By the time we hit our 30s and 40s, most of us have outgrown the bad fashion choices and even worse hairstyles of our teen years. Unfortunately, one middle school milestone can continue to leave its mark on our appearance and self-confidence decades later.
As we grow older, acne scars leftover from our youth may become deeper and more noticeable as our skin loses collagen. While makeup can hide some of the problem, professional-level acne scar treatment products from Ooh La La Spa, Anti-Aging & Wellness in Glen Carbon can erase them for good and keep the memories of bad breakouts in the past.
The different types of acne scars
Most scars are the result of cystic acne, the red, painful pimples that tunnel deep into our pores. Inflammation from cystic acne affects the body’s ability to properly manufacture collagen and heal acne-prone skin.
According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, there are two types of acne scars:
Keloid scarring – When too much collagen is produced, excess scar tissue grows, causing a raised mass to sit on top of the skin. In most cases, a laser acne scarring treatment is needed to reduce the appearance of the scars.
Depressed scarring – The scarring we most associate with acne, atrophic or depressed scars are the deep pockmarks and loss of tissue that result when not enough new skin cells are produced to replace the acne-damaged ones.
Cosmetic treatment for acne scars
Thankfully, for most patients, Dr. Kristen Jacobs and the staff at Ooh La La can reduce the appearance of deep scarring through a variety of acne scar treatment products:
Secret RF – As the leading acne scarring treatment, the Secret RF microneedling system emits fractional radiofrequency (RF) energy that heats the dermis and boosts collagen production to repair skin damage, resulting in tighter, smoother skin. By adjusting the microneedles, energy can be delivered at various depths to treat deep depressed scarring without affecting the healthy skin around it.
Pearl Laser Treatment – Ideal for raised acne scars and keloids, the Pearl acne scarring treatment uses a laser to poke tiny holes into the top layer of skin, sending heat into the deeper layers underneath. As the body goes to work healing and plumping the skin below, the old layer peels off, eventually revealing a smoother, more even skin tone. Although a laser treatment may not erase all scars, they will often appear flatter and faded.tr
Laser Genesis – Why not stop future breakouts while you’re repairing past damage? Laser Genesis gently heats the dermal layer of the skin to trigger the collagen production needed to shrink scars and resize large pores. At the same time, it also kills the acne-causing bacteria that lurks deep within the skin to keep blemishes from coming back. Best of all, Laser Genesis is completely non-invasive and requires zero downtime.
Microneedling – With the Eclipse MicroPen in hand, Dr. Jacobs penetrates the epidermis to create micro-channels in the skin that stimulate collagen, which in turn, retexturizes imperfections and fades scarring. In one study, 94 percent of microneedling patients reported a vast improvement in the severity of all types of acne scars after treatment.
Chemical peels – A professional-level chemical peel for acne scars removes dead cells at the skin’s surface while stimulating the manufacturing of collagen to fill in depressed scars. Ooh La La offers three levels of treatments, including the deep-penetrating SkinMedica Rejuvenize Peel—however, a chemical peel for scars is best for patients with shallow depressed scarring as opposed to raised keloids.
HydraFacial and DiamondGlow– Ooh La La’s 30-minute facials for acne scars use a vacuum system to cleanse, exfoliate and extract dead skin cells. Once the pores are free of impurities, a serum infused with hyaluronic acid is injected to plump, hydrate and rejuvenate skin cells. Completely painless, a HydraFacial or DiamondGlow treatment is the gentlest way to address minimal acne scarring.
How to fade acne scars forever
In the case of severe keloids or depressed scarring, a combination of acne scar treatment products may offer the maximum results. To determine the best plan of action to get rid of acne scars, schedule your consultation with Dr. Jacobs at Ooh La La today. She can create a custom treatment plan based on your goals and budget to deliver the beautiful results you’ve been waiting years to experience.
