Acne Scar Treatment
Acne scars can be treated!
Acne scar treatment is one of our specialties.
Over the years we have developed unique system that have helped thousands of patients to improve, and often to eliminate, their scars.
Our large number of scar treatments enables us to invest in the laser technology that is most effective for scar removal.
Acne Scar treatment comparison table - Pricing - Efficiencies
Acne Scar
Treatment |
CO2 Laser |
DeepFX |
Restylane/
Juverderm |
Radiesse |
TCA Peel |
Fractional
Laser |
| Results |
+++ |
++ |
+++ |
+++ |
+ |
+ |
| Downtime(*) |
7-14 days |
2-3 days |
3-4 days |
1-2 days |
5-7 days |
1-6 days |
| # Treatments |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4-8 |
| Lasting results |
10 years |
10 years |
6-9 months |
12-18 months |
2 years |
Unknown |
| Avg. total cost |
$3000 |
$3000 |
$600/syringe |
$850/syringe |
$500 |
$4000-$7000 |
(*) Downtime per treatment
Treatments: CO2 laser resurfacing, punch grafts, Deep FX ,Restylane (filler), Radiesse(filler),TCA peel
True acne scars can only be improved by removing the top layers of the skin and letting the skin build a new surface combined with maximum collagen production from underneath. This can be best achieved by CO2 laser resurfacing. The laser assures precise depth of abrasion, thereby minimizing complications that were common with dermabrasion (not microdermabrasion), such as permanent pigment change.
Deep pitted scars require punch grafts 4-6 weeks prior the laser procedure for maximum fill. Nowadays, fillers can be used to bolster scars. Often, acne scars may be preventable if acne treatment is started early.
You can start improving your acne scars now by booking an appointment with Dr. Ringpfeil.
| Next available appointment
|
| for acne scar treatment
|
| Wed - 10/13/2010 - 9:40 AM
|
| Book it
|
| or, call us 610.525.5250
|
| Patient comments (source: Patient Satisfaction Report) |
| 2010-05-24 15:01:45 | friendleness of enitre staff.
enjoyed the waiting area, unlike any other medicial building.
i did not have to wait more than 3 min to be seen by dr. |
| 2010-05-18 08:42:18 | The doctor thoroughly explained her point to make sure I understood. So much so that she repeated it until she was sure that I understood. I liked that. |
| 2010-05-13 14:56:15 | I feel like I'm finally finding what's wrong with me. |
Please feel free to use the blog below to share information about the subject, or to ask Dr. Ringpfeil a question that might be of interest to others.
Leave a Comment or a Question
Do you use the Variable Pulse YAG Laser? And if not why not? Thanks for your input, it’s overwelming how much info. is out there!
The Variable Pulse ND:YAG Laser is not appropriate for treatment of acne scars.
I understand that the cosmetic technology available at this time must be overwhelming for a layperson. The choice of laser depends on the condition and skin type to be treated. It must also depend on the experience of the laser surgeon. Laser technology has made a tremendous impact on the ability to correct cosmetic concerns but is not without risks. A variable pulse Nd:YAG laser can be used for a host of conditions including hair reduction in all skin types, blood vessel treatment, redness reduction, skin rejuvenation, wrinkle correction and others. The downside of an Nd:YAG laser is its lack of specificity to treat some of the above conditions and most of the time, more efficient and specific lasers are used by advanced laser surgeons to achieve goals safely and quickly. A complimentary consultation with our aesthetician can help you better understand treatment options that are appropriate for you.
Dr. Ringpfeil,
I had cystic acne as a teenager that left me with pitted scars as well as overall uneven skin texture. There seem to be so many options. I need your assistance in locating a surgeon who has a great deal of experience with punch grafting and subcission. I will then come to you for the laser treatment. Do you use the Fraxel type laser system?
I greatly appreciate your help!
We perform punch grafts and subscision as needed several weeks prior to resurfacing by CO2 laser. In fact, I do not use Fraxel technology as it has not met expectations over the past 4 years since it entered the market even when 4-8 treatments were performed. The company that makes Fraxel has since developed a CO2-Fraxel combination system because Fraxel alone could not deliver results. However, we use the flagship of CO2 laser technology, the Ultra Pulse by Lumenis. Until today, the Ultra Pulse is still the most robust and versatile CO2 laser on the market, which is especially important for the outcome of scars.
