Acne is frustrating and it is even more frustrating when it leaves a permanent depressed scar or acne marks. The good news is that acne scars can be treated. Scars are formed when a breakout penetrates the skin deeply and damages the tissues beneath it, causing permanent textural changes that cause indentations on the skin surface. These scars are known as pock marks, pitted scars, rolling scars, etc. Some acne scars are permanent, however, there are acne scar treatments that can reduce the scarring significantly.
Treatment Prices
• Subcision + Rejuran® S: Starts from $688.
• Subcision: Mechanically breaks down scar tissues by cutting them. Starts from $500.
• Rejuran® S: Injectable that reduces the appearance of acne scarring by inducing collagen reproduction and healing of the skin. Starts from $500 (1ml).
• Acne Scar Laser: This laser for acne scar treats by breaking up scar tissue, at the same time encouraging new, healthy skin cells to grow and replace the scar tissue. Starts from $599.
Treatment duration:
45 minutes – 1 hour
Downtime:
2 – 4 days of small injection marks
*varies for individuals
Discomfort:
Minimal
*varies for individuals
Atrophic acne scars are depressed scars that form when acne destroys the skin tissue which is not replaced during healing. There is a formation of fibrous bands which physically “pull” the surface of the skin downwards, leading to the appearance of a pock marks or crater-like scar.
These acne scars form when not enough replacement collagen is made during wound healing resulting in insufficient skin tissue being generated, thus causing imbalanced scarring. There are treatments that can significantly improve these scarring.
What type of acne scars do you have?
Atrophic acne scars are depressed scars that form when acne destroys the skin tissue which is not replaced during healing. There is a formation of fibrous bands which physically “pull” the surface of the skin downwards, leading to the appearance of a pock marks or crater-like scar. These acne scars form when not enough replacement collagen is made during wound healing resulting in insufficient skin tissue being generated, thus causing imbalanced scarring. There are acne scar treatments that can significantly improve these scarring.
These frustrating acne scars appear when the healed top layer of a person’s skin is sunken below the rest of their skin, creating pits/craters and acne marks. These acne scars form because the skin produces an inadequate amount of collagen during the healing phase. A visit to the doctor can help determine if a person has atrophic scars.
The three types of atrophic acne scars
- Rolling scars: rolling scars have a varying depth, with sloping edges that make skin appear wavy and uneven.
- Boxcar scars: characterized by steep edges with flat bottoms. broad, usually caused by widespread acne or chickenpox.
- Ice pick scars: these pitted scars look as if the skin had been punctured by an icepick creating deep pits that are 2 mm or less in length, and usually developed after cysts or infections within pores.
Removal of these atrophic acne scars involve various modalities. A consultant with the doctor can help identify the type of scars and the relevant treatment.
Acne Scar Treatments
Subcision
Subcision is a procedure specifically designed for depressed acne scars treatment. Subcision breaks the scar tissues (fibrous bands) that pull the skin and cause the formation of depressed acne scars. Deep acne scars are caused by the formation of fibrous tissues and loss of collagen which causes “pulling” the skin downwards, resulting in a sunken appearance (skin depression).
Subcision “cuts” through the fibrotic scar tissues, allowing the depression to rise up and be levelled with the skin surface. The subcision method loosens the area around the indented scar and creates a new wound that heals properly and matches your normal layer of skin.
Subcision is often combined with other treatments to promote proper healing and skin resurfacing. An injectable booster like Rejuran® S can be injected into the base of the acne scar, to stimulate collagen production and prevent the scar from reattaching. Adding Rejuran® S to the acne scar treatment plan can help speed up the acne scar removal process by enhancing healthy collagen production to ‘smooth out’ the skin.
Are the results of subcision permanent?
Subcision of scars mechanically cuts off the fibrous bands anchoring the scars down, the releases the scars from the downward pull and hence smoothening the skin surface. The result of this procedure is usually permanent as long as the scar tissues do not re-anchor during the immediate healing period after subcision procedure. To avoid such re-attachment and also enhance skin proper healing, fillers or collagen enhancers are used.
