| Acne scarring is a frustrating problem for both | | | | damaged by prior severe acne. Click here for |
| patients and physicians. It has a high prevalence | | | | more information, including preoperative and |
| (up to 95% in studies) and can be psychologically | | | | postoperative instructions. |
| devastating to patients with severe cases. The | | | | Subscision |
| cause of acne scarring is complex and poorly | | | | Subscision is an excellent treatment for "rolling" or |
| understood. | | | | "boxcar" type acne scars, which often have |
| Dr. Fife has a special interest in the treatment of | | | | fibrous attachments holding the base of the scar |
| acne scars in patients of all races and skin types. | | | | down to the underlying deeper tissue. After the |
| He spent 2 years working under renowned acne | | | | surrounding skin is numbed with a local anesthetic, |
| scarring therapy experts in Orange County, CA | | | | a small needle is carefully inserted under the skin |
| and Chicago, IL. His training taught him that every | | | | to sever and release these attachments beneath |
| acne scarring patient cannot be approached in the | | | | the scar. During the healing process, collagen |
| same way—each case must be carefully | | | | remodeling occurs and new collagen is laid down |
| evaluated, treated by the most appropriate | | | | underneath the scar, further improving the |
| modality, and monitored closely postoperatively | | | | smoothness of the skin. Occasionally a filler |
| for side effects. | | | | substance can also be injected under the scars |
| The Surgical Dermatology & Laser Center | | | | after subscision to make the scar look less visible |
| offers comprehensive treatment of acne scarring. | | | | and to produce the results wanted. Dr Fife is an |
| Treatments offered include: subcision, Fractional | | | | expert in subscision techniques, and was asked to |
| CO2 laser, chemical peels, fillers injected | | | | direct a clinical study involving subscision and filler |
| underneath scars, and mini-excisions of large | | | | injections for acne scarring for Northwestern |
| scars. Dr. Fife spent 2 years working under leading | | | | University. |
| experts in acne scarring therapy in Orange | | | | Chemical Peel |
| County, CA and Chicago, IL and has participated in | | | | Chemical peels work by producing a controlled |
| clinical studies on various acne scarring treatments. | | | | injury to the top layers of the skin, which is |
| During your consultation with Dr. Fife, your specific | | | | followed by a healing response that produces |
| scars are categorized (rolling, boxcar, icepick, | | | | smoother, softer, more youthful skin. Superficial |
| hypopigmented, etc) and a treatment plan will be | | | | chemical peels are useful for decreasing the signs |
| tailored for your specific skin tone and scars, | | | | of aging such as fine lines, but can also be used to |
| which can significantly improve the appearance of | | | | treat brown spots, melasma, acne, acne scarring, |
| the skin. | | | | and keratoses. Superficial chemical peels are safe |
| Fractional CO2 Laser | | | | in all types of skin, including ethnic skin. There is |
| Fractional lasers have revolutionized the treatment | | | | virtually no downtime after such peels. |
| of acne scarring. The procedure involves the | | | | Chemical peels are used in two ways for acne |
| delivery of a laser beam which is broken up into | | | | scarring: |
| hundreds of very small columns, which put tiny | | | | 1. The first method is the CROSS technique, in |
| holes in the skin. As these small wounds heal, new | | | | which a small amount of high concentration of |
| collagen is laid down underneath the skin (a | | | | trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is placed directly into an |
| process called "collagen remodeling"), which can | | | | acne scar, creating a wound. The collagen |
| smoothen out the surface of the skin. To see a | | | | remodeling and healing process that ensues can |
| video of fractional CO2 therapy, click here. | | | | smoothen out the skin at the site. Usually multiple |
| Advantages over traditional CO2 resurfacing | | | | treatments are required. |
| include faster healing time and a slightly lower risk | | | | 2. The second method is a total face chemical |
| of complications. As part of a comprehensive | | | | peel, in which a lower concentration of TCA, |
| acne scarring treatment plan, fractional laser | | | | Jessner's solution, salicylic acid, or glycolic acid. The |
| resurfacing can improve skin which has been | | | | skin is rejuvenated as it heals. |