Acne Scar Vitalizer: The Healing Process
Procedure Time
2-3 hours
Recovery Time
1-2 weeks
Please Note
If a patient is currently taking Accutane® (Isotretinoin), we are unable to provide treatment until one of the following conditions is met:
- The patient has been off the medication for at least one year, or
- The patient provides a letter from their dermatologist confirming it is safe to proceed with treatment before the one year period is complete.
Acne Scar Vitalizer: The Healing Process
The Acne Scar Vitalizer is a revolutionary treatment created by Dr. Philip Young to heal deep acne scarring. It gives your skin a fresh start and creates a smoother complexion where the deep scars once were.
The most important part of any cosmetic treatment is usually the healing process. This delicate time should be treated with care, and every instruction should be performed, as best as you can, exactly as they are given. We have put together a list of specific instructions and timelines so you can know what to expect and prepare for your healing process.
Cleaning Care
Keeping your face clean and clear of crusting, blood, and debris is the most important aspect of the healing process. If you allow your face to scab, ooze, bleed, or gather debris, this can disrupt the entire process and cause damage to your skin. As long as you follow the instructions below, your healing process will be fine.
- Use a mixture of 1 tsp vinegar and 1 quart of distilled water for cleaning.
- Clean as frequently as possible – at least every hour for the first few days and every 4 hours during the night.
- Apply vaseline to the raw areas at all times for the first 10 days or until Dr. Young clears you to stop.
- Do not allow any crusting, oozing, or bleeding to collect on the raw areas.
- Use cold compressions on the treated areas, but avoid direct contact with the skin.
- Use a clean cloth between the cold compression and the skin.
- Ice your treated areas for 15 minutes every hour.
Medication
Taking medication after your Acne Scar Vitalizer should be followed exactly as Dr. Young gives them. Any pain medication should be limited and taken with care, as taking too much can be extremely dangerous. Follow the instructions below for all medication.
- Follow instructions given by Dr. Young on prescribed medications.
- Never take Tylenol and pain medication at the same time.
- Drink plenty of water and fluids to avoid constipation. You can also take Metamucil or Colace to help.
- Avoid all blood thinners like alcohol, aspirin, anti-inflammatories, high doses of vitamin E, herbal medications, and smoking 2 weeks before and after your procedure.
Activity
You’re going to want to take it easy for the first 2 weeks after your Acne Scar Vitalizer. The instructions below will help your healing process go as smoothly as possible.
- Avoid all strenuous activity, straining, bending over, or lifting anything heavier than 5 lbs for 2 weeks after your treatment.
- Sleep with your head in an elevated position (try using 2-3 pillows), and avoid sleeping on your side to reduce swelling and prevent asymmetrical healing.
- Avoid the sun at all costs during healing, and be sure to protect your skin with SPF once the healing process is complete. (Any burning can cause hyperpigmentation.) But ask your Dr. before putting on sunscreen. The key is to not get sunburnt.
- Wait to shower until 72 hours after your treatment. However, shower only in lukewarm water—not hot or warm water.
Pro Tip: Light walks can help decrease swelling and bruising. It also prevents dangerous clots in the leg after surgery.
Timeline
Here is a timeline of when to expect to be back to your normal activity and when the healing process will be complete:
- At Two Weeks: Healing will be about 20% complete.
- After 6 Weeks: Healing will be about 60% complete.
- After 6 Months: Healing will be about 80-90% complete.
You should base your activity level on the amount of healing that’s taking place and always listen to your body and how you feel.
Fat Transfer Care
If your Acne Scar Vitalizer treatment included fat transfer for filling in depressed scars, here are some instructions to help you heal this process:
- Wear the provided surgical wrap at all times for two weeks. After two weeks, you will wear it only at night for two months.
- When you wear the wrap, ensure the wrap is tight for two hours and then loose for one hour. At night, wrap it loosely. Wrapping it too tightly can damage the skin and lead to necrosis and other complications.
- Avoid massaging the treated fat transfer areas.
- Limit your facial movements as much as possible. This will help fat survive.
- Clean the incision areas under the wrap and apply Vaseline on top after cleaning.
- The sutures will be removed in 6-7 days.
Food & Liquids
It’s essential to stay hydrated and eat carefully throughout your healing process. Here are some great instructions to help you through this process:
- Avoid both hot and spicy foods or liquids for the first two weeks.
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
- Monitor your urine color to ensure it’s never dark and stays a light yellow or clear color.
- Be sure to eat before every time you take pain medication.
- However, do not overeat, as this can bring on nausea, especially early on.
General Skincare Instructions & Tips
Here are some other general instructions and tips that can ease the healing process.
- Always use the vinegar and water mixture to clean the treated areas. (1 teaspoon of vinegar and 1 quart of water.)
- Clean your face every hour and apply Vaseline after you clean.
- Do not allow any crusting, debris, or oozing to build up on the skin. This can lead to scarring and the risk of infection.
- The more you clean your skin, the better the results will be.
- The skin may turn dark after 1-2 weeks. This is normal and will fade over time.
- The goal is to keep the skin pink and raw, allowing the treated areas to heal faster and filling in the scarred sites.
- Continue the cleaning and Vaseline process until the crusting, bleeding, and oozing stops.
- After the initial healing, for depressed scars, you can use silicone gel/tape at night and leave it on for 12 hours. Ask your doctor before using the silicone gel/tape.
- Once you begin the silicone gel/tape, you can stop using Vaseline or just use it on the raw areas.
- Use the silicone gel/tape for the next 6-12 months.
- If your skin tolerates it, use the silicone gel/tape 24/7 or until the depressed scars are raised to about 0.5mm under the surrounding skin.
- Once the skin has healed and the raw areas are gone, you can use a gentle cleanser and lotion, which usually occurs 5-10 days later. (We recommend our brand or the OTC Cetaphil Brand).
- You can wear mineral sunscreen and mineral makeup as long as there are no more open or raw areas.
- We offer a Brightening Trio that contains retinol serum, Brightening Pads, and an at-home chemical peel that can help with darkness. Please contact Dr. Young to see when and if you can use this.
- During the first two weeks, send Dr. Young a closeup picture of your skin without Vaseline and with the flash every 2-3 days or if you have questions.
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