There are some patients that want to remove the acne scars fast. Thus, in order to treat acne scars thoroughly, we recommend combining Rejuran® S with Subcision. Acne scar laser can later be used which works synergistically to give a better result in acne scar removal.
The Procedure
Prior to the acne scar removal treatment, topical numbing cream is applied to make the process more comfortable.
The doctor will insert a needle or micro cannula into the depressed acne scar, and move it to sever the fibrous bands of scar tissues. The scar will be released from the underlying tissue, plumping the previously depressed skin, and continue to heal gradually over time.
Rejuran® S can then be injected to repair dermal skin cells and stimulate normal collagen production for a shallower scar appearance.
Rejuran® S
Rejuran® S (SCAR) is an injectable, specifically created to treat acne scars. It is the viscous (thicker) form of Rejuran® Healer, a popular skin regenerating injection. Similar to Rejuran® Healer, it consists of polynucleotides (PN) which are DNA fragments that help regenerate damaged skin cells by increasing collagen production through stimulation of fibroblasts. Rejuran® S has the highest concentration of PN as compared to other Rejuran® injectables, as it is formulated to specially treat scars.
How does Rejuran® S reduce the appearance of depressed acne scars?
Our skin has the natural ability to produce new collagen to replace the damaged ones caused by acne inflammation. However, skin pits or indentations form when there is a loss of tissue affecting your skin to heal optimally. Rejuran® S works on indented acne scars by first “filling it up” to provide a structural scaffold that ‘lifts’ the indented skin up, and then the active ingredient PN helps with skin healing by improving fibroblasts and new collagen formation.
Since Rejuran® S is more viscous, thicker in texture, it acts as a filler to fill up sunken scars, while repairing the skin at the dermis, making it ideal for treating acne scars. As it “fills up” acne scars, it gives the immediate (but temporary) improvement in appearance. While it “fills up” acne scars, the main role of Rejuran® S, is to provide a scaffolding or structure for more fibroblasts to activate new collagen production for skin healing to improve acne scars.
Should I do Rejuran® S with or without Subscision?
This would depend on the extent of the scarring. If no Subcision is required, the Rejuran® S would be injected under the acne scar in the dermis layer. If the scars are deep, it is recommended to do Subcision to sever the fibrous tissues anchoring the scar down, and then followed by Rejuran® S injected directly into the base of the scar. This has the effect of removing the cause of the acne scar depression and stimulating scar healing for better skin quality.
What are the differences between Rejuran® S and Rejuran® Healer?
| Rejuran® S | Rejuran® Healer |
|---|---|
|
• More viscous |
• Less viscous |
|
• Ideal for acne scars |
• Ideal for overall skin rejuvenation |
|
• Stimulate tissue restoration and reconstruction through new collagen production |
• Improve skin elasticity, skin tone & texture |
|
• Remodels damaged skin tissues |
• Reduce wrinkles & fine lines |
|
• Smoothen out skin |
• Stimulate collagen & anti-aging properties |
Acne Laser Treatment
Using laser for acne scars is common, and the benefits can go beyond just treating the acne scars, as lasers improve overall skin condition.
Laser treatments can minimize the appearance of residual acne scars. Lasers break up acne scar tissues on the top layers of your skin while stimulating new, healthy skin cells to grow and replace the scar tissue. Lasers have the added benefits of reducing pigmentation caused by acne and also reducing pore size, giving the skin a fresher appearance.
FAQs
This procedure has a downtime of 2 – 4 days of small injection marks. Occasionally, mild bruising might occur with deeper subcision.
It is recommended to schedule 3 – 4 treatments (Rejuran® S + subcision), with a 1 month interval between each treatment.
It is recommended for individuals with all types of acne scarring (eg: boxcar, rolling, and ice-pick scars). Our doctors will recommend the best course of treatment according to your skin concerns upon consultation.