Acne affects roughly 50 million Americans, making it the most common skin disease in the United States. While adults can — and do — suffer from breakouts, acne usually begins during adolescence, affecting about 85% of people ages of 12-24.
But as devastating as breakouts can be, they’re just part of the problem. Data also show that of all those people who suffer from acne breakouts, about 20% go on to develop scars that leave a lasting reminder of the condition.
In Washington, DC, patients of all ages who are struggling with acne and acne scars turn to Todd Perkins, MD, and Edward Stolar, MD, at Metroderm DC: Medical, Laser, and Aesthetic Dermatology Center.
Our doctors are skilled in helping patients manage acne and prevent scars, while also providing solutions to eliminate scars that have already appeared.
Acne breakouts happen when dead skin cells and excess oils block your skin’s pores. Bacteria trapped inside the pores begin to multiply, feeding on the cells and oil. Inflammation follows, and your skin forms the papules and pustules you know as “zits.”
Ongoing inflammation leads to skin trauma and breakdown, which in turn causes scarring. Some scars are very shallow and clear up on their own. But others are deeper, creating visual changes in your skin that won’t go away without medical treatment.
Acne scars may either be depressed, forming divots in the skin’s surface, or they may rise above the surface of your skin. We can successfully treat both types of scars.
The best way to prevent acne scars is to begin working with a dermatologist at the first signs of acne and to continue treatments to keep serious acne at bay. But what if you already have acne scars? We have treatment options for that, too.
Like acne treatment, scar treatment requires a personalized approach based on the type of scarring you have, its extent, and other factors. While we offer several scar treatment options, they all focus on one key action: remodeling damaged collagen so your skin looks and feels smoother and clearer.
Microneedling uses a special device studded with tiny, fine needles to create a series of micro-injuries in the scar tissue and the surrounding skin. These injuries trigger healing reactions that include the production of new, healthy collagen and elastin.
We also offer microneedling in combination with radiofrequency (RF) energy for added benefits.
Venus Viva™ delivers precise doses of radiofrequency energy to the deeper layers of your skin, targeting the abnormal collagen development associated with acne scars. The FR energy helps break apart scar tissue while promoting the growth of healthy, new skin.
You can see benefits after a single treatment, but you may need a series of 3-4 treatments to achieve your final goal.
TCA cross stands for “trichloroacetic acid chemical reconstruction of skin scar,” and as the name implies, it uses a concentrated acid formula to treat so-called icepick scars or other deep acne scars.
During treatment, we apply the acid directly to the scar for a specific amount of time before neutralizing it and washing it away. The acid promotes skin remodeling, so scar tissue is replaced by healthy skin.
Subcision is an in-office technique to treat deep, elongated scars called boxcar scars or valley scars.
During this treatment, we insert a very slim needle into your skin just beneath the scar. By manipulating the needle, we release scar tissue that’s causing the scar’s depression, allowing your skin tissue to elevate to the level of the surrounding skin for a smoother complexion.
Acne scars don’t just affect the way you look — they affect your confidence, too. We work with you to create an acne scar treatment plan to help you enjoy the smoother, clearer skin you crave.
To learn more about acne scar treatments, call us 202-659-2223 or book an appointment online today with our team in Washington, DC.
