Acne scars can feel like nature’s way of constantly reminding you of your embarrassing teenage years (or of a frustrating condition that extended far beyond high school, in the case of many people who suffer from adult acne).
But as the medical and aesthetic industries learn more and more about platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, we continue to recognize the powerful role it can play in freeing acne scar patients from years of self-consciousness.
The unique growth factors in PRP aid the body’s natural healing process. When it comes to acne scars, this means remodeling scar tissue and promoting a smoother and more consistent complexion.
PRP is typically used as a supplement to intensify existing scar treatments, but which procedures work best with PRP?
Acne Scar Surgery
In the case of many deeply pitted, rolling scars, surgical techniques often produce the best results. While there are several possible approaches, one of the most popular is a combination of subcision, fat transfer, and PRP.
Subcision is the process of breaking up the deep scar tissue, which is hardened and pulling downward on the surface skin.
A purified form of the patient’s own fat, which was removed through liposuction, is then injected into the area in order to restore a youthful volume and “plumpness” to the subcised area, along with PRP to accelerate the healing process and maximize the procedure’s results.
Microneedling
For less severe acne scars and for patients who prefer a non-surgical approach, microneedling can be a highly effective way to smooth acne scars. Ultrafine needles are used to penetrate the skin to a precise depth, which breaks down existing scar tissue and stimulates the body’s natural healing process.
In some treatments, microneedling is combined with directed energy (such as with Infini™, which uses radio frequency energy, or RF, to intensify the microneedling results). The PRP is topically applied, and the pathways created by the microneedling allow it to access varying layers of the skin.
The PRP is highly effective in helping the body rebuild collagen throughout the treatment area, contributing to both diminished acne scarring and a more youthful complexion, all with minimal recovery time.
Laser Treatments
Another effective way to smooth certain types of acne scars is through fractionated laser treatments. Like microneedling, these laser procedures make tiny “micro-wounds” to activate the body’s collagen production, but instead of doing this with ultrafine needles, the laser treatment uses narrow beams of precise light energy.
The PRP is applied to the surface of the skin either during or immediately after the laser treatment. In addition to amplifying the results of a fractionated laser procedure, PRP can also speed up the healing process in order to reduce the recovery time.
With the many options available for acne scar revision, most acne scar patients are candidates for the exceptional results PRP can help to provide.
The first step is finding a qualified medical professional who is experienced in PRP as well as acne scar reduction, such as a board-certified dermatologist, so they can evaluate your skin, discuss your aesthetic goals and medical priorities, and recommend the treatment option best suited to you.
The post above was written by the Dermatology Associates of Atlanta
