Does PRP Work for Acne Scars in London
Acne scars can persist long after breakouts clear, affecting confidence and skin texture. PRP offers a natural approach to scar reduction that works with your body's regenerative capabilities rather than relying solely on ablative procedures.
Understanding Different Acne Scar Types
PRP effectiveness varies depending on scar type. Atrophic scars, which appear as depressions in the skin, respond particularly well. This category includes ice pick scars, boxcar scars, and rolling scars.
Ice pick scars are narrow, deep indentations that extend into the dermis. Boxcar scars feature wider depressions with defined edges. Rolling scars create wave-like undulations across the skin surface.
Hypertrophic and keloid scars, which are raised above the skin surface, require different treatment approaches and may not respond as favourably to PRP alone.
How PRP Improves Acne Scars
The growth factors in PRP stimulate fibroblast activity, encouraging new collagen production. This gradual collagen remodelling fills depressed scars from within, improving texture and reducing depth.
PRP also promotes angiogenesis, creating new blood vessels that improve nutrient delivery to scarred tissue. Enhanced circulation supports ongoing tissue repair and cellular renewal.
The treatment reduces inflammation and regulates melanin production, helping to fade post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that often accompanies acne scarring.
Combining PRP with Microneedling
Whilst PRP injections alone provide benefits, combining PRP with microneedling delivers superior results for acne scars. This approach is often called the "vampire facial" or microneedling with PRP.
Microneedling creates thousands of microchannels in the skin, triggering the wound healing cascade whilst allowing deeper PRP penetration. The combination amplifies collagen induction beyond what either treatment achieves independently.
Studies show 50-70% improvement in scar appearance after a series of combined treatments, compared to 25-40% with microneedling alone.
Treatment Protocol for Acne Scars
Most patients require 3-6 treatment sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart for optimal results. Deeper, more established scars typically need more sessions than recent scarring.
Each session begins with numbing cream application for comfort. After blood draw and PRP preparation, we either inject PRP directly into individual scars or apply it topically during microneedling.
Downtime is minimal. Expect redness and mild swelling for 24-48 hours, similar to a moderate sunburn. Makeup can typically be applied after 24 hours.
Realistic Expectations and Results Timeline
PRP improves acne scars gradually through natural collagen remodelling. Initial changes become visible at 4-6 weeks, with continued improvement over 3-6 months as new collagen matures.
Complete scar elimination is unrealistic. Most patients see 40-70% improvement in scar depth and texture, with results varying based on scar type, severity, and skin characteristics.
Deeper ice pick scars may require additional treatments like subcision or TCA CROSS alongside PRP for optimal results. Our practitioners assess your specific scarring to recommend the most effective combination approach.
Comparing PRP to Other Acne Scar Treatments
Unlike ablative lasers that remove skin layers, PRP works through regeneration without thermal damage. This means less downtime and lower risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in darker skin types.
Chemical peels address superficial texture but cannot fill deeper atrophic scars the way PRP's collagen stimulation can. PRP offers more substantial structural improvement for depressed scarring.
Dermal fillers provide immediate but temporary results, whilst PRP builds lasting improvement through your body's natural repair processes.
Struggling with acne scarring that affects your confidence? Discover whether PRP treatment could help smooth your skin texture.
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