Introduction
Acne scars are marks or depressions that appear after breakouts subside. Acne occurs when a build-up of excessive sebum, dead cells and bacteria clog the skin pores and cause inflammation. Mild acne may lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or pimple marks. However, deeper lesions cause collagen damage that adversely affects the texture of the skin and results in permanent acne scars.
Since pimples affect 90% of the teenagers, acne scar is a common skin concern that requires medical attention. However, to minimise your acne scars, it is essential first to manage your pimples effectively. Let us find out the primary causes of acne scars before exploring its types and treatments.
What Causes Acne Scars?
Any grade or severity of acne can result in scars based on the healing response of the skin. However, you may be at a higher risk of developing acne scars if:
- You are having severe breakouts that comprise of cysts and nodules.
- You delayed the treatment response to a bout of inflammatory acne.
- You picked, popped or squeezed the acne.
- You have a family history of acne and acne scars.
If you can relate to any of the above scenarios, you are likely to have acne scars. Go ahead and learn more about the type of acne scar you may be having as that will determine the specialised treatment you may require to reduce it.
Types Of Acne Scars
Two types of acne scars atrophic (depressed) or hypertrophic (elevated) occur based on the collagen levels of the skin while healing after a breakout. Only 10% of acne scars are hypertrophic, also called keloids.
Expert dermatologists further classify atrophic scars into the following subtypes:
- Ice pick scars refer to narrow and vertical acne scars that have sharp margins and a diameter of less than 2mm.
- Rolling scars are skin pits that have a diameter of up to 5mm, an undulating appearance and round margins.
- Boxcar scars are more extensive than rolling scars with defined margins and a width ranging from 1.5mm to 4mm.
The success of scar revision treatment depends on the type and severity of the scar.
Pathophysiology Of Acne Scars
Scars form when the body tries to heal itself after an injury or trauma to the skin. It may be sequelae to acne, burns, wounds, chickenpox, vaccinations and surgeries. Acne scars may be atrophic or deep-pitted due to collagen loss during the healing process. Hypertrophic scars are raised, thick and lumpy in appearance and occur due to excessive collagen production after acne subsides.
Common Signs & Symptoms
Here are the signs and symptoms of acne scars that may commonly appear on your face, chest and back if you are prone to having pimples:
- Deep pits on the skin.
- Raised lesions on the skin.
- Dark pigmentary marks that occur after acne subsides.
Diagnosis Of Acne Scars
Untreated acne may become severe, cause permanent collagen damage and leave behind visible scars on the skin. A dermatologist can quickly diagnose scarring due to acne during a physical examination. He/she can identify the grade of acne scars, whether it is mild, moderate or severe and recommend a suitable treatment plan.
Prevention and Management Of Acne Scars
Here are some simple tips to prevent acne scars that you can follow if you have pimple-prone skin:
- Seek immediate medical treatment if you are having acne breakouts.
- Resist the temptation to squeeze or pop the pimple.
- Do not attempt to pick at scabs.
- Avoid experimenting with home-remedies as they may aggravate your skin inflammation.
It is time to seek professional solutions if the above tips are not working for you, and you have acne scars.
Self-Care
Unfortunately, the safety and efficacy of home remedies, OTC products and other self-care methods remain medically unproven till date. It is best to avoid using them to rule out the risk of triggering acne, aggravating your scars and suffering from severe side-effects.
Professional Treatment Options For Acne Scars
Dermatologists at Oliva specialise in providing customised medico-aesthetic solutions for reducing all types and grades of acne scars. They may recommend the following procedures as a standalone or combination treatment based on your skin and scar type, the severity of the condition and affected area to achieve optimal results:
- Pixel Laser Skin Resurfacing: Our leading dermatologists use revolutionary USFDA-approved laser technology to stimulate collagen production in the scarred tissue.
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- Micro-needling Radiofrequency: This advanced acne scar treatment comes with skin tightening benefits too! It involves the use of radiofrequency technology to treat acne scars and improve skin texture.
- Chemical Peels: Our experienced medical team may apply plant-based extracts to exfoliate the damaged layers of the skin. TCA Cross peel is a specialised treatment for minimising ice pick scars.
- Subcision: This is a minimally invasive treatment performed by our expert doctors to reduce the depth of the acne scars effectively.
- Intralesional Injections: Our professional medical team may use specialised injections to reduce the size of raised acne scars visibly.
- Laser Toning: This modality involves the use of advanced laser technology to reduce flat, red and pigmented acne scars. It helps correct post-acne skin discolouration.
Pre & Post-Care Guidelines Related To Acne Scar Treatments:
Dermatologists at Oliva have a holistic approach and provide adequate pre and post-care guidance to achieve the best results with minimal downtime and side-effects.
FAQ's
Yes, advanced acne scar removal treatment at Oliva can enhance the healing response of the skin to reduce the depth of the scars and improve the skin texture visibly.
No, most of the acne scars may not fade away naturally and require procedural treatments performed by medical experts.
Yes, your dermatologist may recommend topical applicants containing Vitamin A combined with procedural treatments to reduce the acne scars effectively.
All grades of acne may cause some form of permanent scars.
Yes, you can expect up to 90% reduction in the visibility of scars by opting for acne scar revision treatment at Oliva! However, the results may vary based on the severity of the condition and the time-interval between scarring and treatment.
