Treatments for acne scars and rosacea differ significantly because they address distinct skin issues: acne scars involve textural changes and pigmentation, while rosacea is a chronic condition characterized by redness and inflammation. A combination approach is often needed to achieve optimal results.
Acne Scar Aesthetic Treatments
Acne scars can be depressed (atrophic, like ice pick, boxcar, and rolling scars) or raised (hypertrophic) and often require procedures that stimulate collagen or physically remove scar tissue.
Laser Resurfacing: Ablative lasers (e.g., CO2 or Erbium) remove the top layer of skin to promote significant collagen remodeling and are effective for deeper scars, while non-ablative or fractional lasers stimulate collagen with less downtime.
Microneedling / RF Microneedling: This creates micro-injuries to trigger the body's healing process and new collagen production, improving texture for rolling and boxcar scars. Combining it with radiofrequency (RF) energy enhances results.
Chemical Peels: Medium to deep peels, including TCA CROSS for ice pick scars, remove damaged skin layers to stimulate collagen and improve texture and discoloration.
Dermal Fillers: Injectable fillers (e.g., hyaluronic acid) can immediately raise depressed (atrophic) scars to the level of the surrounding skin, making them less noticeable.
Injections: Corticosteroid injections help to flatten raised (hypertrophic and keloid) scars by breaking down excess collagen.
Subcision: A procedure using a needle to break up the fibrous bands that tether the skin down, lifting rolling scars to the surface.
Rosacea Aesthetic Treatments
Rosacea treatments focus on managing redness, visible blood vessels, and inflammation, as rosacea can cause persistent redness or even textural changes (like phymatous rosacea).
Vascular Lasers / IPL (Intense Pulsed Light): These are considered the gold standard for rosacea redness. They target hemoglobin in the blood vessels, causing them to collapse and fade, which reduces visible capillaries and flushing.
LED Light Therapy: Red and blue light therapy can help calm inflammation, reduce redness, and support the skin barrier, often used as an adjunct to other treatments.
Gentle Chemical Peels: Mild peels (e.g., lactic or mandelic acid) designed for sensitive skin can help reduce inflammation and improve skin tone without causing irritation.
Medical-Grade Skincare: A tailored routine including soothing ingredients like azelaic acid, niacinamide, and calming agents (chamomile, aloe vera) helps manage symptoms and protect the skin barrier.
Sun Protection: Strict daily use of a broad-spectrum, high-SPF sunscreen is vital, as UV exposure is a major trigger for rosacea flare-ups and can worsen redness and pigmentation. A consultation with a board-certified dermatologist is crucial for a correct diagnosis and a personalized plan, as treating acne scars and rosacea often requires a multi-modal approach.
