Acne scars are usually the result of inflamed blemishes and pustules causing the pores to be engorged with excess oil, dead skin cells and bacteria. The pore (follicle) 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 skin attempts to repair these lesions by forming new collagen fibers. These repairs usually aren’t as smooth and flawless as the original skin.
At Visha Med Spa we know how frustrating it can be living with the lingering memory of acne. Acne scars have a lasting effect on self image and esteem. Laser treatments partnered with long term dermal fillers such as Bellafill can provide effective correction to the texture and depth of scars. There is no 100% cure for any scar, but with the right treatment protocol we can deliver life changing outcomes.
What Causes Acne Scars?
There are many different types of scars; Pigment scars (red or brown marks left behind from acne) atrophic or depressed scars are a few. These scars develop when there is a loss of tissue. There are two common types of atrophic scarring. Ice pick scars are usually small, yet obvious holes in the skin. Boxcar or Rolling scars are depressed areas, usually round or oval in shape with steeply angled sides, similar to chickenpox scars. The rolling scars or box scars are easier to treat since they are distensible (meaning they show improvement when the skin is pulled taught) The most difficult scars to treat are Hypertrophic Keloid scars or ice pick scars.
These scars are caused when the body produces too much collagen as acne wounds heal, resulting in a mass of raised tissue on the skin’s surface.
Once we complete a consultation to determine the type of scars and the severity and degree of scar depth we will choose the right laser procedure to begin with, we have two very effective devices for treating acne scars. Visha Skincare Advanced Correcting Serum can also be used to lighten dark spots left from acne scars in conjunction with the laser procedure for optimum results.
Fractional Laser or CO2 Treatment
A fractional laser splits up laser light energy into an array of high-precision microbeams. These tiny light beams create deep, narrow columns in the skin, leaving the epidermis in place and the islands of tissue surrounding the columns unaffected.
The islands of unaffected skin promote a much faster rate of healing with less chance of complications than traditional laser treatments.
Light energy from the fractional laser penetrates deep into the lower skin layer, or dermis. The columns of treated tissue stimulate the body’s natural healing response, and cause new, healthy tissue to form in the epidermis and dermis. As a result, you’ll have smoother, younger-looking skin with even color and improved texture and tone.
Almost every medical spa offers a fractional resurfacing procedure – Fraxel, ActiveFX, CoRe, and Pro Fractional to name a few. At Visha Med Spa we have an advanced approach using a Candella Quadra Lase, which differs by using two types of laser beams that penetrate to different depths simultaneously. The Quadra has multipule treatment modes to treat a variety of skin issues including acne scars.. This laser can provide dramatic results after just one session when targeting acne scars.
Using such a versatile fractional laser system that enables us to precisely target and effectively treat the skin’s surface, middle and deep dermal levels in addition to performing traditional CO2 resurfacing effectively targeting acne scars.
The treatment is lighter, faster and offers more versatility for skin resurfacing when compared to traditional ablation. Our laser has the ability to treat both superficial and deep layers of skin simultaneously while providing maximum precision and control when it comes to the intensity of treatment, pattern and depth of ablation.
Bellafill Dermal Filler
After we complete a series of laser treatments to smooth the texture and build collagen we use a dermal filler called Bellafill which has FDA approval for acne scars. Bellafill’s unique collagen stimulating effects lift the scar from beneath by the interaction of permanent microspheres that integrate with your body’s own collagen. Improvement is immediate and continues to improve over time as new collagen surrounds the tiny spheres.
A combination of bovine collagen and microspheres, the collagen component creates an immediate correction so you see an instant improvement. As the injected bovine collagen breaks down, your own collagen is produced, so you get improved smoothing over the coming months. Dr. Patel uses a advance linear technique to minimize injury to tissues and bruising.
Bellafill is unlike other fillers that degrade over time. Because the microspheres are made of an inert material (polymethylmethacrylate) they remain in the skin permanently, “reminding” the collagen to replenish itself. Although the natural aging process will slow collagen production as you get older, a small touchup of Bellafill years later would be all you would need to maintain the original correction.
I have worked with many devices over the course of my career and truly feel fractional laser and CO2 combination treatments have shown the most dramatic and overall texture improvements for my clients. If you have questions about what this treatment can do for you I would love to discuss treatment options with you in our Visha Spa. I have over 15 years experience and truly understands acne, as someone who has struggled and worked on scars myself. Consultations are complimentary and can be scheduled with me at or Germantown and Olive Branch offices.
Want to learn more about how you can reduce the appearance of acne scars? Call 901-759-2322 or request an appointment online today!