thickens the skin, thus softening the appearance of acne and traumatic scarring.
Different Types of Acne Scars
There are multiple types of acne scars, each of which are treatable using various methods.
These are quite common and characterized by deep pits that extend into the deeper layers of the skin. Ice pick acne scars can be removed with the use of laser therapy, medium chemical peels, dermabrasion and excision.
Appear as angular depressions in the skin with sharp vertical edges. Resembling scars left by Chicken Pox, boxcar acne scars may be shallow or deep and are most often found on the cheeks and temples. They can be removed with the use of laser therapy, augmentation, dermabrasion and excision.
These are generally wide and shallow and give the skin a wavelike appearance. These scars are caused by damage under the surface of the skin can be removed with the use of laser therapy augmentation, dermabrasion and excision.
These are generally left by more severe types of acne that cause cysts and nodules. Typically appearing on the back and chest (less commonly on the face and neck), hypertrophic acne scars may decrease in size with the passage of time and can be removed via excision, and steroid injections.
Coastal Valley Dermatology is committed to providing state-of-the-art medical and non-surgical rejuvenation treatments that allow our patients to feel youthful and confident. Schedule your consultation in person or via Telehealth video visit with Dr. Roya Javid at 831-293-8458.