Scars /Acne: Aesthetic Treatment Solutions | Dr Benjamin Cozanet Paris

Acne is characterized by skin gland blockage that produces sebum. In Western countries, 80% of teenagers and 25% of adults between the ages of 20-40 suffer from acne.

There are several ways to treat acne. The sooner it is treated, the lower the risk of scarring. So, it is highly recommended to consult an MD quickly if the lesions persist or extend.

Acne scars vary in appearance, complex characteristics must be considered, like depth, shape, color and localization.

Acne scars can be depressed or raised at prior pimple locations. These skin flaws are generally permanent and worsen with age.

Doctor Benjamin Cozanet can treat these flaws with hyaluronic acid filler injections or smoothing Skinboosters injections, if only a few scars exist. 

Dr Benjamin Cozanet also uses fractional ablative CO2 lasers because of the precision and effectiveness of their settings. He performs a dermabrasion to smooth the surface of the skin. Its ultra-precision delivers highly localized treatments. 

Why do I still get acne in my 30s? 

We haven’t really discovered why adult acne is on the rise. However, we can identify the factors which contribute to this pathology.

The main factor: hormones.

If adolescence remains an inevitable period of hormonal imbalance provoking acne, when you’re an adult, hormone treatments, the birth control pill and pregnancy will disturb the wellness of the pilosebaceous unit.

Why are certain men and women more affected than others? Their receptors within the pilosebaceous follicle are more receptive to androgens, plus enzyme anomalies which control the metabolism of these male hormones also contribute to the phenomenon. Beyond the hormonal factor, other factors can provoke adult acne: stress, lack of sleep, or the use of unsuitable cosmetic products. 

Adult vs Teen Acne

It’s entirely possible to have persistent acne throughout the teen years which continues into your adult years. 

Typically, it shows up like inflammatory flare-ups, especially for women during their pre-menstrual syndrome. However, acne can start in the adult years, without any prior acne history, with pimples showing up on the lower face. This phenomenon also intensifies during the pre-menstrual syndrome.

Dr Benjamin Cozanet will examine your skin, propose skin cleaning treatments, laser sessions, Skinboosters or hyaluronic acid injections to get rid of certain imperfections or scars.

Which scars can be corrected with hyaluronic acid?

Scars (acne, post-surgical or trauma related) which respond better are the “gentle slope” scars since they can easily be treated with injectable products like hyaluronic acid (used as a fine line and wrinkle filler) or Skinboosters.

Thanks to its volumizing power, hyaluronic acid will fill-in the scars and make them virtually invisible.

Treatment of acne scars with hyaluronic acid: a Step-by-Step Guide

After Dr Cozanet validates the treatment during your 1st consultation, he can immediately administer your hyaluronic acid injections in his 1st district Parisian clinic to correct the scars.

This virtually painless treatment is possible thanks to the lidocaine mixed directly into the injected hyaluronic acid solution. However, for more sensitive patients, an anesthetic cream can be applied onto the treatment area 45 minutes prior to the session.

According to the indication, scar and localization, the Doctor will select the most suitable hyaluronic acid (viscosity, diffusion, reticulation) or a Skinboosters hyaluronic acid. In general, he opts for a more fluid formula so that he can precisely position the treatment on the superficial layer of the dermis.

Results are immediate, and progress over time to reach the definitive result 15 days after the treatment, and last anywhere from 6-9 months.

The post treatment care is minimal requiring no social downtime. A light edema or bruise may appear but will vanish in the next 2-3 days.

Which laser therapy treats acne or other scars? 

Scars, which appear post-surgery, or from acne or after an accidental trauma can be treated by fractional CO2 laser therapy.  

CO2 lasers are ablative lasers which have been used for over 25 years in medical and aesthetic dermatology. They “shave-off” and destroy targeted tissues. If the results were excellent, the post-treatment period itself was heavy and uncomfortable (general anesthesia, bandages, redness, oozing fluid for weeks after).

Today, thanks to cutting-edge technology, it is possible to fraction the laser pulse and distribute it in such a way that it leaves small untouched areas of skin to promote faster healing. The anesthesia is thus unnecessary (perhaps the application of a topical cream) and there is no longer any social downtime (light effects for up to one week following the treatment at most).

Also, beyond its purely ablative effect which vaporizes the micro skin pores created by the photothermal effect, the CO2 laser heats the tissue deep down, which generates a tightening of the tissues through the photocoagulation process, which stimulates collagen synthesis in the dermis.

Dr Benjamin Cozanet uses the CO2 fractional laser daily to treat scars, but also fine lines and wrinkles. 

Scars: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Laser Treatment

An anesthetic cream is applied 1h30 minutes prior to the session and the application is renewed every 30 minutes.

Some pain can occur at the end of the session and for a few days post treatment.  Heating or burning sensations on the treatment area can arise. An antalgic will be prescribed.

Redness, swelling or oozing can occur. This will necessitate a post-laser healing protocol for 8 days. Bandages will be applied until the scarring process is complete, in the 10-15 days following the treatment, depending on the targeted zone. 

A bandage made of fatty substances will be applied and renewed every hour to hydrate the treatment area, until the scabs heal and disappear. Then moisturizing and repairing cream will be prescribed day and night for 15 days. Broad-spectrum sunscreen protection is a MUST for the 12 weeks following the session. 

The treatment includes 2-4 sessions and results become visible in 3-4 weeks. The sessions are scheduled 6-8 weeks apart. The scar removal is progressive, anywhere from 4-8 weeks following the laser session. In any case, acne scar laser therapy can only be performed when the acne is no longer active.

Preparing for Laser therapy 

A prior medical consultation with Dr. Benjamin Cozanet is mandatory: the consultation will help pinpoint contraindications (pregnancy, certain skin lesions) and provide you with the information and detailed estimate (including the number of sessions and the rates according to the targeted surface area). 

Patients who take isotretinoin (previously known as Roaccutane®) for their acne cannot receive any laser therapy until the prescription is finished. 

Tobacco is also a possible contraindication, which negatively affects the scar healing process. 

Avoid any sun exposure at least 1 month prior to treatment and any photosensitizing medication. 

Patients with a history of herpes must also take preventative treatment before and after the session.

Chemical Peels for acne and scars 

Peels eliminate the superficial layers of the epidermis to resurface smoother, clearer skin. We can then clarify our complexion by eliminating small red patches left over from the scars but also deeper marks that create indentations on the surface of the face.

Purify Peel (EneOMey laboratory) reduces the cohesion of the cells in the stratum corneum and facilitates the shedding of corneocytes to reduce the corneal plug. It thus treats hyperseborrhea and bacterial proliferation, which both provoke acne. 

https://www.eneomey.com/en/75-peels

For acne scar treatments, light or superficial feels are the best option. You apply a product on the treatment area, often formulated with fruit acids. (glycolic acid), which will “destroy” the skin cells on the surface and even out the epidermis by getting rid of irregularities.  

A deeper peel, formulated with trichloroacetic acid (TCA) can be used to treat deeper scars.