Acne! Scars!! For many of us, they may sound and look bothersome.
Acne outbreaks are aggravating enough, but the scars left behind by them are even frustrating. But acne scars can be treated, which is excellent news.
Acne can be seen coming up fairly frequently on the face, chest, and back. Between the ages of 12 and 30, around 80% of people will get acne, with one out of every five developing scarring. Scar management needs the use of either over-the-counter drugs or dermatologist-assisted treatments.
What are the causes of acne?
When bacteria, oil, and dead skin clog and inflame pores, oil, and sweat rise to the surface through the microscopic holes in your skin leading to an acne lesion. Every hour 40,000 dead cells are shed from your skin, but they might plug a pore. Tiny clogged pores can emerge as whiteheads or blackheads. Inflammation ensues resulting in different forms of acne.
What are the different forms of acne?
Acne comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Whiteheads and blackheads are common, and they usually cure without a hitch. There are also those that can cause scarring.
- Papules: Small pink to red pimples that sting when touched.
- Pustules: They are lesions that are filled with pus. They have a crimson base and a white or yellow top.
- Nodules: These are solid lesions. They’re bigger than papules and pustules, and since they extend deeper into the skin, they might be more painful.
- Cysts: Cysts are formed deep within the skin. They’re uncomfortable, filled with pus, and will almost certainly scar.
How does acne results in scars?
Simply put, inflammation of acne blemishes leads to acne scars. The acne pore expands, and the pore wall begins to break down. Blemishes can sometimes discharge their contents into the surrounding tissue, causing severe scarring. The skin responds by generating new collagen strands to mend the scar.
Acne scars develop when tissue is lost, resulting in a depression in the skin’s surface, or a scar develops that is raised on the skin’s surface. In fact, this form of acne scar indicates that your skin is doing its job – but possibly a little too effectively. Your skin produces collagen which is the repair tissue to aid in the healing of the lesion, but too much collagen causes elevated scars.
How acne scars can be treated?
Though it is seen, in some cases, home remedies work for simple acne formations, they don’t seem to be effective long term. Consulting a skincare specialist or a dermatologist can help with eradicating acne scars.
Let’s look at some of the popular treatments.
Dermabrasion
It is one of the most popular and successful scar treatments. Healthcare practitioners utilize a wire brush or a wheel to extensively exfoliate the top layer of the skin, which is similar to what you do with microdermabrasion kits.
Scars that are near to the surface, such as superficial boxcar or rolling scars, are best treated with this product. Deeper scars, on the other hand, may fade in appearance.
Chemical peels
Don’t think these are the face masks you use on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Chemical peel is a powerful acid that removes the top layer of skin in order to expose and minimize underlying scars.
Some chemical peels are gentle enough to employ at home, but your skin expert might recommend a harsher solution that will provide more dramatic effects.
Chemical peels come in a variety of forms, so it’s crucial to discuss which one is good for you with your skin specialist.
It is suited for acne scars of all varieties and recommended for deeper scars.
Laser resurfacing
Laser resurfacing, like chemical peels and dermabrasion, removes the top layer of the skin. This therapy usually takes less time to recover than other resurfacing procedures.
It is ineffective on darker skin tones and isn’t recommended for those who still have outbreaks.
It works better with lighter skin tones.
Microneedling
On the surface of the scars, a tiny, portable, hand-held needle-studded roller is used. The needles pierce the numbed skin, and collagen is produced while the skin heals.
Statistics suggest that micro-needling help reduce the depth of acne scars, although results can take up to 9 months. It’s a safe procedure that works for all skin tones.
Final Word
You may need to consult a dermatologist for treatment choices and management tactics. Specialists could figure out what kind of acne scars you have and suggest the best therapies for you depending on your preferences and the location of your scars. Earlier the better because acne scarring becomes more severe if therapy is delayed. A certified and trained therapist or specialist will collaborate with you to find the best options for you.
