Acne Treatment In San Antonio, TX and Fairhope, AL
Below are images taken before and then 6 weeks after Vampire Facial® combined with subcision with PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma)
Acne Scars treated with a Vampire Facial® without pain, using a strong numbing cream
Acne scars are treated with a series of 3 Vampire Facials® (microneedling with PRP) spaced 6-8 weeks apart and can be combined with subcision for more severe scarring as in the photos above. Platelet Rich Plasma is known to stimulate remodeling of fibrotic, scarred tissue. It simultaneously triggers the body’s innate repair system to replace the poorly vascularized scar tissue with new, healthy tissue, rich with collagen and elastin.
Dr. Runnels treats a wide array of acne scarring issues using microneedling and PRP (Vampire Facial®). For more severe scars she combines subcision with intradermal andHer technique of combining the powerfully regenerative effects of PRP with aggressive subcision has been a game-changer for her patients with deeper, hard to treat scars. These same techniques can be applied to scars anywhere on the body, not just acne scars.
Below is a study showing improved effectiveness of subcision when combined with a Vampire Facial® using Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP):
Combination Therapy Using Subcision, Needling, And Platelet-Rich Plasma In The Management Of Grade 4 Atrophic Acne Scars: A Pilot Study.
Bhargava S, Kroumpouzos G, Varma K, Kumar U
Abstract Background:
Multimodality therapies including minimally invasive modalities are increasingly used in atrophic scarring.
Objective:
To evaluate the role of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as adjunctive therapy to a combined subcision and needling treatment in severe (grade 4) atrophic acne scarring.
Methods:
A total of 30 patients with grade 4 acne scars were randomly divided into two groups, 15 patients each: Group A underwent three sequential treatments of subcision and needling while Group B, three sequential treatments of subcision, needling, and topical application of PRP that were performed at 3-week intervals. Scar grading was assessed 3 months following the final session. Participant’s assessment of treatment response was registered.
Results:
Scar improvement ≥50% was reported significantly more often by Group B than Group A patients (P = 0.025). Regarding physician-based assessment of scar grading post-therapy (number of patients with two grades improvement vs one grade or no improvement), there was a trend toward more improvement in Group B (P = 0.195). Physician’s evaluation of acne scar improvement correlated with the patient’s assessment of improvement: 60% of Group A and 66.6% of Group B patients appreciated an improvement of 25%-49% and 50%-74%, respectively. Mean duration of postprocedure erythema/edema was shorter among Group B than Group A patients (16.1 vs 32.9 hours, respectively). Overall, substantial improvement was noticed in rolling and boxcar scars with only a mild change in icepick scars.
Conclusion:
Platelet-rich plasma appears to add to the improvement of grade 4 atrophic acne scars when combined with needling and subcision.