Sydney Acne Scar Treatments

Read more about existing acne scar treatments, including chemical peels and laser surfacing, performed by your Sydney cosmetic surgery specialists...

Acne is a most difficult condition with no known causes and no age limitation. Specialised creams and antibiotics are effective to treat acne and acne scars, but only temporarily. Recent innovations of control include the drug Roaccutane, which can have serious side effects in some individuals. Other regimens, which we use at the Aesthetic Surgery Centre, restore much of the damage, and minimise future damage.

Retin-A

Retin-A has been used to alleviate the symptoms of acne and improve skin appearance for approximately 20 years. Clinical trials have indicated its usefulness in restoring collagen and elastin to sun damaged skin, and restoring a more youthful appearance. For the acne patient, both results are beneficial. The primary effect is beneath the skin with a gradual increase in youthful appearing collagen ingrowth, and eventually new elastic fibres. The ingrowth of blood vessels is one of the beneficial effects for the acne patients since increases in blood supply help to contain bacterial breakthroughs.

Patients with acne must avoid makeup and moisturisers that are "comedogenic". This means that certain ingredients in popular cosmetics will plug the pores of the skin and contribute to the formation of pustules. Cosmetics which are recommended to our patients are aloe vera based, and do not contain mineral oil. Another side effect of Retin-A is occasional sensitisation and drying of the skin. Aloe vera based cosmetics, and moisturisers help to prevent this from becoming a problem.

Chemical Peels

Two levels of chemical peels are used in acne patients in addition to Retin-A, which is explained above.

• The first is the use of Resorcinol Peels. These are similar to the well publicised "fruit acid peels", but we have found them to be more effective. The light chemical peels are used on a weekly basis. They strip the skin of the thicker upper layer, and also allow free penetration of Retin-A. There is an instant smoothing of the skin, and the pores are unclogged.
• The deepest level chemical peel is a Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) concentration. This peel requires a seven to ten day recovery period. It is performed in the Day Surgery Centre under "twilight" anaesthesia. We routinely pretreat the skin with hydroquinone before the TCA peels to prevent the possibility of post-peel pigmentation.

Laser Resurfacing

Laser Resurfacing is a very effective method for improving the appearance of acne scarring. The laser effectively vaporises off the top layers of the skin. The new skin which grows is much smoother. Please note that in order to prevent the risk of hyperpigmentation of the skin, this technique cannot be performed within a 2 year period of Roaccutane treatments.

Fat Grafting / Collagen Injections

Because many acne patients have valleys and depression from previous infections, collagen injections, and more recently fat grafting, are used as a means of elevation. The fat is obtained from the "permanent" fat that forms in the abdomen or hips. It is concentrated and placed as a graft underneath the depressed areas which has been elevated. For certain acne patients, grafts are placed under the entire midcheek. The effect of this elevation is only a part of the total picture.

Diet

Although diet has been implicated, there are no definite indications in the scientific studies that the use of chocolates, sugar or other foods plays a major role.

Please note that this information is for illustrative purposes only. Always ask your Non-surgical aesthetic treatments Specialist first!

For more than two decades, The Aesthetic Surgery Centre has built a reputation as one of Sydney's best Cosmetic Surgery clinics, employing experienced doctors and surgeons and knowledgeable beauty specialists. From major cosmetic surgery operations to non-surgical treatments, our highly skilled team is always committed on delivering professional advice and personalised guidance. So, if you are looking for operations prices, cost and fees information or before & after cosmetic surgery pictures, contact us… or make an online enquiry today.