Anyone who has fought against acne knows the frustration pimples bring. For some, no matter how much they wash their face, it seems that they can’t make the bumps go away.
But worse than those glaring red pimples are the spots they leave behind. Luckily, today there are good acne and scar treatments, there’s no need to let acne scars cause any more frustration.
In this article Dr Firdous who is very well known for acne and scar treatment in Hyderabad explains everything you need to know about treating acne scars.
Acne Marks vs. Acne Scars
Most pimples leave behind evidence. We hope that their marks are temporary. If your skin is smooth in dark/red areas, you have an acne mark. Those are not spots — they are just for the time being discolored. It usually takes 3-6 months for the scars to vanish.
However, if you have a scar, you’re dealing with lasting skin damage that requires treatment to fade. An acne scar alters the texture of the skin. If acne has left dents, the harm has occurred at a deeper level in the skin. This “cobblestoning” effect suggests that scarring needs more than a surface-level treatment.
“Prevention is the most effective treatment for smooth skin. If you have acne, you should take preventative measures to avoid scarring. Work with your acne and scar treatment specialist to find the best treatment option for you, treat new acne as soon as possible. You should not jump on to any cosmetic products that you see on advertisements. It might not be suitable for your skin. Always find the best solution from a specialist only” – says Dr Firdous.
Acne Scars: What Causes Them?
When the skin is damaged, scars form. When acne erupts, different types of blood cells and collagen rush to the site of the injury in the hopes of repairing the skin. They can’t always restore normalcy to the skin, mainly when extreme acne doesn’t allow the skin to heal before breaking out again.
Scars from acne come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
According to Dr. Firdous, a skin specialist in Hyderabad, acne scars can be atrophic (caused by tissue loss) or hypertrophic (induced by tissue growth) (caused by excess tissue). Ice pick scars, rolling scars, boxcar scars are the three types of scars.
A: Ice Pick Scars
A severe acne lesion can leave you with ice-pick scars. They usually develop due to an infection caused by cysts that have penetrated deep into the skin.
Boxcar and rolling scars are narrower than these scars. They are, however, deeper and more visible to the naked eye. These scars may not respond to home therapies.
B: Boxcar Scars
Ice pick scars are narrower than boxcar scars. They resemble round craters with sharp edges, causing the skin to appear pitted and uneven. They can be small or large.
They develop as a result of inflammatory breakouts that eat away at the collagen. It causes tissue loss, which results in skin depressions.
C: Rolling Scars
Rolling scars are wide scars with rounded edges, as the name implies. They give the appearance of uneven and irregular skin.
Fibrous bands of tissue develop between the skin and the subcutaneous tissue below, causing them. The bands pull on the epidermis, causing the skin to roll.
D: Hypertrophic Scars
These spots appear as raised. They are due to excess tissue in the area where the lesion had developed.
Various methods of acne scar treatment
Acne and scar treatment is available to minimize acne scarring, depending on your skin type and the degree of your scars.
A: Peeling using chemicals
This could be a good option for you if you have shallow scars.
Chemical peels help to minimize scars and discoloration. They smooth the skin and prevent breakouts. These peels rejuvenate the skin by scraping the top layer skin.
For those with deep scars, chemical peels are generally ineffective. You need to test a few different peels before deciding which one is best for you.
B: Micro-needling
Scars, wrinkles, stretch marks, and discoloration can all be reduced by micro-needling. It also aids in skin regeneration and texture enhancement. Micro-needles are inserted around scars as part of the medical procedure. The body is stimulated to manufacture more collagen as a result of this. Acne scars can also be treated at a low cost by rolling. Redness, discomfort, and inflammation can occur as a result of micro-needling or rolling.
C: The use of injections
Corticosteroid injections can be used to treat hypertrophic scars or keloids. The procedure is repeated every few weeks.
D: Fillers for the Skin
Botox and dermal fillers are frequently confused. On the other hand, the former smoothes the skin by replacing scars or wrinkles rather than “freezing” muscles. Dermal fillers usually are only used for a few months, lasting anywhere from 6 to 18 months.
Atrophic scars respond best to these fillers. Other commercial fillers that can be used include polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), hyaluronic acid (HA), and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA). (8)
E: Laser Treatment
Dermatologists utilize this as one of the most common and favored procedures for removing acne spots. By removing the upper layer of the skin, laser therapy helps to decrease spots. This method employs focused light treatment and does not require the use of any drugs. Those with sensitive skin may not be able to use it.
F: Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is the sanding of the outer layers of the skin with a fast revolving instrument. Acne scars, wrinkles, uneven skin, and dark spots are all treated with it. The skin that grows back is smooth and younger-looking.
This operation can be done on its own or in conjunction with other aesthetic treatments. It can cause transient redness that can linger for several weeks.
G: Technique Using Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
This methodology is based on the idea that the body can cure itself. A considerable number of platelets are used in the platelet-rich plasma method (PRP). To activate growth factors in the body, these are condensed into a small volume of plasma. It mends tissues that have been broken. PRP is a relatively new treatment option in dermatology.
According to research, rolling scars, instead of ice pick and boxcar scars, responded better to PRP.
Dr Firdous says these kinds of treatments are available in most of the cities like Hyderabad & even in most of the smaller cities in India nowadays. So, always prefer specialized treatments and medicines rather than self-treatment with the advertised cosmetic products.
Why Is Dermatological Treatment for Acne Scars Recommended?
You’ll need a surgical procedure to observe improvement if you have genuine scars that have damaged the texture of your skin. Some people use chemical peels, but they aren’t very successful. Others try dermabrasion, which involves rubbing your skin with a sanding wheel, but there’s a danger of permanent scarring. A laser produces far superior results while posing far fewer risks.
