ACNE SCARS
 Acne scars are a common problem. Unfortunately there are a limited number of treatments available to provide improvment of these scars.
Many of these techniques can lead to further problems including hyper and hypopigmentation and permanent scarring.
Dr. Shah utilizes the latest in acne scarring called mrc. Mrc is a safe technique which can be performed in the office. Mrc is a semiablaitve technique where real improvment of acne scarring can be seen with collagen deposition. One week downtime is typical and patients will see results as early as two weeks.
I select patients, Dr. Shah will also perform dermabrasion and subcision/filler techniques.
Learn more about Acne scar types.
Although the elimination of acne scars is not possible at this time by any surgeon, there impact and appearance can be improved in most patients.
Acne scars are a notoriously difficult problem to treat. Many older therapies relied on deep removal of layers of skin, long healing times, and potential pigmentation (skin color) difficulites. In addition, many of the older therapies could not be used in darker pigmented patients. Luckily, over the last several years, some new and exciting acne scar therapies have come to fruition. Dr. Shah offers the latest in acne scar treatments.
CROSS (Chemical Reconstruction of Skin Scars)
CROSS is a new approach to acne scars. Using the strength of a deep peel, Dr. Shah selectively targets acne scars while sparing the remainder of the skin. He treats specific scars in a highly technical and specific manner. The stimulation of the deep peel encourages collagen formation, flattening acne scars and improving skin texture. The benefit of targeted selection is that the recovery period of chemical peel is limited to the treated areas. In addition, many drawbacks of deep chemical peels can be avoided including pigmentary abnormalities, erythema, and scarring. This technique can be used in all skin types including Caucasian, Asian, African American.
Medical Roll CIT
The medical roll CIT (collagen induction therapy ) is a procedure developed to promote collagen deposition in the dermis, just below the surface of the skin. It is an effective procedure for acne scarring and upper lip wrinkles.
The developers of the medical roll CIT found that tatottoed skin was smoother than nontattooed skin. They found that the stimulation of the needles created focal areas of stimulation to the dermis, inducing the creation of collagen. In order to further stimulate collagen, topical vitamin A and C are applied before and after the roll CIT therapy. The vitamin A and C can more effectively penetrate the deeper layers of the dermis after medical roll CIT session.
While other modalities target collagen by removing lasers of skin, the Medical Roll CIT can stimulate collagen while leaving the majority of the superficial skin intact. The benefit to the patient is less pain in recovery, quicker recovery, and less chance of scarring or pigmentation changes than ablative skin therapys. In addition, the
medical Roll CIT can be used all skin types safely.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is an older technique, yet still effective in select types of scars. Dermabrasion works by removing the superficial layers of skin with a diamond burr. When the skin heals, it will be smoother and scars may be less visible. Deep scars and ice pick scars are not good candidates for this type of therapy. Darker skin types are also not good candidates for this therapy.
Subcision
Subcision is when deeper scars are released with a needle and relies on blood and body fluid to lift scars to surface of skin. Unfortunately, this technique can have drawback of unpredicable nature and temporary lifting of scars only to have them become depressed again. Dr. Shah utilizes a different approach where he subcises the skin and then uses fine sutures to maintain the improved skin and scar position. He also subcises skin and maintains positon with dermal fillers to allow for the newly positioned skin to heal in a flatter configuration.
The Science Behind Acne
Acne is a common skin inflammation. When hair follicles or pores in the skin get trapped, the acne bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes) multiply in the pit and become inflamed. There are many other factors in the acne story such as hormones.
When hormonal changes at puberty create excess oil, pores become blocked and are an open invitation to Acne bacteria. Commonly, patients are placed on systemic agents such as birth control antibiotics or oral antibiotics. The problem with such treatments is that it effects the entire body, can be cumbersome and inconvenient to the patient. In addition, long term systemic antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance.
The Medlux Intense Pulsed Light System work by two mechanisms. First of all, by reducing oil gland function while reducing the amount of the Acne bacteria. When used in combination with an enzyme peel which helps exfoliate and open the pores, acne can be dramatically improved. Intense Pulsed Light treatments are revolutionizing the treatment of acne with easy, quick and effective treatments to suppress acne without the problems associated with systemic therapys.
Finally, your acne treatment is not complete with a skin care home regimen customized to your skin, age, and problematic skin.
Acne Scars in Asians
Acne effects 80% of the population and unfortunately it often leaves a mark on a person. While skin therapy towards acne scarring has focused on lighter skin types, Asian skin has largely been ignored. Conventional acne scarring therapy will leave Asian skin scarred and discolored (hypo or hyperpigmented).
Dr. Shah is one of a select group of physicians who treats acne scars in Asians. He uses a combination of techniques to maximize skin improvement. He uses a special technique called CROSS TCA to specifically target acne scars. Essentially, he places a high concentration of an acid directly on the acne scar. The body's response is to deposit collagen directly below the scar, lifting it to the same level as the nonscarred skin.
"What is unique about this therapy is that all of the therapy is directed to the acne scarring and the unscarred portion of the skin is left alone. This allows the patient to heal much more rapidly and dramatically decrease downtime. Discoloration of the skin is virtually unheard of after this therapy."
"CROSS TCA is useful for specific types and patterns of acne scars. The best candidates have normal tissue interposed between the acne scars."
For confluent acne scars, Dr. Shah uses Medical Roll-CIT. Reseachers found that tattooed skin was smoother than areas free of tattoos. The Medical Roll CIT serves two purposes. First of all it directly stimulates the dermal tissues to create collagen deposition by mechanical stimulation. Second of all it serves to increase penetration of applied topical vitamin A and C. Similar to soil aeration where small holes are created in the soil to improve fertilizer penetration, the small holes serve to allow deep penetration of essential vitamin a and c therapy.
"The Medical Roll-CIT will not target small acne scars but is appropriate for tightly opposed acne scars."
Both of these therapies have revolutionized the approach to acne scars in Asian skin giving them treatment options not possible before.
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