Acne Scars

Acne scars are the most severe consequence of acne that we are trying to avoid. Despite this, many patients suffer from scars, sometimes with disfiguring scarring. Some of the different types of scars include icepick scars, rolling scars, and boxcar scars. Fortunately, we have some of the best treatment modalities available to manage acne scarring in our Edmonton acne scar treatment clinic. Call our clinic to arrange a consult with our dermatologist to discuss your acne scar treatment options. To learn more about the treatment of active acne, click here.

It’s almost unfair that you have to suffer through all those blemishes and pimples, only to develop acne scarring on top of it all. Acne scars can be red erythema, brown hyperpigmentation, and/or shallow or deep indentations. On occasion, acne scarring can even manifest as raised hypertrophic scars or keloids.

Acne scars develop because of the intense inflammation that can occur at the site of an acne pimple. As the pore gets plugged, the wall of the follicle or gland breaks, leading to inflammation. If the inflammation is great enough and deep enough, the body responds with redness, hyperpigmentation, and indentation.

Fortunately, at our Edmonton acne scar clinic, we have the full spectrum of scar treatment options and use the most advanced technologies to improve the appearance of acne scarring. Our dermatologist, Dr. Nakatsui, will help select the best acne scar removal option for you.

Our newest technologies for the treatment of acne scars in our Edmonton laser skin care clinic are Morpheus8 and Opus Plasma resurfacing. We are the first in Western Canada to offer Opus microplasma treatments!

How to Get Rid of Acne Scars?

• Fully Ablative Carbon dioxide laser resurfacing
• Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing     
  • Active FX
  • Deep FX
• Fractional Plasma Resurfacing (Opus) NEW
• Fractional ablative laser resurfacing (e.g. Fraxel)
  • Pearl fractional Er:YSSG
  • Pearl Fusion
• Fractional non-ablative laser (PicoWay Resolve)
• Radiofrequency RF microneedling
  • Fractora
  • Morpheus8 NEW
• Percutaneous collagen induction using microneedling
• VBeam Pulsed Dye Laser
• Chemical Peels
• Subcision
• Dermal Fillers
• Cortisone Injections

How to get rid of acne scars is a common question we deal with. Each of these acne scar treatments has its own advantages and disadvantages–some are more aggressive than others causing a longer period of social downtime, but are also more beneficial.

**Actual patient. Individual results may vary.

Acne Scar Treatment Options

Our acne scarring clinic offers the full spectrum from minimally aggressive scar removal treatments like chemical peels up to fully ablative CO2 resurfacing so we have a lot of experience and can help you make the best decision regarding your treatment options. Many skin care clinics do not have the capability or expertise to offer all these options but we have been treating acne scars for over 20 years.

For some scars, temporary improvement with dermal fillers is a good option, particularly is those with rolling scars. However, for widespread scarring, treatment with lasers, radiofrequency microneedling, or plasma resurfacing (not to be confused with PRP or Platelet-Rich Plasma) is often preferable.

Which is the Best Acne Scar Treatment ?

This depends on several factors including skin type, tolerance to downtime, desired amount of improvement. Our dermatologist Dr. Thomas Nakatsui can help you decide which is the best option for you.

What Are the Types of Acne Scars?

• Icepick scars: Narrow, deep , sharply marinated scars extending vertically. Typically on the cheek or nose.
• Boxcar scars: Round to oval depressed, atrophic scars with sharply demarcated edges. Wider than icepick scars.
• Rolling scars: Wide, slope-shouldered, slight depressions of the skin resulting from tethering from fibrous attachments from the dermis to the subcutaneous tissue.
• Hypertrophic scars/keloids: Thickened, raised scars that may be red or skin-coloured resulting from excess scar tissue.
• Hyperpigmented macules: Brown flat macules or patches
• Erythematous macules: Red flat macules or patches

Acne Scar Edmonton Clinic
Serving Sherwood Park, St. Albert, Leduc, and Edmonton
Questions? Contact us at:
780-482-1414

Do you have another question that wasn’t addressed here? Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have!