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Treating Acne Scars Methodically For Best Patient Outcome

Acne scars are generally difficult to treat. The treatment journey can be long and painful, requiring patients to adhere to treatments and post-treatment protocols. Yet despite its challenges, acne scars remain one of the most common skin issues we see in our clinic. 

In order to treat acne scars effectively, a methodical approach is needed because every acne scar patient can have different types of scar tissue which requires multiple treatment modalities.

In Radium Medical Aesthetics, we designed a 5-step acne scar treatment framework to methodically treat your scars more effectively and accurately. The steps are: ASSESS, MEASURE, DESIGN, TREAT, REVIEW.

Acne Scar Framework: ASSESS

No two people are identical, and the same goes for the skin and the type of scars you may have on your skin. By adopting this acne scar framework, our doctors have taken on a systematic approach by evaluating the size, location, texture and depth of each scar tissue during the assessment phase.  

This is why before we start each treatment, it must begin with examination of the skin.  A detailed map of your acne scars and their severity will be mapped out using an intricate photo-taking technology that captures and analyses the skin condition.

Acne Scar Framework: MEASURE

By measuring the skin thickness and the depth of each scar tissue with an ultrasound imaging system, the doctor will be more well-equipped to structure a customised treatment plan that works for your specific condition.

Measuring the skin thickness and depth of scar tissue also allows the doctors to precisely target the scars at the right depth during treatment. By doing so, you can be confident that your scars respond better to the treatments.

Acne Scar Framework: DESIGN

With a thorough understanding of your acne scars and your skin thickness, our doctors are now able to design a truly customised programme with a range of acne star treatments such as subcision, Genius RF microneedling, CO2 skin resurfacing laser, Tixel, or injectables like dermal filler treatment.

During this design phase, we work closely with you to design a programme that takes your lifestyle, expectations and budget into consideration.

Acne Scar Framework: TREAT

It is only after these careful planning steps that we start to treat the scars. Depending on the severity of the scars and your lifestyle, your customised treatment plan can take several weeks or months to complete.

Some treatments such as Genius radiofrequency microneedling and skin resurfacing lasers often require multiple sessions to achieve long-lasting, visible results.

As this is a long journey to a smoother, more beautiful skin, both you and the doctor must be committed to embark on this journey together.  

Acne Scar Framework: REVIEW

Along the way at different checkpoints, the doctor will review your progress, evaluating and monitoring the improvement of your acne scars and skin texture at regular intervals and at the end of the programme.

At various checkpoints, the doctor will determine if the progress is what he/she intended it to be. If not, the doctor may evaluate the options and tweak the treatment plan.

Treating acne scars is a long journey. But the road ahead does not have to be scary and uncertain. Because everyone is different, we need to design a treatment programme especially customised for you in order to give you the best possible results.

With a systematic approach to treating acne scars, you can be assured that you will receive the best care, achieving the best results with minimal complications.

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A non-surgical skin lifting, skin tightening treatment that takes about 1.5 hours to achieve a slimmer, more V-shaped face. 

Dissolvable threads are placed just under the skin to compress, anchor and lift loose, saggy skin upwards, reversing signs of skin ageing.

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Intense Skin Rejuvenation Treatment with Tixel

Up until recent years, aesthetic doctors in Singapore are still using CO2 skin resurfacing lasers to treat a variety of skin concerns, such as skin laxity, pigmentation and acne scars. Although effective, the downtime and other side effects associated with laser treatments are aplenty.

What is Tixel?

Tixel is a technology developed by Novoxel to bring about a radical change in how doctors address a wide range of skin issues, including depressed acne scars and skin laxity.

Unlike other therapies that are currently available, Tixel is not a laser, radiofrequency, microneedling or ultrasound treatment. It works by using a thermo-mechanical ablative (TMA) technology, a non-laser fractional technology that transfers thermal heat from the tip of the handpiece to the skin.

The tip of the handpiece that makes contact with the skin is bio-compatible that is about 1cm2 with an array of 81 pyramid-shaped pins made of titanium. When heated to about 400°C, the thermal energy gets quickly transferred from the apex of the pyramids to the skin in a fraction of a second, using a stamping motion.

How does Tixel work?

Depending the type of treatment, the machine can be programmed to determine the extent of energy transfer mainly by 2 components:

Tip’s exposure time with the skin between 5ms and 18ms; and

Protrusion to push the skin between 100µm and 1000 µm

These pins are not designed to perforate the skin so they are not sharp like a needle. It works by rapidly transferring thermal heat energy stored in the pins to the skin with a brief contact that lasts for a few milliseconds. The impact with the skin causes instant evaporation of moisture from the skin surface, resulting in formation of tiny micropores in the treated area.

Tixel has an added capability of opening tiny channels in the skin to allow increased absorption of skin care products and active ingredients such as Vitamin C or skin-lightening agents.

Differences between CO2 laser and Tixel

A common question people often ask is the differences between CO2 laser and Tixel. 

Both treatments heat up the skin to about 400 degrees Celsius to induce neocollagenesis in the treated area for plumping and skin lifting effects. 

However, there are some key differences between the two. 

CO2 laser treatment involves using a laser technology, so both the doctor and patient must wear protective eyewear during treatment.

As CO2 laser are ablative lasers that remove a thin superficial layer of the skin, it leaves the skin raw and red. During the post-laser recovery period, the skin may scab and become itchy. Without proper technique and post-treatment care, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and other risks may occur.

On the other hand, Tixel is not a laser device. The TMA technology merely transfers thermal heat to the skin in a fraction of a second.

As it does not perforate the skin, it reduces healing time and potential complications. At the same time, the impact and heat transfer result in new collagen formation by stimulating the skin’s natural healing process.

There are fewer side effects that are associated with CO2 lasers too. The skin may appear red for a few days after a Tixel treatment but it should resolve quickly in a few days.

Average cost of Tixel treatment in Singapore

Tixel treatment is less expensive as compared to CO2 lasers. Just like CO2 lasers, patients are encouraged to undergo at least 3 to 4 sessions to see visible results. With the repeated treatments, the savings for Tixel treatment can be substantial.

Hence, Tixel treatment is suitable for people who is on a budget.

It is recommended to undergo this treatment at least once every 4 weeks. Tixel can also be combined with other treatments to increase efficacy and improve treatment outcome.

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Profhilo is one the latest anti-ageing treatments that is recently launched in Singapore. Although it looks similar to dermal filler treatments, it is technically not a dermal filler.

It is a skin bioremodelling treatment that helps to improve skin texture and laxity.