TECHNOLOGY: SCAR BE GONE!

SCAR BE GONE!

Scars can be signs of survival or reminders of the past, but most people want them gone. We take a deep dive into the world of scar treatments.

Quanta System Discovery PICO

The Discovery PICO Series, distributed in Australia by Aussie Medi Tech, includes up to 3 wavelengths: FD Nd:YAG 532 nm, Nd:YAG 1064 nm, and Ruby 694 nm, and up to four emission modes to perform a wide range of treatments. The Discovery PICO fractional beam profile is able to perform a double skin stimulation allowing the creation of LIOBs in upper dermis for collagen remodeling and gentle “cold” ablation of damaged skin. Multiple overpasses of fractional handpiece are ideal for a full skin stimulation. The fluences used in this procedure make it possible to perform very effective treatments with increased safety, tunability and fast recovery with limited downtime for the patient.

Before and after treating acne scars with the Discovery Pico

Dr Celina Chuang, Dermatologist:

“The most amazing thing about the Discovery Pico is that it does not cause any postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) when I use the fractional handpiece to treat acne scars. Despite the high energy I use (0.7 to 1.0 J/cm2) and the bleeding and crusting observed after the procedure, there is almost never PIH.

Dr Celina Chuang, Dermatologist

Furthermore, the Discovery Pico’s plasma effect operates at a sub-ablative level. All of the other picosecond lasers on the market are non-ablative. However, with acne scar treatments, some ablation is needed in order to see great results.”

InMode Morpheus8

Morpheus8 is unique in targeting and strengthening the Fibro-Septal Network (FSN) skin-fat matrix, resulting in improved skin appearance and reduced irregularities on the face and body. It offers the deepest fractional treatment penetrating up to 7mm into the skin with an additional 1mm thermal profile.

Patient of Pavilion Cosmetic Medicine after 4 treatment sessions of Morpheus8

Four fractional tips with different microneedle configurations (Prime 12 pin, Resurfacing 24 pin, Morpheus8 24 pin and Body 40 pin) deliver clinically proven RF energy to multiple treatment depths (0.5mm – 7mm). Equipped with Burst mode RF technology, Morpheus8 Body automatically deploys bipolar RF energy to multi-level treatment depths in a single cycle. The ability to target tissue sequentially at three levels, in millisecond intervals, allows for a significant reduction in treatment times, minimises skin injury, increases treatment uniformity, and enables customised full body fractional procedures.

Dr Gav Scriven, Cosmetic Physician:

“At Pavilion Cosmetic Medicine, we have multiple modalities for scar management and reduction including Morpheus8 radio-frequency microneedling. Atrophic acne scarring responds most optimally to Morpheus8 in our experience. Morpheus8 radio-frequency (or RF) technology is clinically proven to remodel skin tissue and regenerate new collagen; resulting in a healthier looking and more ‘even’ skin texture. We also use Morpheus8 on hypertrophic scarring and have achieved noticeable results, especially for post-surgical scars.

Dr Gav Scriven, Cosmetic Physician

On atrophic acne scarring, the Morpheus8 treatment delivers bipolar RF energy via the insulated microneedles to a controlled depth of the skin tissue targeted based on the skin type and other individualised factors. This unique tailoring of of the modality creates a powerful treatment that can be delivered at high energy levels to effectively remodel the sub-dermal and dermal layers of the skin. For hypertrophic and keloidal scarring, the abnormal scar tissue is broken down; and new, healthier and more-organised collagen and elastin fibres are produced in place of the old tissue. Depending on the type of scar being treated, the depth, the holistic treatment plan, and individual patient’s skin type – we typically recommend anywhere between 3-6 Morpheus8 treatments, spaced 4-8 weeks apart.”

Candela Nordlys

The Frax 1550 nm laser of the Candela Nordlys rejuvenates skin by delivering very small, very controlled bursts of heat energy only to the area being treated. This unique technology allows the pulse time and energy to be set independently to deliver controlled heat at the appropriate width and depth to meet individual needs. The heat stimulates the production of collagen, which will resurface the skin over time. And because the laser is rolled across the skin, the treatment takes a short time, the surface of the skin is left intact, and healing and recovery are quick.

Before and after treatment with Candela Nordlys Frax1550

Professor Firas Al-Niaimi, Laser Dermatologist, UK:

“The commonest treatment for scars is laser therapy and over the last decade this has gained considerable attention and has seen a lot of advances. Laser treatment for scars is often combined with other modalities depending on the type of scar and this may also include steroid injection for a thick scar for example.

Professor Firas Al-Niaimi, Laser Dermatologist, UK

The Candela Nordlys has a specific handpiece called the FRAX1550, which is a non-ablative fractional laser, meaning it can create columns of controlled injury that slowly remodels the scar. Traumatic, surgical and acne scars are all types of scars that can be treated with the Nordlys device. In principle most scars still respond to laser treatment but there is a lot of scientific datanow that earlier treatment gives better results.”

