Acne scars can seem like a punishment because you first had to deal with the acne before it left a scar.
And before you read the article, you should know that it is from reliable sources that you will find at the end of the article.
What are the acne scars?
Acne has a prevalence of over 90% among adolescents and persists into adulthood in approximately 12%–14% of cases with psychological and social implications of high gravity.
Inflammatory acne lesions can result in permanent scars, the severity of which may depend on delays in treating acne patients.
All body areas with high concentrations of pilosebaceous glands are involved, but in particular the face, back and chest.
Signs and symptoms of acne scars
My dears, what you see on your skin varies with the types of acne scars you have.
Some people are more likely to see the scars when their acne clears up. The risk increases when a person does the following:
1. If you suffer from acne (puffy, red, painful)
These cysts and nodules often include acne. This type of acne tends to penetrate deeply into the skin resulting in skin damage.
2. Because of the delay or failure to treat acne
The longer a person has acne, the greater the risk of scarring.
3. Because of picking or squeezing acne
This increases inflammation, which increases the risk of scarring.
4. Because he had a blood relative who got acne scars
Genes play a big role.
Although we know what increases a person's risk of developing acne scars, it is unpredictable who will develop acne scars.
Even people with all of the risk factors may not leave scars. We must know the "reasons".
What are the causes of acne scars?
When acne penetrates the skin deeply, it damages the skin and the tissues underneath. When acne clears up, the body tries to repair this damage.
During the healing process, the body produces collagen, a substance that supports the skin. If the body produces too little or too much collagen, you will see a scar.
The type of scar depends on how much collagen your body produces, for example:
- Deep or depressed acne scars: If the body produces too little collagen, pits deep in the skin form as the skin heals.
- Raised acne scars: Sometimes the body produces too much collagen as it tries to heal the skin and underlying tissues. When this happens, a person develops a prominent acne scar. This type of acne scarring is more common.
Even when we do our best to prevent acne scars, some people do develop scars. There are many treatment options that can significantly reduce deep and raised acne scars.
What is the treatment for acne scars?
Before undergoing acne scar treatment, it is important to clear acne. New acne breakouts can lead to new acne scars.
Active acne are frustrating enough, but the scars that acne can leave behind can be downright diabolical.
The best results often come from using two or more treatments. Treatments that a dermatologist may use include [s]:
1. Acne scar surgery
The goal of dermatologists performing this simple surgery to treat acne scars is to create an unnoticeable scar. For acne scar surgery, a dermatologist may raise the scar.
Bringing the scar closer to the surface of the skin tends to make it less noticeable.
Another type of acne scar surgery involves breaking up the scar tissue. For best results, acne scar surgery is often followed by another treatment.
Best for: Treating some deep, low-lying scars.
2. Surgery for acne scars, followed by injections
After surgery, dermatologists often treat raised scars with injections of corticosteroids, 5-FU, or interferon.
Combining acne scar surgery with these injections remains one of the most effective treatments for raised scars.
Most patients receive injections once a month for a few months.
3. Surgery for acne scars, followed by radiosurgery
Studies show that radiation can prevent raised scars from returning after acne scar surgery.
Because radiation treatments may cause problems years or decades later, some doctors don't recommend radiation therapy.
Best for: Raised scars that need a stronger treatment than injections alone can provide.
4. Peeling treatment
When a patient wants to reduce the appearance of diffuse acne scars, a dermatologist may recommend a resurfacing procedure.
Exfoliation removes layers of the skin, allowing the body to produce new skin cells.
Best for: raised acne scars. Useful for defining scar edges to make scars less visible. Deep scars often require skin surgery and exfoliation.
5. Laser peeling
Lasers and other light treatments can safely and effectively treat raised scars.
Treatment with a pulsed dye laser (PDL) can help reduce itching and pain, reduce discoloration, and flatten a raised scar.
For people with fair skin, intense pulsed light (IPL) may also be a treatment option.
Also, this treatment is not a good option for anyone who still suffers from pimples, and it is not effective on darker skin tones.
Best for: All types of acne scars and fair skin tones.
6. Chemical peeling
A chemical peel is a strong acid used to remove the top layer of skin to reduce deep scars.
Some types of chemical peels are mild enough to use at home, but it's best to talk to your healthcare provider about the type that's right for you.
Best for: All types of acne scars, often used for deep scars.
7. Filling treatment
Dermatologists use fillers to safely and effectively get rid of depressed acne scars.
A dermatologist can fill acne scars with collagen, the patient's own body lotion, or another substance.
Many fillers give us temporary results that last between 6 and 18 months. Some fillers are permanent.
Both temporary and permanent fillings have unique advantages and disadvantages.
If this is a treatment option for you, be sure to ask your dermatologist about the pros and cons of recommended fillers.
Best for: Treating some deep depressed scars.
8. Skin tightening treatment
This is a newer treatment and tends to be more affordable. This treatment is safe for all skin tones.
Dermatologists often use a technique called radiofrequency to tighten the skin.
With the tightening of the skin, the pitted acne scars become less noticeable.
