What are acne scars?
The most frustrating problem for people with acne is not only dealing with the black and red marks but also having acne scars. Acne scars are a troublesome issue that make the skin uneven and bumpy. They can occur in individuals who have had severe acne and received improper treatment or due to other contributing factors. In this article, I will provide insights into acne scars to help everyone understand them better and learn how to properly care for and treat this issue for the best results.
Acne scars are the marks left behind after acne has healed. They are characterized by deep, indented pits on the skin’s surface, typically in areas where acne was prevalent before. Underneath the skin layer, there is fibrous tissue that pulls the skin down, resulting in an uneven and rough appearance.
Acne scars are the result of imperfect skin healing after acne inflammation or cystic acne. This can occur due to insufficient collagen under the skin’s surface. When inflammation occurs, it damages the skin tissue in that area, and the skin cannot properly regenerate new tissue in the affected area, leading to scar formation or pitted scars.
Additionally, improper acne treatment methods can also contribute to the formation of acne scars. This includes aggressive squeezing or popping of pimples, careless facial cleansing, and the use of unsuitable acne treatment products with excessive chemical ingredients. These actions can cause skin irritation and further damage the tissue under the skin.
Acne scars can be classified into three types based on their severity and ease of treatment:
– Icepick Scar
These scars are deep and narrow, resembling an ice pick puncture. They are typically less than 2 millimeters wide and have a narrow opening resembling a pore. Icepick scars are the most severe type of acne scar and may require various treatment methods over a long period of time. These scars are caused by inflammation that penetrates deep into the dermis layer, leading to the destruction of deep skin tissue and hair follicles.
– Box Scar
Box scars resemble scars caused by smallpox. They are wide and have a width of approximately 3-4 millimeters. The base and mouth of the scar are about the same width, forming a rectangular or square shape. Box scars have well-defined edges, and the edges are clearly visible. These scars are of moderate severity and are easier to treat than icepick scars. They are caused by deep inflammation of the skin resulting from moderate to severe acne, smallpox, or intense squeezing and picking of acne.
– Rolling Scar
Rolling scars are shallow acne scars that resemble the surface of a rolling hill. They are not deeply indented and lack clear edges. Rolling scars normally have a width of approximately 4-5 millimeters. These scars often occur around the cheeks, making them the easiest type of acne scar to treat and heal. Rolling scars result from the manipulation of acne, such as picking or squeezing, which leads to increased inflammation compared to the initial acne lesion. They can also develop into hypertrophic scars as well.
Treatment for acne scars can be done in various ways, including:
– Medication: This involves using skincare products containing retinoids, which have special properties to help exfoliate old skin cells and stimulate the production of new skin cells. This method can effectively treat acne and shallow acne scars.
– Subcision: This involves using small needles inserted under the skin and employing medical techniques to pick away fibrous bands attached to the underlying tissue in the area of acne scars. This encourages collagen production and facilitates skin repair in the treated area. Subcision can be used to treat box scars and rolling scars, and multiple sessions may be required for optimal results.
– Treating acne scars with Fractional laser is an effective method. The laser delivers energy deep into the area of the acne scars, stimulating collagen production and improving skin conditions. This helps reduce the depth of the scars, making the skin smoother and more even. At Smooth Clinic, Picolo laser and SylfirmX Plus machines are used, each employing different technologies to treat acne scars. Both machines can be used together to treat acne scars effectively.
– Another method is to inject filler into the acne scars. This provides immediate results, as hyaluronic acid is injected into the scarred areas, filling them up and making the skin appear plumper, smoother, and more hydrated.
– Treating acne scars with Collagen Biostimulator is a new and increasingly popular method nowadays. This involves injecting substances that stimulate collagen production under the skin, such as PLLA (Poly L Lactic Acid) or PDLLA (Poly D Lactic Acid). These substances have properties that naturally stimulate the body’s cells to produce more collagen, resulting in more even skin in areas with acne scars. It also improves skin elasticity and tightens the skin. This treatment can also be combined with subcision and laser therapy.
For the best results in treating acne scars, a combination therapy of the above methods may be necessary, depending on the suitability for each individual’s skin condition and the severity of the acne scars, as assessed by a doctor.
The problem of acne scars is the result of inflammation, or cystic acne, and it can be treated in various ways. However, treatment may take a long time depending on the depth of the acne scars, according to the type and characteristics of each type of acne scar. Therefore, it is advisable to consult with a specialized doctor to plan the best and most suitable treatment of acne scars for each individual patient.
