PHOTO GALLERY

Acne scar pics before and after

Caption:
Patient with improved acne scars after one treatment with Medical Roll-CIT by Dr. Shah. Patient wtih prominent acne scars despite previous treatments with retinoic acid, chemical peels, and C02 laser therapy by outside physician.

Information Acne Scars:

Acne scars are one of the most difficult problems to correct. Acne scars can vary in shape and depth and therefore a variety of treatments may be appropriate. Another important consideration with acne scar is the pigmentation of the skin.

Traditional approaches to acne scars include full face ablative techniques, including C02 laser and dermabrasion. While these modalities may have some merit for specific patients and skin types, they may lead to a host of problems including hypo and hyperpigmentation, further scarring. Furthermore, these techniques may lead to extensive periods of downtime and erythema (redness).

Newer modalities of acne scarring exist on the premise of reducing scarring, but minimizing risk to the patient and downtime. Medical roll-cit offers a novel approach to acne scars by leaving the majority of skin intact while offering deep penetration. The deep penetration serves to stimulate collagen formation. Cross-TCA works by applying high concentration of TCA to areas to again leave the majority of epidermis intact. Both modalities can be used in a wider range of skin types than traditional modalities.

Information: 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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More patient photographs can be seen in Dr.Shah's office.