Tough times are tough, especially when they leave a scar. A scar means the hurt is over and the wound has healed. Same holds good for acne and acne scars. They can be frustrating and embarrassing needless to mention, vey difficult to camoflague. Read on to understand what are acne scars, what causes them and how do we treat them.
What are acne scars?
Acne scars or pimple pits, are blemishes with a concave shape that can look like holes or indentations in the skin. They occur when the acne / pimple penetrates the skin deeply and damages the tissues beneath it.
Types of acne scars?
Acne scars could be atrophic (depressed indentations) or hypertrophic (elevated and raised).
A. Atrophic or depressed scars
Atrophic scars are most common on the face. They’re formed when not enough collagen is made while the wound is healing. Hence the wound area is depressed.
There are three types of atrophic scars:
1. Ice pick scar:
is V-shaped with a wide shaft and narrow, pointed base.
most common on forehead and upper cheeks, where your skin is thinner.
one of the toughest to heal.
2. Rolling scar:
has sloping edges that makes the skin look uneven and wavy.
most common on the lower cheeks and jaw, where your skin is thicker.
3. Boxcar:
box shaped scars with a parallel walls and a straight base.
easiest to smoothen out.
most common on the lower cheeks and jaw.
B. Hypertrophic or keloid scars:
These are raised scars commonly found on the chest, back and shoulders and jaw line and can be painful. They’re caused when fibrous tissues, the collagen, in the region of the skin overgrow.
How do I avoid acne scars?
Avoid acne attacks as they are the starting point of acne scars. Inculcate the following habits to keep acne and the subsequent scarring at bay.
- Wash your face with an antibacterial anti acne face wash, twice or thrice a day.
- Regular deep pore treatments clear up clogged pores.
- Don't touch your face often.
- Avoid popping / bursting an existing acne / pimple.
How can you get rid of acne scars?
Acne scars may heal completely or partially, depending on the type and depth of the pits. Treatments could be:
- topical (product application)
- clinical treatments or
- small surgical procedures.
I recommend minimally invasive clinical treatments. Would not want my patients to take any chance with self medication methods on acne scars that have already scarred their confidence, way too badly. Clinical treatments typically resort to procedures that help in exfoliation followed by resurfacing with new skin layer, collagen induction & regeneration or grafting through minor surgical procedures. Your doctor may use more than one type of treatment, depending on your needs.
The procedure options are microneedling , fillers, chemical peels, dermabrasion, microdermabrasion, laser resurfacing, steroid injections, grafting , cryosurgery, etc.
In my personal view, I've got the best of results with collagen induction treatments. The very cause of pits or scars is insufficient collagen produced at the time of wound healing. Inducing collagen in the scar is therefore , most effective.
Last but not the least, don't let acne scars get the better out of you. You are never too early or late to get rid of what you don't like. Like everything in life, this too, is a problem with a solution!
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