Cynosure PicoSure Pro

Using the Platinum Focus Lens, the PicoSure Pro treats (acne) scars. Low intensity and high intensity energy create an elegant injury in the epidermis called intraepidermal Laser Induced Optical Breakdowns or LIOBs. As the LIOB is formed, it creates a pressure wave that expands into the dermis. The pressure wave activates the body’s natural healing response to increase collagen and elastin production without the thermal side effects or downtime of other lasers.

Cryomed FRAXIS

FRAXIS is a fractional CO2 laser that radiates micro laser beams through a scanner handpiece. This superior system induces resurfacing of the epidermis and regeneration of the dermis as optimal thermal effects.

The uniform and stable beam quality made possible by a 30-watt RF tube provides accuracy and safety in treatment. The optimum beam size minimises downtime and the risk for PIH while at the same time maximises the ablative thermal effect. This combination ensures client satisfaction for resurfacing treatments including scar minimisation.

Dr Pete Ryan, Cosmetic Physician:

“What makes a scar visible? Colour, textures, shadows and movement. So a combination of treatments is required and the site of the scar is very important. In my experience, scars on the face are far more satisfying to treat than any other areas of the body. It’s much more forgiving to trauma and therapeutic injury.

Dr Pete Ryan, Cosmetic Physician

When treating, I’ll look for shadows, consider movement, if necessary use neurotoxins, subcision, maybe a dermal filler or collagen stimulators. I look at blood vessels, use redness laser if required, and I also look for brown pigment and asses the risk of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. I’d also consider fractionated CO2. I have used a FRAXIS CO2 for this purpose for over 10 years. The aim is to create inflammation, allowing proliferation and remodelling. I do emphasis with all the modalities, I can improve scars, but I can’t get rid of them.”

Solta Medical Fraxel Dual

Fraxel Dual uses patented fractionated laser technology (1550/1927) to target damaged skin with microscopic laser columns that penetrate deep into the skin. The laser treats only a fraction of tissue at a time, leaving the surrounding tissue untouched, which promotes rapid healing. This stimulates your body’s own natural healing process, replacing the old and damaged cells with fresh, glowing, healthy skin.

Dr Shobhan Manoharan, Dermatologist:

“Scar treatments are often multi-modal, and may combine surgical revision, procedures such as chemical peels or TCA CROSS, and energy based devices, such as nonablative lasers like the Fraxel dual, ablative lasers, and radiofrequency microneedling.

We use the Fraxel Dual extensively, especially for mild to moderate acne scarring, treatment of early and mature surgical scars, and scarring associated with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Dr Shobhan Manoharan, Dermatologist

It is a very versatile non-ablative laser, with the Thulium 1927nm wavelength ideal to improve very superficial scarring and associated pigment, while the deeper Erbium:Glass 1550nm wavelength provides improvements to scarring and textural abnormalities at a deeper level. The Fraxel Dual is also a very delegatable device with a high safety profile, and in my clinic is extensively utilised by Nurses and Dermal Therapists, as well as Doctors.”

Venus Viva MD

Venus Viva MD is a highly customisable skin resurfacing device, now with two tip options and higher energy output per pin, that delivers exceptional results with low downtime and is safe for all skin types. Using NanoFractional Radio Frequency (RF) with SmartScan™ technology, Venus Viva™ MD is a fractional resurfacing system that allows operator control of ablation and coagulation for enhanced efficacy in resolving mild to severe skin damage.

Venus Viva™ MD allows for more possibilities and can replace all other skin resurfacing devices with one lightweight, tabletop device. The NanoFractional RF™ technology with adjustable ablation and coagulation parameters delivers radio frequency energy into the skin, creating micro-channels surrounded by intact tissue, which can visibly reduce the appearance of scars.

Cutera enlighten Pico Genesis FX

PICO Genesis FX is a fast, in-office laser treatment that utilises ultra-short pulses of fractional energy to effectively remodel and renew skin. PICO Genesis FX is an ideal procedure to even skin tone and texture, including scars, in fewer treatment sessions with minimal to no downtime. The device delivers ultra-short fractionated laser energy to create small, gentle micro-wounds in the upper layers of the skin to induce collagen stimulation and remodelling. With fractionated energy, the majority of the skin remains unharmed, resulting in faster healing time.

Dr Sean Arendse, Cosmetic Physician:

“Cutera’s Enlighten really is one our workhorses in the clinic when it comes to treating scars. Any scar that has a brown component to it is effortlessly treated with the Enlighten PICO Genesis , which selectively shatters pigment and induces dermal disruption and remodelling producing lightening of skin pigmentation and skin revitalisation. PICO Genesis FX combines the 1064 nm wavelength with enlighten’s microlens array attachment to specifically address scarring in a true 3D format.

Dr Sean Arendse, Cosmetic Physician

It delivers high-energy picosecond pulses to induce non-thermal breakdown within the dermis, promoting collagen and elastin production that resurfaces the skin’s texture for a smoother appearance and produces amazing results with ease. With most scars we would recommend between 4-6 treatment sessions depending on the size, shape and colour of the individual scar.”