Smoothing Your Skin

Feel confident in your skin again by improving the appearance of your acne scars

Acne is considered to be the most common skin condition, with 85% of females and 15% of males having experienced some form of adult acne. While having acne can be bad enough, what’s worse is what it can leave behind if left untreated — acne scars. Scarring is the result of inflammation, in which the swelling of the acne pore grows and breaks down the wall of the pore. During the healing process the body produces collagen to repair the damage, however too much or too little collagen production can result in scarring. With our collagen levels depleting by 1-2% every year from our mid 20s, these scars can become even more noticeable as we age. Acne scars can be a huge cause of insecurity for a lot of people, with research indicating that people who have these scars are less confident and happy than those without. Thankfully, the world of aesthetic medicine is expanding constantly, and there are now many options available for treating acne scars such as energy-based devices. If you’re looking for a way to feel confident with your skin again, look no further!

Laser treatments

A great option for treating your acne scars is laser therapy. Laser works by delivering strong beams of light to treat damaged areas on the body. One device, called the PicoSure laser, uses light that penetrates the outer layers of the skin as well as down to the deeper layers (the dermis). The combination of treating both layers is what stimulates the skin’s own natural wound healing response to deep collagen remodelling and elastic alignment, which is necessary to successful treatment of acne scars. PicoSure can be a good option for patients who lead busy lifestyles and want virtually no discomfort or downtime. People usually report that they feel mildly sunburnt after this treatment, but aside from this, the procedure is very comfortable and is usually complete within 30 minutes. Four to six treatments will be needed depending on the severity of the scars, spaced four weeks apart.

Before After

Patient before and after two PicoSure laser therapy sessions. Results show improvements in acne scars. Patient treated by Dr R Salura.

Before After

Radiofrequency microneedling

Another option for acne scarring is radiofrequency microneedling. The Potenza is one device that combines ultrafine needles and radiofrequency energy to penetrate the top layer of the skin and trigger the body’s natural healing process to regenerate new collagen and elastin. It also has a variety of needle tips for treating a variety of scar sizes. Like lasers, radiofrequency microneedling is a minimally-invasive procedure, with no serious pain or downtime. Minor bleeding is expected during the treatment and the patient will experience a sunburn sensation with some swelling. However, this typically resolves in 24-48 hours. Improvement in the skin can be observed from the first or second treatment, however you may need four to six treatments dependant on the severity of your scarring. The treatment interval is also four to six weeks apart to allow more time for healing.

Practitioner perspective

“The beauty of radiofrequency is that it is ‘colour blind’ meaning it is suitable for all skin colours/tones! In my clinic I use the Potenza device, and one particular advantage of this treatment is the ability to use the new Cushion Tip which allows for the penetration of active Dr Benji Dhillon, ingredients into the skin alongside the aesthetic practitioner, Define Clinic Beaconsfield microneedling and radiofrequency. IG: @defineclinic Unlike many other treatments, this technology can be used on those who have active acne spots, giving you an overall clearer complexion.”

Patients can expect to pay £400 for one PicoSure treatment, and from £350 for Potenza. To find your nearest Potenza or PicoSure provider scan the QR code.

Patient before and after three radiofrequency microneedling sessions with the Potenza device. Results show an improvement in acne scarring. Patient treated by Dr JH Yoon. This advertorial was reviewed and funded by Cynosure