Hello. I am Lee Sang-ju, a dermatologist. In the last session, we looked at various scar treatments, and today, we will delve into treatment methods specifically for deep, depressed acne scars.
While equipment like lasers are often used for acne scar treatment, for scars depressed by 1mm or 2mm or more, it is common to combine them with procedural methods.
Why are deep acne scars different?
After deep acne occurs, scars can remain in that area. Deep acne scars appear as depressed forms because fibrotic tissue beneath the skin strongly pulls the skin surface inward.
Generally, shallow acne scars can be expected to improve by using lasers to promote new tissue growth. However, for deep scars, significant time, effort, and various procedures may be required for the skin to fill in.
Limitations of laser treatment for deep scars?
For scars with a depth of 1-2mm or less, laser methods can be effective. However, if the depth is greater than 1mm, laser alone may have limitations. In such cases, suture-free punch or Subcision are commonly used procedural methods.
Lifting scars without sutures: Suture-Free Punch
Suture-Free Punch is a method that uses a cylindrical medical punch to lift the scar from the tissue beneath the skin to the outside. Afterward, a special adhesive called Dermabond is applied to the skin, allowing the scar to be treated without sutures.
The advantages of this procedure are as follows:
- Minimal disruption to daily life.
- Immediate return to daily life after the procedure is possible.
- It is known as an excellent treatment for icepick scars, especially those with a diameter of about 1-5mm.
Effective for wide and deep scars: Subcision
Subcision is a suitable method for wide and deep depressed scars. These scars are caused by fibrous bands pulling the skin surface from beneath the acne scar. Subcision is a procedure that uses a medical needle to sever these fibrous bands beneath the skin. The skin can be expected to improve by rising up, much like a rubber band stretching.
This method also allows for an immediate return to daily life after the procedure because it uses a medical needle and does not affect healthy skin. However, some bruising may occur as blood can accumulate in the treated area.
There are also reports that the longer the bruise lasts, the more the scar fills in.
At our clinic, we appropriately treat acne scars of various depths and widths using methods like Intracision, which is used for shallower acne scars than Subcision.
Why should we pay attention to Suture-Free Punch and Subcision?
Procedural methods such as suture-free punch and Subcision have the advantage of allowing an immediate return to daily life after the procedure because they cause minimal damage to the skin surface. Furthermore, these procedures are known to be more effective for deep scars, whereas lasers are primarily effective for scars depressed by 1-2mm or less.
These procedural methods can be combined with other treatments, offering the advantage of achieving even better results when used together for acne scars of various depths and shapes.
Choosing for successful acne scar treatment
Procedural methods, unlike laser treatments that use machines, require the practitioner to perform each step meticulously by hand. Therefore, it is crucial to select the appropriate procedure for the scar, and an experienced practitioner can significantly influence the treatment outcome. Thus, it is advisable to receive treatment at an experienced clinic.
Today, we learned about suture-free punch and Subcision, procedural methods commonly used for deep acne scars. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time. Thank you.