I once had a genital piercing that has left me with what I believe is either a keloid or a hypertonic scar, which I would like removed. What are my options and how much are the costs? Any information would be greatly appreciated!
Hypertrophic scars and keloids are very different in their biologic behavior. Both cannot be removed without trace but both can often be injected with a steroid and will reduce significantly or may resolve to a flat scar. There are circumstances under which scar revision by excision for a hypertrophic scar may be preferred, especially when the expected scar is minimal. However, the chance of another keloid developing, when an existing keloid is excised, is about 90%, and therefore excision is usually not an alternative. If several steroid injections soften a keloid without flattening it, shave excision may be attempted with additional steroid injections at time of excision, as well 2 and 4 weeks after to minimize the risk of a returning keloid. In very rare instances, when a keloid does not respond to steroid injections or is so large that it cannot be injected, radiation may be necessary.
Cost of the procedure depends on the size of the lesion. We typically charge $50 per injection and anywhere between 1-3 may be needed for hypertrophic scars and between 2-10 treatments for keloids. Revision of hypertrophic scars by complete excision ranges between $150 (up to 5 mm) and $400 (over 4 mm). Shave removal of keloids may range between $130 (up to 5 mm) and $230 (over 2 cm). Three steroid injections needed after shave removal are charged in addition to the shave removal as mentioned above.
Radiation is not a service that our office performs because it is rarely needed.
While the revision of hypertrophic scars is not always an insurance covered service, most insurances cover the treatment of keloids.
I have suffered with moderate to severe acne since my teenage years. I am now in the process of trying to remove as much of the scaring as possible. I did some research, and found that punch techniques should be done before skin resurfacing with a laser. However, the local doctor that I have seen wants to do an Erbium laser resurface before any punch excisions. He says that after the resurface,depending on the results, he can then do any punch excisions and spot treat again with the erbium laser.He says that doing it the other way could make some of the scaring worse. Do you agree?
Newer laser technology has been able to dramatically reduce the need for punch grafts, which in the past were often necessary to address deep ice pick acne scars. When indicated, punch grafts are typically done at least 4 weeks before the resurfacing procedure. They must be followed by resurfacing as they are otherwise quite obvious. Under certain circumstances, it may be reasonable to resurface acne scars first and then punch graft only the very few remaining deep lesions, followed by spot resurfacing.
Dr. Ringpfeil:
I am 27 and acne has always been a huge issue. I have tried Differin Gel, Jan Marini products, Doxycycline, HCTZ, Proactive and Retin-A. All have which failed. After getting pregnant my skin seemd to calm down but I do suffer from some harsh breakouts. I have suffered from cystic acne as well leaving me with awful scars. I have some scars that look like white lumps (not keloids) others look like “craters” and others look like “ice pick”. I would love to minimize the appearance of these scars. I use entirely to much make up to try to camaflouge these issues but I think it makes it more noticeable but I do not dare to leave my home without makeup. It is very embarrassing. Since I have such a variety of different scars would one type of treatment be sufficient for all? Would I have to get my current acne under control before proceeding with scar treatment? Also since acne is a “medical condition” would any of the treatments for active acne and acne scar treatment be covered by insurance? Do you think a TCA peel would be appropriate treatment? What is the down time for “punch excision”? Thank you so much for your time.
Acne and acne scars can be difficult to handle and often lower self-confidence. Acne treatment is important and it is also a prerequisite to some type of scar correction as some treatments such as TCA, resurfacing etc could temporary flare acne. Medications used for acne treatment are typically insurance covered and so are the office visits. The treatment of acne scars is currently not covered by insurances. Unfortunately, insurances explicitly exclude acne scars from coverage. The choice of treatment depends on your skin, your scars and financial means. TCA is one modality for severe scars. Often, punch excisions are usually used as a pretreatment for other, more extensive procedures. You should be evaluated for your needs.