For some, the battle against acne and blemishes end once their acne is treated. While others are constantly reminded of the blemishes that were once on their skin, by unwanted scarring, that just doesn’t seem to go away!
The worst part about acne scars, is that people tend to blame you (the acne patient) for the scars on your face, as if it went untreated, or you spent hours on end purposely picking at your face. The truth of the matter is, though untreated acne, and popping, squeezing, or picking your acne can lead to scarring (which you can read more about here), there is so much more to it. If you’re anything like the majority of people that suffer from acne (or chronic acne), your scarring most likely resulted from the type of acne you have, and the way in which your skin reacts to it.
Below we will go over the most common reasons for moderate to severe acne scarring (such as ice pick scars and boxcar scars), the various treatment options, and how you can prevent scarring in the future!
What Causes Acne Scarring?
Despite people constantly reminding you to “take care of your skin”, and “to not pick at your face” (which are true by the way), I’m sure that by now in your acne scar journey you are aware that although that might be true, there are far more other reasons as to why you may be developing acne scars. The three main reasons being:
1. The type of acne you have, plays a huge role when it comes to your likelihood of developing acne scars. Inflammatory based acne such as cystic acne that penetrates deep within the skin, are more likely to lead to acne scars as they damage the skin and tissue beneath it.
2. Genetics may also play a role in your likelihood of developing acne scars. Therefore, if severe acne and acne scarring runs in your family, it’s best to seek professional help while you’re ahead.
3. Collagen Production plays the most crucial role to identify whether someone is prone to acne scarring, as scars are built up of an accumulation of collagen cells. If your body tends to over or underproduce collagen as it attempts to heal your skin after a breakout, you will likely be left with scarring.
What are the various treatment options available to treat acne scars?
Now that we covered the ins and outs of acne scars and why they form, it’s time to answer the BIG question… Are acne scars permanent?
Hint, hint. You’ll be happy-so keep reading!
The fact of the matter is, although acne scars can prevent you from feeling and looking like yourself, there are so many treatment options available to limit their appearance. Here is our skin care physician, Dr. Shehla Ebrahim’s, most popular treatments she uses to treat her acne scar patients:
1. Dermal fillers are commonly known to plump up wrinkled skin, or for other medical aesthetic purposes such as creating a bigger pout, or a more prominent chin. But did you know that dermal fillers can also help treat acne scars?
Dermal fillers are a great treatment for acne scars, especially when it comes to depressed rolling scars (scars that lead to an uneven skin surface). Dermal fillers, made from a biocompatible substance, remain intact below the skin which lifts and smooths scars that are depressed on the surface of the skin.
2. Subcision Treatment is a minor procedure for removing subcutaneous/depressed scars from the skin and smoothing its texture. It does so by carefully detaching the fibrous strands that restrain the scar tissues from beneath the epidermis layer of the skin, while stimulating more collagen production. With use of a hypodermic tri-bevel needle to minimally pierce the skin and scar tissues within the underlying skin layers, cell reproduction is stimulated!
3. Punch Excisions uses a specialized biopsy tool to remove small, depressed ice pick scars or boxcar scars (scars that resemble little holes or craters in the face) caused by acne.
This procedure is a sophisticated procedure that involves scar mapping, and removing the scarred skin from its root to promote healthy skin-cell regrowth. Although many see great results from punch excision treatments themselves, it is often combined with other scar reduction treatments such as punch grafting, chemical peels and laser resurfacing for achieving more optimal results for ice pick cars and boxcar scars.
4. Trichloroacetic (TCA) Peels is a type of chemical peel used to treat a variety of skin conditions such as hyperpigmentation, signs of aging (fine lines and wrinkles), and scarring. To do so, TCA peels (also known as trichloroacetic acid) work to remove dead skin cells, while promoting new skin cell growth to the treated area.
5. PLEXR PLUS Plasma Technology is a new non-invasive technology, that offers concentrated energy (in the form of ionic gasses), to treat unwanted skin cells such as acne scars, by turning them into carbon crust. The treated skin layers will renew naturally through your skin’s natural healing process.
PLEXR PLUS is a handheld device that offers skin care physicians the ability to be extremely precise while treating unwanted skin cells. To read more about the ins and outs of PLEXR PLUS, click here.
Takeaways
The bottom line is, although acne scars can put a damper on your self-confidence, there are so many options available to improve the health of your skin. If you are currently suffering from acne, and would like to prevent future scarring, I urge you to speak to your skin care physician as soon as possible to treat your acne.
If your acne days are over, but you are finding your scars bothersome, it isn’t too late! There are many acne scar treatments available to you, to promote smoother and healthier looking skin.
If you are looking for an acne specialist to treat your acne or to rejuvenate your scarring skin, please feel free to book a consultation with our virtual physician and acne specialist, Dr. Shehla Ebrahim.