DESCRIPTION
Acne Scar Treatment - Adelaide
We all want to look and feel our best, both inside and out, each and every day. But for those who have suffered acne throughout their life and still show their physical scars, that can be easier said than done. While it’s most prominent in adolescence, acne scarring can actually affect skin at any age. Scarring can affect not just a person’s physical appearance but also their self-confidence.
However, it is possible to reduce and even eliminate the appearance of scarring from your face. We offer a number of acne scar treatments to patients in Adelaide. Our range of procedures is proven to effectively treat and reduce all grades of scarring and provide long-lasting and targeted results; helping you to restore your appearance and improve your confidence. All of our acne scar removal procedures are performed by Dr Rahma Targett.
The Benefits
1. Our acne scar treatments can significantly reduce visible acne scarring to enhance patients’ overall appearance, restoring their confidence and self-esteem
2. Most treatments are designed to prevent further acne breakouts by unclogging pores and clearing congestion of bacteria.
3. The various treatments can stimulate collagen and elastin production in the skin to smooth, tighten, and plump a patient’s complexion, reducing fine lines and wrinkles for a youthful, revitalised appearance.
4. Other skin conditions present, such as enlarged pores, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation, may also be reduced in appearance with our acne scar treatments.
5. Most treatments are relatively comfortable and non-invasive with minimal downtime, allowing immediate, long-lasting results.
How it works
What are scars and how do they form?
Acne scarring typically occurs when a person suffers from severe acne symptoms and leaves them untreated for a prolonged period of time. Scars also forms from constantly picking at or squeezing acne.
Scarring results from a deeep injury. When inflammation, infection or trauma affects the deeper layers of the skin, a scar tissue formation occurs. A procedure such as laser scar removal treatment becomes the best option to minimise scarring.
Scarring comes in many different shapes, sizes and even colours. There are five different types of acne scars:
- Rolling: Indented, superficial, wave-like scars
- Keloid: Raised scars that extend beyond the original wound
- Boxcar: Deeply indented, round pitted scars
- Ice-pick: Deeply indented, narrow pitted scars
- Pigmentation: Discoloration of a scar is referred to as post inflammatory hyperpigmentation but is not a true scar
It should be noted that not all scarring is the same and are awarded different levels of severity. Scarring may be graded as:
- Grade 1: Slightly visible inconsistencies in the complexion.
- Grade 2: Visible mild rolling scars.
- Grade 3: Visible moderate rolling, boxcar and hypertrophic scars.
- Grade 4: Visible severe icepick or keloid scarring.
Dr Rahma Targett will diagnose the type and grade of your scarring before prescribing the best treatment option.
What are the options for acne scar treatment?
If you are seeking the best treatment for acne scars there are numerous options available, however, level of success can vary from person to person. It is important to remember that receiving poor treatment can lead to further complications, so always consult with experienced, reliable professionals like the Advanced Cosmetic Medicine team in North Adelaide. In addition to laser scar treatment, options for reducing the effects include:
Chemical Peels - acne scar treatment
We offer varying degrees of Chemical Peels, from superficial to medium depth. Chemical Peels can assist in managing mild to medium scarring, with a series of sessions required to achieve optimum results. The appropriate chemical peel can soften and smooth scarring all while stimulating cellular renewal for a refreshed and re-texturised complexion.
Skin Needling - acne scar treatment
Skin Needling is a highly recommended as the best acne scar treatment. ACM offers a variety of options that are specifically designed to target particular types of acne and the depths of scarring. Skin Needling produces micro channels that rejuvenate the skin and that can break up existing scar tissue of any grade. These channels encourage the generation and distribution of new collagen. New collagen helps build healthy, thicker, and firmer skin around the affected areas. This significantly reduces the depth and appearance of scarring and provides a far more smoother and even skin surface.
Side effects of the needling process are typically minimal and can include swelling, peeling and mild bruising after the treatment. The risk of post-procedure infection is highly unlikely as the micro channels will typically close within minutes.
Microdermabrasion - acne scar treatment
This scar removal treatment is perfect for mild scarring, but can also be used for all grades. Microdermabrasion is an effective method for helping reduce the appearance of dark brown and red marks left by acne. Microdermabrasion can also be used to enhance the effectiveness of Skin Needling. Microdermabrasion also assists in the removal of dirt and debris that causes congestion, which can lead to scarring.
The non-invasive procedure is highly popular. Side effects of microdermabrasion can include minor skin flaking and mild to moderate redness. Some people might experience breakouts after treatment but that’s not common.
Laser Genesis - acne scar treatment
Laser Genesis delivers micro-pulses of laser energy to your skin. The main mechanism behind laser genesis involves “bulk heating,” which warms the dermis (deeper layer of the skin) without damaging the epidermis (the superficial layer of the skin that protects you from all the harmful pollutants in the environment); because the epidermis is spared, you will not suffer from extended recovery (compared to other harsh lasers)
The procedure helps activate collagen remodeling, and it even improves the appearance of facial redness and brown spots. Anecdotally, we have seen patients note improvement in acne due to a decrease in oil production and pore size, and a significant improvement in acne scarring (via the collagen stimulation).
Dermal Fillers - acne scar treatment
Dermal Fillers show great results and improves the appearance of acne scars by lifting the depressed scars. Their effect is temporary. However, the results can last from between a few months to a year.
Subcision - acne scar treatment
Subcision involves using a needle to penetrate the skin and break the scar bands which anchor the scar down. It is a useful technique for sunken acne scars (boxcar acne scars and rolling acne scars).
The Doctor
Dr Rahma Targett
Dr Rahma Targett is a General Practitioner(FRACGP), with a specialty in Cosmetic Medicine. She founded Advanced Cosmetic Medicine in 2016 and has since become well known as a trusted and in demand Cosmetic Physician in Adelaide. She has a Diploma in Dermoscopy and a Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine with the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine. Dr Targett is a leader in her field and regularly attends Cosmetic conferences to keep up to date with modern aesthetic techniques. At advanced Cosmetic Medicine you can always be reassured that you will be welcomed and treated personally by Dr Rahma Targett.
At your consultation with Dr Targett, she will evaluate the severity of your acne scarring and discuss any concerns or issues you may have noticed with your skin. This is so she can understand and determine what treatment your skin will respond well to and create a treatment plan tailored to achieve your desired outcomes. All treatments we offer for acne scarring effectively reduce their appearance, but some treatments may be more suited to an individual’s health and concerns than other available treatments.
All our acne scarring treatments are relatively comfortable, and for most, we administer a topical numbing cream to ensure our patients are comfortable and relaxing during their treatment.
This will vary depending on what treatment Dr Targett has recommended for you. Most treatments will deliver immediate results, with the final outcome appearing one to three months post-treatment. Dermal filler results can last up to 12 months or longer, varying based on the type of filler used and how your body metabolises the filler. Other treatments such as subcision have more permanent, long-lasting results. Since all the treatments will trigger collagen and elastin production within your skin, many of them will continue to provide enhanced results over one to two years as collagen and elastin levels are boosted.
The number of treatments required will vary for every individual, based on the extent and severity of their acne scarring and the type of treatment recommended. A course of two to three treatments may be needed to achieve the results patients want.
Dr Targett will provide patients with specific aftercare instructions to ensure a smooth recovery and optimal results. Side effects such as swelling, bruising, redness, and tenderness are the most common, and in some cases, cold compresses and over-the-counter pain medication can ease any discomfort. Patients may need to avoid vigorous exercise, saunas, hot spas, active skincare, and other factors for a specific time to minimise bruising or swelling and reinforce the best outcome of your treatment.
