Philosophy
Dr. Shah uses a symbiotic approach to acne scars. He has found that more than one mode of treatment provides the best results. This approach involves switching between techniques to avoid acne scar plateau
Before and After
Lips are the most sensual feature of the face. Patients seeking lip augmentation can be as young as in their twenties to much older patients. Younger patients are often seeking a more seductive look to their face and more volume.

Post-acne scarring is quite common. An atrophic acne scar is where permanent, postinflammation degradation of the dermal surface.
About 95% of acne patients will have some degree of acne scarring. Acne scarring tends to look worse with aging.

There are said to be three different phases of acne scarring:
- Inflammation- this is where inflammatory mediators are brought about and swelling and localized inflammation is seen.
- Granulation Tissue Formation.
- Matrix remodeling- imbalance of metalloproteinases and mmp inhibitors.
The scars occur as there is degradation of collagen fibers and subcutaneous fat. There is also thought to be a genetic disposition of some patients to scar versus others.
Click Here For More Before and After Pictures.
What causes Acne Scars to occur?
Acne is typically a localized skin infection of the face. The infection can lead to redness, inflammation and sometimes scarring.
Acne is thought to occur because the oil in the skin, called sebum, feeds the bacteria that cause acne. The most common type of acne is from the bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes. More severe variants of acne, particularly pustular acne, can be caused by other types of acne, including Staphylococcus Aureus.
When the body has a vigorous response, almost inappropriately strong, to acne bacteria, this can lead to inflammation. Intense inflammation over time cause scarring. Some people are more prone to scarring than others. Some patients with intense inflammation can end up with significant disfiguring scars.
Acne scars treatments
LASER RESURFACING
PINPOINT IRRADIATION
Combination of Resurfacing and Pinpoint Irradiation
Fractora
Subcision
CROSS (CHEMICAL RECONSTRUCTION OF SKIN SCARS)
Medical Roll CIT
The science of acne
The types of acne scars
Acne Scar Classification
- Grade 1 Maccular scarring or flat scarring that is charcterized by flat area of increase or decreased pigmentation visible from a distance of >500mm
- Grade 2 Mild disease that is visible at distances of >500 mm and can be covered up by make-up
- Grade 3 Moderate disease that is visible at > 500 mm and is not easily covered up by make-up or the normal shadow of a shaved beard. Stretching the skin can flatten the scar.
- Grade 4 Severe disease as in Grade 3 but is not flattened out by stretching the skin
Recovery Time
The recovery time can vary from treatment to treatment and the level of intensity. Patients wanting more aggressive treatments may want to have stronger settings at the expense of longer downtimes and more skin abnormalities. Patients can fine tune their experience to maximize their results while achieving a level of recovery acceptable to their work and social schedule. As every patient heals at a different rate, patients should be cautious about exact recuperation times.
Frequently asked questions
The downtime is typically about 4 days.
You are able to wear makeup after one week once you have healed.
Overall the Medical Roll CIT procedure is very safe. However, realistic side effects that you may expect are prolonged swelling and redness.
The most safe and effective treatment for the majority of patients with acne scars is the Fractional CO2 Laser. This laser is a new, so called “fractional” laser. This means that the laser works by resurfacing only a “fraction” of the skin at a time, leaving the surrounding area intact for faster healing. This vastly reduces the incidence of side effects and has given us the ability to treat all skin types.
Real Patient Testimonial:
The CO2 fractional laser pokes tiny microscopic holes in the skin down past the epidermis and into the dermis. These holes cause new collagen to be generated which fills in the acne scars and creates rejuvenated smoother skin.
Most patients start to notice improvements in their skin as early as 1 week after the treatment. Continued improvements occur for the next 6 months and peak at around month 6. Most patients notice between 50-70% improvement of the condition treated. However, results vary by individual.
The vast majority of patients require only 1 treatment to achieve the desired results. Since the treated area continues to improve for the 6 months following the laser treatment, we re-evaluate the need for any additional treatments at that time. All treatments are performed in our practice located off Michigan Avenue in Chicago.
Dr. Shah safely treats acne scars in patients with all skin types including Asian, Indian, and African-American skin. An experienced laser surgeon is needed to treat darker skin types safely.
The fractional CO2 laser causes a wound in the skin which means you will have three to four days of downtime when the skin is healing. During that time you have to apply an ointment frequently to your face keep the skin greasy, which makes healing faster.
The main risks are temporary or long-lasting light or dark spots from treatment. Very rarely scarring can still result. For these reasons it is important to be treated by an experienced laser surgeon.
The whole procedure is done under local or topical anesthesia. You are awake and comfortable the entire time. Prior to the procedure, topical numbing cream is applied for 60-90 minutes. In addition, valium is given prior to the procedure to facilitate relaxation. Using these measures there is usually minimal discomfort during the resurfacing procedure.
About Us
Dr. Shah is a double board certified facial plastic surgeon who has written over 50 scientific articles including three landmark articles about facial anatomy revolutionizing the way plastic surgery is performed. Dr. Shah specializes in Acne Scars Treatment and takes an analytical approach to patient recovery after the procedure. Based in Chicago, IL; Dr. Shah is not only recognized as one of the top plastics surgeon not only in the city of Chicago, but in the world.
Related procedures: Picosure Laser, Skin Care.