column (e.g. in newspaper)
2025.07.13
Scar treatment for acne scars: An external approach.
As an Assistant Professor, Associate Ward Director, and Chief of Dermatopathology at the university hospital dermatology department, I deepened my expertise through academic presentations and paper publications both domestically and internationally. I have handled a wide range of treatments, from birthmark therapy in children to adult pigmentation concerns, utilizing various lasers and injection therapies, while also contributing to community healthcare. Through encountering numerous cases, I strongly felt the potential and necessity of aesthetic medicine, resolving to pursue further expertise. Building upon my solid dermatological knowledge and meticulous diagnostic skills, I value treatments that gently support each individual's skin while bringing out its inherent beauty.
The most troublesome thing about acne scars is definitely scarring!! I still have quite a few shallow ones myself, but basically, even with an external approach—meaning from the surface—they've improved significantly.
These days, I can't help but place my hopes on treatments that work from the inside out...!
I am Dr. Aya Hayama, a board-certified dermatologist.
The other day, types of acne scars https://biancaclinic.jp/wp/wp-admin/post.php?post=43133&action=edit
Scar Treatment Using Dermapen Wound Healing + More https://biancaclinic.jp/wp/wp-admin/post.php?post=42870&action=edit
I have written about this, but have you understood?
Today, for an external approach to acne scars and acne marks, I recommend TCA Cross, Dermapen (see previous post), and Potenza.
And then,TCA CrossとDermapenIt started becoming popular around 9-10 years ago after it came out.potenzaI hope to write about it.
At the time, it was strongly associated with treating acne scars and acne scarring, but in reality, by changing the tip, it became possible to perform quite different treatments as well.
First, let's start with the TCA peel.
TCA Cross
TCA Cross is a treatment called TCA CROSS (chemical reconstruction of skin scar), which involves applying high-concentration trichloroacetic acid directly to acne scars, specifically to depressed areas and deep ice-pick-like craters, to improve their appearance.
While lower concentrations are used in treatments like the Massage Peel and Bio Peel (Milan Peel), this treatment employs a concentration ten times stronger.High-concentration trichloroacetic acid damages the skin in the crater.
TCA cross not only affects the epidermis but also the dermis, utilizing the skin's regenerative power to produce collagen and other substances. This helps reduce the appearance of acne scars, pits, and craters.
For Asian patients, treatment is performed on a point-by-point basis due to the particular risk of scarring and hyperpigmentation. This delicate procedure involves meticulously adjusting the amount and depth of the medication as it is carefully injected into each individual pore or crater.
Progress of acne scars, with one treatment session.
https://biancaclinic.jp/treatment_category/skin-care/acne/tcacross/
potenza
POTENZA is a high-frequency device capable of addressing various skin concerns.RF: Radio FrequencyA multi-platform treatment for the skin.microneedleinsert an ultra-fine needle called,Irradiate high-frequency waves from the needle tipWe perform hemostasis using high-frequency energy while utilizing various specialized tips (see below) to address a wide range of skin concerns, including melasma, acne scars and craters, sagging skin, and fine lines.
・Liver spots (both cheeks)
Potenza directly applies high-frequency energy to the melanocytes themselves, effectively suppressing the production of melanin that causes melasma.
Through a fundamental approach, it reduces the risk of worsening melasma and vitiligo regardless of skin type.
This new treatment focuses on post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and enables high-frequency energy at parameters that do not destroy melanocytes.
・Pores・Acne scars・Craters・Redness (Full face)
McCoom, a formulation that uses fine needles to puncture the skin, promotes wound healing in the dermis by emitting high-frequency waves from the needle tips alongside surface wound healing effects. This stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, components essential for beautiful skin. It utilizes a fine-particle biodegradable polymer (PLLA) formulation. When injected subcutaneously, it promotes dermal collagen production, improving pores and acne scars.
・Diamond Tightening (Full Face)
This treatment utilizes the POTENZA Diamond, a non-needle tip device.
This tip enables tightening treatment by delivering uniform energy deep into the tissue through continuous high-frequency irradiation of monopolar and bipolar electrodes in a single shot. It also features minimal burden on the skin, reduced pain, and virtually no downtime.
・Iron (full face)
This treatment uses microneedles to deliver radiofrequency (RF) energy, promoting skin tightening. By applying RF energy to the collagen in the dermis, protein denaturation occurs within the skin, resulting in a lifting effect. Furthermore, the wound healing effect after irradiation promotes collagen production during the repair process of thermal damage. This collagen generation increases skin firmness and elasticity, leading to a more resilient and radiant complexion.
・Fine lines around the eyes (eye area)
Using a needle-free tip, it instantly delivers high-frequency energy to the epidermis, creating micro-sized micro-injuries. This triggers the wound healing response to promote skin resurfacing (skin regeneration and rejuvenation). It is effective for improving skin texture, enhancing skin firmness, and reducing fine lines. Redness and unevenness may appear after treatment but typically subside by the next day.
・Inflamed acne
Using insulated needles, it is possible to deliver high-frequency energy directly to the sebaceous glands without causing inflammation of the epidermis, thereby destroying the sebaceous glands.
POTENZA offers a variety of tips tailored to specific treatment objectives.
Potenza inserts ultra-fine needles called microneedles into the skin and emits high-frequency energy from the needle tips. In addition to the aforementioned applications, the single-needle device is also expected to be effective for treating syringomas.
Potenza's Key Points
① Deliver the medication to the dermis
Chips equipped with Potenza's unique drug delivery system ensure ingredients penetrate deeply and evenly into the skin. Three synergistic effects are expected: the insertion of microneedles into the skin, the skin regeneration process triggered by radiofrequency heat, and the efficacy of the medication.
② Reduced downtime
Conventional microneedle treatments often caused bleeding and tended to result in longer downtime when targeting deeper skin layers.
However, Potenza reduces bleeding by emitting high-frequency energy from the needle tip, enabling treatment with shorter downtime than conventional methods.
③Selecting the appropriate tip based on skin concerns and treatment objectives
The Potenza system offers a variety of treatment tips tailored to specific skin concerns and treatment objectives. These include tips with varying needle counts and lengths suited to therapeutic goals, as well as innovative options unavailable in conventional microneedling treatments. Examples include tips with integrated drug delivery systems, tips designed to deliver thermal energy precisely to targeted areas, and tips capable of uniformly affecting all skin layers.
Here's a personal musing from me, a dermatologist...
I have high hopes for Needle RF, which offers various treatments beyond just acne and acne scars.
Stimulating the sebaceous glands or applying heat to the surface may disrupt antimicrobial proteins and the bacterial flora, potentially causing temporary folliculitis. If you have concerns, please consult us.
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