When your skin runs into trouble, it has impressive capabilities to heal itself. But sometimes, that healing process doesn’t go as smoothly as we would like, and we end up with scars that just don’t seem to fade.
This feels especially true for acne. Usually, your body takes care of your pimples with no lasting problems at all, but sometimes they leave troublesome scars behind instead.
At Chandler Eye Care Specialists, we know scars are more than just skin deep—they can affect your confidence every time you look in the mirror. If you feel self-conscious about acne scars, know you don’t have to feel alone! You have options for treating them, so you can finally leave acne behind you.
If you want an acne scar treatment in Mechanicsville, Chandler Eye Care can help. We offer powerful RF microneedling treatments to help reduce and improve the appearance of both scarring and hyperpigmentation caused by acne.
What causes acne scars, and why do they form?
Acne is a universal experience among the most common skin conditions worldwide. Roughly 80% of people aged 11 to 30 experience acne, and 1 in 5 will develop scars.
During an acne breakout, the affected pores swell and their walls break down. Small pimples create only shallow scars that can heal on their own quickly.
When you have a larger blemish, the contents of that blemish can spill into the surrounding tissue to cause deeper scars. These scars might not heal on their own, and as a result, they stick around for much longer.
Types of Acne Scars
We all generally know what acne scars look like, but we might not all understand the many different types of scars acne can cause. Some specific scar types require a different acne scar treatment in Mechanicsville, so we always understand which type of scars you have before customizing a treatment plan based on your skin needs.
Common types of acne scars include:
- Icepick scars: These scars are characterized by deep, narrow indentations in the skin. They often go deeper into your skin than other types of acne scars.
- Rolling scars: These common acne scars appear as indentations in the skin with sloping edges, and they can make skin look uneven or wavy.
- Boxcar scars: As the name suggests, this type of acne scar appears as broad, box-like depressions in the skin. Cystic and nodular acne often lead to boxcar scarring, as these severe breakouts damage the skin more deeply.
- Atrophic scars: This category of scar appears as indentations in the skin caused by a lack of collagen and elastin. Severe cystic acne can cause atrophic scars by damaging the skin’s deeper layers.
Everyone’s skin looks different, and we never offer a “one-size-fits-all” solution to skincare. During your consultation, a trained member of our team will assess your skin’s condition and determine what form of acne scarring you have. Then, we build a custom treatment plan based on your personal needs.
Treat Acne Early to Prevent Scars
To avoid acne scarring, prevent acne altogether. Although you can’t avoid every breakout, you can take steps to minimize scarring before pursuing acne scar treatment in Mechanicsville.
- Practice good skincare: Keeping up with a daily cleansing routine can work wonders at preventing acne breakouts. We recommend cleansing regularly with a gentle cleanser, wearing sunscreen, and avoiding harsh products that can irritate the skin.
- Never pick, squeeze, or pop pimples: Though it may be tempting to pop pimples as soon as you see them, it’s important to leave your acne and let it heal on its own. When you pick, pop, or squeeze your acne, you significantly increase inflammation in the skin and the likelihood of scarring.
- Don’t pick at scabs: Your skin creates scabs as part of the natural healing process. Scabs work as a bandage to protect acne wounds as they heal. Picking them off interrupts and prolongs the healing process, and as a result, increases the likelihood of scarring.
Sometimes, you can follow these steps to a tee and still have scars from acne. Thankfully, aesthetic treatments can help to reduce the appearance of acne scars and rejuvenate your skin at the same time.
Exion RF Microneedling Explained: A Solution for Stubborn Acne Scars
At Chandler Eye Care, we offer powerful Exion RF Microneedling treatments to help reduce your acne scars while evening out your skin texture and improving your complexion. RF microneedling can treat many skin concerns, including:
- Acne scars
- Hyperpigmentation
- Wrinkles and fine lines
- Sagging skin
- Uneven skin texture
- Skin laxity
- Dull complexion
How does RF Microneedling work?
RF microneedling combines the benefits of traditional microneedling with radiofrequency (RF) energy to enhance your skin’s texture, tone, and firmness. The device creates controlled “micro-injuries” with ultra-fine needles while simultaneously delivering RF energy to deeper skin layers, stimulating collagen production and promoting skin tightening.
Collagen proteins give you skin healthy structure and flexibility, and boosting collagen production helps smooth and fill acne scars over time.
To supplement the effects of traditional microneedling, RF microneedling also delivers heat through radiofrequency energy. This helps to treat the deeper skin layers and provides more noticeable tightening and collagen stimulation. The combination of the RF energy with the microneedling makes the Exion device an exceptional acne scar treatment in Mechanicsville.
RF Microneedling: What You Can Expect
If you want to take the first step towards saying ‘goodbye’ to your acne scars once and for all, you’ve come to the right place. Every provider takes a different approach to treatment, so here’s what you can expect when you begin your skincare journey with Chandler Eye Care.
The Consultation
Our initial consultation gives our team a chance to get to know you better. During this conversation, a member of our team will talk to you about your medical history and your goals for your skin. This will help us determine if RF microneedling is the right treatment for you. We might suggest an alternative treatment if a different procedure better aligns with your goals.
Different skin concerns call for specialized treatments. If you’re dealing with skin laxity, explore the benefits of skin toning in Mechanicsville and see what it can do for you!
Pre-Care
To prepare for your acne scar treatment in Mechanicsville, we recommend you refrain from consuming any NSAIDs (like ibuprofen), fish oil, or ginseng up to 1 week before. You will also need to stay out of the sun and avoid using any retinol products on your skin for 2 weeks prior.
For your appointment, you will need to remove any metal from your body, including facial piercings, if you have any.
The Treatment
On the day of your treatment, arrive at your appointment with skin free of makeup and lotion. After you get checked in, you can relax in one of our treatment rooms while we prep you for your treatment.
Your RF microneedling provider will cleanse your skin before beginning the procedure. As we move the Exion device across the treatment area, it makes tiny “micro-wounds” in the skin. Simultaneously, the tip of each needle releases RF waves into the deeper layers of your skin. You may feel a mild warming sensation along with the needling, but most people tolerate the treatment well.
We are also proud to offer the application of exosomes on the treated area at the end of the treatment. This can greatly enhance the rejuvenation of the skin, reduce inflammation and pigmentation, and speed the healing process.
Each session typically lasts around 30 minutes, although the exact time varies depending on the treatment area.
After-Care
After your procedure, make sure to stay well hydrated and drink plenty of water. We recommend eating a variety of antioxidant-rich foods and cleansing and moisturizing your skin gently every night.
Try to avoid direct sunlight, and don’t wear any makeup on the treated area for 3 days. In the unlikely event that any scabs form on the treated area after your Exion treatment, refrain from picking at them.
The Results
You should see initial results from your Exion RF Microneedling treatment about 1 week after your first session. Full results will continue to develop over several months as your collagen rebuilds the skin.
Our team often recommends a series of 4 to 5 initial sessions to reduce your acne scars effectively with RF microneedling. We also suggest scheduling a touch-up session once a year to maintain your desired results.
To help you achieve the best results from your treatment, our team also offers skin rejuvenation services. Learn more about our facial rejuvenation process in Mechanicsville and discover your options for clearer, healthier skin.
Schedule Your Acne Scar Treatment
In Mechanicsville, RF microneedling offers a cutting-edge solution for those struggling with acne scars. If you want a long-lasting solution to rejuvenate your skin and reduce your scars, contact Chandler Eye Care Specialists to begin a conversation with a trusted professional.
Your journey toward clearer, more confident skin begins now. Request an appointment to get started.
