Many people consider acne to just be a problem for teenagers. However, acne outbreaks can happen to anybody, ranging from infants to seniors. It is the most common facial skin problem among Americans. As many as 40 to 50 million people have had at least one acne outbreak in their life. Unfortunately, bad or recurring acne outbreaks can leave behind scarring and pitting, which may actually worsen with age, as the skin starts to lose elasticity. This may lead some patients to ask Dr. Paul Pin about the possibility of a facelift procedure to not only revitalize their facial appearance, but also to improve the appearance of acne scars.

Causes of Acne

Acne occurs when the skin's sebaceous (oil) glands plug the pores with dead skin cells, dirt, or sweat. In severe cases, the plug may actually become infected. There are several factors that can cause acne, ranging from a diet high in greasy fatty foods, to greasy makeup, to oily hair, to stress.

Most standard treatments only address symptoms and can have severe side effects. Topical creams can redden, blister, or burn the skin. Antibiotics for acne infections can lead to diarrhea. Common non-surgical cosmetic treatments such as laser resurfacing, chemical peels or dermal abrasion are the best option to reduce the appearance of acne scars. However, these procedures can also redden the skin and make it sun-sensitive.

Facelift Procedure

A facelift procedure is designed to reduce the amount of loose, sagging skin due to collagen loss. As the body ages, it will loose collagen, which is a protein the body produces to fill out the skin over the skeletal structure. Loss of facial collagen can result in a gaunt, hollowed-out appearance to the face.

In a facelift procedure, Dr. Pin will make an incisions along the hairline and behind the ear. The skin and underlying tissue and muscle are then lifted away, pulled tight, then sutured back into place.

Can a Facelift Reduce the Appearance of Acne Scars?

A facelift procedure is not the optimal first choice for treating acne scars. Facelifts are performed in order to counteract the signs of aging around the face, while chemical peels, laser resurfacing, or dermal abrasions are better suited to treating acne scars.

Dr. Pin has seen several patients who have both acne scars and sagging skin around the face. For such patients, he strongly recommends having a chemical peel, dermal abrasion, or laser resurfacing procedure done first in order to reduce the appearance of acne scars. Patients should wait approximately two to three months to allow the body to fully heal before considering undergoing a facelift procedure.

Acne scars can be frustrating, particularly for older patients who may already have lost collagen around the facial features. Patients may be eager to deal with both problems at the same time. However, Dr. Pin recommends caution in order to properly address both problems. To learn more about facelift surgery and find out if you are a good candidate for treatment, contact Dr. Paul Pin today.