What is an Acne Scar?
An acne scar is the result of inflammation of acne blemishes. It starts when the pore beneath acne swells, and a breakdown occurs within the pore’s walls. While some acne blemishes might be shallow or smaller, some can cause damage to the skin tissue, resulting in deeper scars.
Any type of acne spots can lead to scars, but acne scarring is more common when more serious spots such as cysts burst and cause damage to the skin. Visiting an acne clinic near me can help identify and prevent these severe scars.
Contact Us
How We Approach Treatment
Acne scarring is normal in patients who have successfully cleared their acne and leaves light to moderate discolouration on the skin depending on the severity of the acne.
Unique Cosmetic Clinic’s acne scar treatments reduce the overall appearance of the scarring using a variety of different methods. In addition to these acne scar treatments, our team will work with you to prevent future acne outbreaks and additional scarring. We offer non-surgical skin tightening in Toronto as part of a comprehensive acne scar management plan.
Book Now
Different Types of Acne Scars
Icepick
Wider on the skin’s surface, narrow as they reach down into the skin.
Boxcar
Round or oval depressions left behind when certain types of acne heal.
Rolling
These appear as indentations and measure up to a few millimetres wide.
Atrophic
In indented scar that heals below a normal layer of skin tissue.
Acne Scarring Treatments
TCA Cross
TCA CROSS stands for trichloroacetic acid (TCA), and it is the chemical reconstitution/reconstruction of skin scars (CROSS). TCA Cross is a highly effective treatment that involves depositing droplets of TCA onto acne scars, specifically atrophic scars. TCA can be applied with the tip of a toothpick for accurate and direct penetration to the affected area.
TCA is used because it works on the scars to denature the proteins in the skin and stimulate new collagen growth. This reaction can be seen during treatment as the droplets turn white on the scars. This reaction is called "frosting". TCA Cross is also influential for all skin types, and the results are permanent. This method is very safe, and there is minimal downtime involved!
This treatment is helpful for the elevation of deep scarring and can help improve the appearance of ice pick scars, boxcar scars, piercing scars, and enlarged pores, creating smoother, healthier-looking skin. Patients often combine TCA Cross with dark circles treatment in Richmond Hill for overall skin rejuvenation.
Subcision
Subscision is a surgical treatment that works from the inside out to improve deeper scars such as rolling acne scars. This method of treatment can be done with a Nokor needle or a cannula which is inserted below the skin and used to separate scars that become attached to deeper tissues (the fascia).
With rolling and boxcar acne scars, the affected area may look pitted, depressed, and uneven. This is caused by the scar becoming tethered down into deeper tissues, as mentioned. Subcision is the only treatment that can release these bands of scar tissue, lifting up the area of concern. This method is used to achieve an elevated and refined skin surface.
Subcision improves the appearance of rolling and boxcar acne scars. The micro-trauma of the cannula or needle during the treatment itself stimulates collagen and elastin production. For a more complete cosmetic approach, it can be paired with body contouring in Richmond Hill.
Lasers
Ablative lasers, like fractional CO2 lasers, penetrate deeply into the skin using energy or heat. The energy causes controlled damage within the affected area, which then heals from the inside out, removing outer layers of the skin. This natural healing process produces new collagen and elastin growth. CO2 Fractional is virtually painless and very effective but comes with a downtime of around 7-10 days. Post-treatment instructions will be given to you during a consultation and what to expect as you recover. An alternative to this is the non-ablative Q-switch laser which is excellent for targeting stubborn pigmentation associated with acne scars.
CO2 Fractional is an ultimate treatment for resurfacing the skin, reducing damage and imperfections caused by acne scars. It is combined with other treatment methods to achieve the most optimal results for improving challenging acne scars.
CO2 Fractional helps to create firmer and smoother skin. This treatment minimizes acne scarring and tightens affected areas while removing years of damage from the skin. Many patients undergoing this treatment also explore double chin treatment in Toronto for overall facial refinement.
RF Fractional
RF Fractional is radiofrequency energy delivered into the skin with help from multiple tiny gold-coated needles. The needles are stamped against the skin in a cohesive motion for a comfortable procedure and controlled penetration depth while delivering energy simultaneously.
The heat created from RF Fractional breaks down old collagen and elastin fibers; simultaneously, the device's micro-needling aspect contributes to new cell regeneration. Redness post-treatment generally subsides within a few hours, making this a no-downtime treatment. Results can be seen as early as 14 days.
RF Fractional helps to minimize the appearance of scars caused by acne or trauma. It also helps to reduce lines and wrinkles visibly, improves skin laxity, and diminishes pores. RF targets atrophic acne scars and is a suggested initial treatment for newly formed scars. Patients can combine it with non-surgical nose job in Toronto for facial harmony.
Punch Excisions
Typically used in biopsies, a punch excision is a minor surgical tool inserted to remove deep ice pick, rolling, and boxcar acne scars from the skin. These punch excisions match the size of the acne scar for precise removal of the affected area and help to leave the skin linear after healing in preparation for additional treatment. Post-treatment, these excisions are carefully sutured for optimal healing results.
This method is used to improve deep scarring and encourage new collagen production. With a direct excision, we can target and remove the entire scar. This is a very effective way to manage deep acne scars.
Punch excisions help remove deeper scarring and prepare the skin for additional treatment to manage acne scar appearances.
Fillers (Revinesse, BellaFill, Sculptra)
Dermal fillers are a go-to treatment for boosting volume and stimulating collagen production. With acne scars, we have a great range of fillers such as "BellaFill," "Revinesse," and "Sculptra." These types of filler last longer than regular hyaluronic acid filler and contain particles that work deep into the dermis for collagen and elastin production.
These treatments are used because they last longer than traditional hyaluronic acid fillers. "BellaFill" can last up to 5 years, "Sculptra" up to 2 years, and "Revinesse" up to 1 year.
Dermal Fillers help you achieve volume in areas of damage caused by acne scarring. During a thorough consultation, we can determine which type of filler will provide the most beneficial results just for you.
Chemical Peels
A chemical peel is a solution that is applied over the skin or area of concern. These chemical solutions may vary based on the type of peel you choose to use. Chemical peels help to regenerate new skin as they exfoliate and eventually peel off external layers of the skin. Chemical peels can range from superficial to deep peels penetrating multiple levels beneath the skin's surface.
This treatment is used to help with skin discoloration or scarring caused by acne. Other benefits include the reduced appearance of wrinkles, sun damage, and age spots. The treatment is time-efficient, but you will experience peeling or flaking around the treatment area for 4-7 days afterward. Results can be seen as early as seven days post-treatment. Chemical peels give your skin a glowing, refreshed, and brighter appearance.
Chemical peels help to improve the appearance of mild to moderate acne scars and overall skin texture and tone. Pairing this with hyperhidrosis treatment in Toronto or other targeted treatments ensures comprehensive skin care.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum.