Acne Scars Treatment with Dermapen Microneedling and TCA Cross Tecnique

Acne Scars was always  one of the most stubborn area in our practice to treat. Not till we discovered Dermapen Microneedling and TCA Cross method. They can be used separately or combined depending on the nature of scars. 

In the past we relied on lasers and variety of chemical peels, which were helpful for minor and superficial scars. The downside was recovery time, laser treatment cost and limitations.

“Scars are areas of fibrous tissue (fibrosis) that replace normal skin after injury. A scar results from the biological process of wound repair in the skin and other tissues of the body. With the exception of very minor lesions, every wound (e.g. after accident, disease, surgery) results in some degree of scarring. Scar tissue is the same protein (collagen) as the tissue that it replaces, but the fiber composition of the protein is different. Instead of a nice “basket weave” formation of fibers, the collagen in scar tissue is aligned in a single direction resulting in a pronounced and thicker appearance. 

Acne treatments for most are long term and can result in scarring. There are multiple causes of acne including hormone dysfunction, allergies, environmental factors and nutrition deficiencies. Acne scars result after skin follicles become blocked by excessive oils and the physiology of keratin and old skin cells trigger an inflammatory response reaction. The skin will attempt to heal and the scar tissue results as the collagen becomes deformed and thickens. Acne scars are categorized as being “ice- pick”, “rolling” or “boxcar.”

The Dermapen® treatment can provide drastic results improving the appearances of the scars. The micro needles of the Dermapen® create new collagen and elastin to be generated and deposited called collagenesis, however the added benefit of new capillary growth is also a result which can improve blood supply to the area which helps create healthier existing skin as well as provide a healthy foundation for the new skin. The physical nature of “skin-needling” breaks up this fibrous and uneven scar tissue and stimulates the growth of new tissue. Currently there are ablative and non-ablative treatments offered which can damage the epidermis and evaporate the skin leading to thinner epidermis problems. The Dermapen® keeps the epidermis integrity full intact while treating the area which quickens healing time and causes less pain.” Source: http://www.dermapen.com.

In addition to the new Microneedling technique we employ TCA Cross Method with TCA 80% that applied directly to the bottom of the “Ice-Pick” scar with a toothpick, re-traumatizing the tissue and forcing it to re-heal. That results in more shallow less deep looking scars.
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More information on microneedling with dermapen: www.ballantyneskincare.com.

Here are also my favorites to treat and prevent acne: Clarisonic Brush, Blue Light LED Device and Probiotics to boost your skin immunity from New Chapter:

Clear + Brilliant Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing with Minimum Downtime

I’m a busy working woman just like so many of you.  Lots of appointments, tight schedule… Due to what I do for a living, I am always open to any new gadgets or lotions or creams that will help me and my customers to look youthful, erasing several months or even a couple of years of skin damage from the regular suspects: environmental pollution, stress or just aging and life’s damage,

So when Solta Medical, one of the industry’s strongest sources, recently released their “Clear & Brilliant” procedure, I was ready to take it for a test-drive.

Personally, I can’t give the time for a procedure with a lot of downtime.  No more than two days usually, typically Saturday and Sunday. So I prefer less invasive, low-trauma technique to give me nice, glowing skin.

 

(In the past I’ve tried various resurfacing, Fraxel and all kinds of chemical peels. I’ve had great results from those treatments but it was always worrying, “Will I heal in time to go back to work or travel..?”

After my Clear and Brilliant procedure, I felt “ready-to-go,”  For about an hour I felt warm on the surface, then for another hour I was red, then I changed to a more dark pink “flushed” appearance.

Through Day One – I was dry; Day Two – drier.  Days Three and Four – it felt like tiny grains of sandpaper grit was sloughing off my skin taking my “sun spots” with them.

All side effects were visible only to me and were easily covered by light make up.

Day 5 – a nice fresh look! Through the whole process I was able to maintain my lifestyle with no special adjustments.

“Amazing,” was my reaction!  This is a lifesaver for people who want to maintain their skin but can’t do anything major due their busy schedule.

To achieve desirable results, we recommend having 4 procedures done 3 weeks apart.

To my surprise even my most sensitive patients were able to benefit from this awesome new laser, along my Asian, Hispanic and African-American patients who are much more prone to side effects from other laser treatments.

Find out more information about Clear and Brilliant here >>.

Laser Hair Removal Questions and Answers by Advanced Skin Care in Charlotte, NC

Which is the best laser for hair removal?
It depends on your skin type. For lighter skin the gold standart is Alexandrite 755nm wavelength laser, for darker skin type it is ND YAG with 1064nm wavelength. Avoid laser treatments for hair with IPL machines, their wavelength is shorter and procedures will be less effective resulting in more treatments. We use Cynosure Apogee Elite with combination of the wavlengths mentioned above. See our comprasion chart on different devices: Compare Lasers for Hair Removal.

How does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Laser removal handpiece emit pulses of light into the hair follicles. The light is absorbed by the pigment in the follicles and converted to heat. The heat then loosens the hair and disables the cells responsible for growing new hair.

What body areas can be treated?
Any area, except around the eyes. THe upper lip, face, neck, underarms, bikini line, legs, chest and back can all be treated.

What should you expect?
Immediately after treatment, you can expect a mild sunburn-like sensation, possibly accompanied by some minor swelling. This usually lasts 2-24 hours, and can be soothed with cold gel or ice packs.

The treated hair will continue to appear for 7-30 days post-treatment. This is not new hair growth, but the treated hairs being expelled from the skin.

At any given time, some of your hair is not in a phase of active growth. Therefore you will need more then one treatment to affect the growth of all your unwanted hair.

Typically, 5-6 treatments will be necessary to archive permanent hair reduction. People with Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), Menopausal changes, hormone disorders, as well as male patient with higher level of testosteron may require more treatment or touch ups after they finished with all hair cycles.


What do I need to do before my appointment?

To insure an effective and safe treatment we would ask you to stop tanning 4 weeks before your treatment, you can resume tanning 2 weeks after the treatments. If you are using tanning lotions, please, make sure that all remaining lotion is gone from your skin before your appointment.

You would need clean shave the area that you desire to treat on the night before your treatment or the morning of.

Please do not wax, tweeze or use any chemical depilatory creams in between your treatments, shaving is ok if you want to continue to do so.

Post Treatment

I found that Aloe Vera Gel with no fragrancies or coloring one of the best and inexpensive post laser treatment option to sooth the skin.

If you have any question call us at 704 295-9099 or visit trusted Charlotte Laser Hair Removal medical office at 10352 Park Rd, Charlotte NC 28210. For more information visit www.BallantyneSkinCare.com.

Cosmelan MD for Melasma and Age Spots in Charlotte NC!

Cosmelan MD is now available in Charlotte, NC!

Pigmentation or skin discolorations are a consequence of many factors such as; sun exposure, aging, hormonal fluctuation due to pregnancy or menopause and trauma to the skin such as acne. Successfully treating these skin imperfections is possible, lightening the visible discolorations and inhibiting the cycle which causes pigment to surface later can be achieved with Cosmelan Depigmentation Treatment.

Cosmelan Depigmentation Treatment consists of two phases. It is imperative that both be used according to direction to achieve complete success. Phase 1 – For professional use only. Cosmelan 1 Mask is applied in office and left on the skin for a period of time which is determined by the professional according to skin color and type. The mask is removed with mesoestetic® Cleansing Milk and followed by an application of Hydravital Factor K Cream.

Phase 2 – At home maintenance. Cosmelan 2 is applied at home according to the recommended protocol of the professional and is followed daily with Hydravital Factor K Cream and Complete Moisturizing Sunscreen or Dermatological Complete Sunscreen SPF 50. The objective of this highly effective maintenance cream is to ensure the continued depigmentation of skin discolorations while restoring luminosity. Results: Cosmelan Depigmentation Treatment offers a non-invasive depigmentation action for all skin types. Highly effective for all kinds of hyperpigmentation (Melasma, Chloasma, UV and PIH)

In Advanced Skin Care we use Cosmelan MD is the old improved formula that everybody loved and got good results from. It contains prescriptions strength ingredients and works on all skin types. Call for a complementary consultation to find out if this is a right treatment for you: 704 295-9099