A Guide to Acne Scar Treatments: Morpheus8, PRF, Plexr and More
Acne is often dismissed as a minor, if unsightly, skin problem. But living with breakouts can be painful and embarrassing. People with acne can also face unfair assumptions about their hygiene. When the pimples disappear but the scars remain, it can be hard to feel that the experience is behind you.
Some over-the-counter products can help mild acne, but they aren’t designed to treat established scars. Dr. Godley in Vancouver and Abbotsford B.C. offers several treatments that can help make acne scars less noticeable, including Morpheus8 RF microneedling, PRF, and Plexr Plus.
If you’re still experiencing active acne, Dr. Godley may recommend addressing it before treating acne scars. Depending on your skin and the type of acne, a treatment plan may include Morpheus8 RF microneedling with antibiotics. Morpheus8 can help break up cysts and target the sebaceous glands. He may also recommend nasal decontamination with SteriWave, which uses blue light.
What’s the difference between an acne mark and a scar?
Before we start, what is an acne scar? After a breakout heals, a flat red or brown spot can be left behind. It can take time to fade, but it doesn’t change the skin’s texture. An acne scar does: it can leave a small pit, a wider indentation or a raised area. The treatments below focus on these changes in texture.
Morpheus8 RF microneedling for acne scars
Morpheus8 is a treatment that combines microneedling with radiofrequency. A handheld device with very small needles is passed over the treatment area. The needles create tiny channels in the skin while delivering RF energy beneath the surface.
This triggers the skin’s healing response and stimulates collagen production. As collagen develops, it helps support the skin and can make indented acne scars look less deep, leaving the skin’s surface smoother. Results develop gradually, and a series of treatments is usually recommended.
PRP and PRF for acne scars
PRF stands for platelet-rich fibrin. It’s made from a small sample of your blood, which is spun in a centrifuge to prepare the treatment. Platelets and white blood cells in the PRF release growth factors involved in healing. The PRF is then injected into the skin or applied with microneedling.
Think of growth factors as messages that help skin cells begin their repair work. For acne scars, this supports collagen production and can gradually improve uneven texture and make indented scars less noticeable. A series of treatments may be recommended.
Plexr Plus for acne scars
Plexr Plus treats acne scars by creating tiny, controlled wounds on the skin’s surface. As they heal, the skin renews itself and produces collagen. This can smooth uneven texture and make scars less noticeable over time.
Unlike Morpheus8 or PRF, Plexr uses plasma energy instead of needles. Most people feel brief warmth, tingling or a slight pinch during treatment. Small brown dots or crusts appear as the skin heals and generally stay visible for five to seven days. An acne Plexr treatment plan may involve one to three sessions, depending on the area and extent of the scarring.
Chemical Peel for acne scars
Chemical peels come in different depths. A light peel removes the outermost layer of skin; a medium peel also reaches into the layer beneath it. Removing these layers encourages the skin to renew itself. For acne scars, this can improve shallow uneven texture, while deeper peels can also stimulate collagen as the skin heals. The peel and number of sessions depend on the scars and skin.
*Only available in Abbotsford
Surgery for acne scars
Some deep, indented acne scars may be better suited to a surgical approach. A dermatologist can assess whether surgery is appropriate. Two options are subcision, which releases the tissue pulling the scar down, and scar excision, which removes an individual scar and closes the area with stitches. Both are minor surgical procedures performed with the area numbed.
*If surgery is the right option for your scars, Dr. Godley can refer you to a surgeon.
IPL Acne Treatment
But what if your concern isn’t indented or raised scars? IPL (intense pulsed light) targets the lingering redness or brown marks acne can leave behind. During treatment, you may feel a brief pinch and some warmth. A series of sessions, spaced several weeks apart, is usually recommended.
*Only available in Abbotsford
Are these acne treatments appropriate for teens?
Acne can happen at any age, but it’s especially common among teens. Dr. Godley sees patients under 18 with a parent or guardian’s consent. He generally considers Morpheus8, PRF, Plexr and Chemical peels for patients aged 16 and older.
Since teens are still growing and their skin can keep changing, their response to treatment may be less predictable. Teenagers can also have a lower pain tolerance. Numbing cream helps, but treatment can still be uncomfortable.
A consultation lets Dr. Godley examine the teen’s skin and scars before recommending treatment.
Book an Acne Scar Consultation with Dr. Godley
Breakouts can clear, but scars can remain long after acne is gone. Acne scars vary in type and depth, so the right treatment depends on your skin and what you’d like to improve. At a consultation, Dr. Godley can assess your scars and explain what results and recovery to expect with Morpheus8, PRF or Plexr Plus. Godley Clinic offers consultations in Vancouver and Abbotsford, B.C.