Radiofrequencies require repeat appointments. Most patients return once a month for four months. After radiofrequency treatment, many patients say they feel a burning sensation for about an hour and have pink skin for two to three days.
Radiofrequency treatments require some home care. For at least a week after each treatment, you will need to apply sunscreen every morning and a moisturizing cream at night.
Dermatologists recommend wearing sunscreen.
Best for: depressed acne scars. Sometimes, skin tightening effectively treats deep scars.
8. Collagen revitalization therapy
Also known as "needles" or "micro-needles," this treatment encourages your body to produce more collagen. It is considered a safe treatment for people of all skin colors.
To perform this procedure, a dermatologist moves a sterile, needle-encrusted roller across depressed acne scars. This punctures your skin. As your skin recovers, collagen is produced.
However, most people notice gradual changes by nine months. Many patients require between three and six treatments and return every two to six weeks for treatment.
After each treatment, you may feel some swelling and possibly bruising. These side effects usually go away within four to five days.
Best for: diffuse depressed acne scars. It is not a cure for raised acne scars, which form when the body produces too much collagen.
9. Electrotherapy
This treatment uses electrical sensors to heat tissue, which leads to tissue death. Electrotherapy by itself is not an effective treatment for acne scars.
Best for: Shaping or reducing the edges of box scars.
10. Injection therapy
Your dermatologist may recommend injecting medication directly into the scars and require frequent visits.
This can soften and flatten thick, raised scars.
Many patients receive corticosteroid injections. The chemotherapy drug fluorouracil (5-FU) can also be effective in treating raised acne scars.
Some scars respond better when both 5-FU and corticosteroid injections are used.
Interferon, which is also used to treat cancer, can be effective. Our bodies naturally produce interferon.
If the scar does not respond (or stops responding) after you receive your fourth injection, acne scar surgery may be recommended.
Best for: Painful, raised scars
11. Surgery using topical application to destroy unwanted tissue
This treatment freezes the scar tissue. Tissue freezing leads to its gradual death and fall.
To improve results, dermatologists recommend a series of cryotherapy sessions and corticosteroid injections.
This combination often produces better results.
The main drawback is that cryotherapy can cause permanent light spots to appear on the treated skin.
Best for: It can effectively reduce raised scars in people with fair skin. However, cryosurgery is not recommended for people of color.
12. Treatment with scar creams, gels and silicone pads
These products are often available without a prescription and can be used at home to treat raised scars.
It can help reduce itching and discomfort as well as shrink, flatten, and fade raised scars.
Bandages and silicone pads can be especially helpful. Although no one knows exactly how these things work, one possibility is that silicone helps moisturize the skin.
This may reduce itching and pain as well as make the skin more elastic.
To be effective, these products must be used on an ongoing basis. This can be difficult, especially for scars on the face.
Many people are willing to do this because these treatments have less risk of side effects.
However, with continued use, some people develop itching and irritation. This usually becomes clear when a person stops using the product.
Best for: Reducing scar size and discomfort. It is unlikely that any of them will remove a prominent scar.
13. Microdermabrasion treatment
It is one of the most effective and common treatments for facial scars.
While they use the same general principle as microdermabrasion kits you can make at home, health care providers use a wire brush or wheel to deeply exfoliate the top layer of skin.
Best for: Scars that are close to the surface such as rolling scars, however, deeper scars may also become less noticeable.
14. Alpha hydroxy acids
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are often found in products made for acne because they help remove dead skin and prevent clogged pores.
Even better, it can help make acne scars look less noticeable.
The mild acid exfoliates the outer layer of the skin to help remove discoloration and rough skin.
Best for: For all types of acne scars.
15. Lactic acid
A small 2010 study found that dermatologists performed lactic acid peels once every two weeks for three months to improve skin texture, appearance, pigmentation, and lighter acne scars [s].
There are countless lactic acid scrubs, serums, and ointments, but you can also use diluted apple cider vinegar as a spot treatment or toner thanks to the natural lactic acid.
Best for: For all types of acne scars.
16. Retinoids
Topical retinoids are an acne treatment with scar-smoothing benefits. In addition to accelerating cell renewal and improving the texture of your skin, they can help reduce discoloration and make scars less noticeable according to a recent review [s].
However, it can also make your skin particularly sensitive to the sun, so always wear sunscreen daily when using anything that contains retinoids.
Best for: Deep or depressed scars.
17. Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is in just about every type of acne treatment these days.
Salicylic acid unclogs pores, reduces swelling and redness, and exfoliates the skin when applied topically, and is considered one of the best treatments for acne scars [s].
You can add products containing salicylic acid to your daily routine or your skin care professional may use it for a less frequent chemical peel.
It may take a few weeks to see a difference when using salicylic acid. It can also cause dryness or irritation.
If you have sensitive skin, you may need to use the product less often or try a spot treatment.
Best for: All acne scars.
18. Sunscreen
Yes, really, it is necessary to apply sunscreen daily to the scars, as exposure to the sun can darken the scars or make them more noticeable.
Best for: All acne scars.
Your results depend almost entirely on the knowledge and skill of the person performing the treatment. Dermatologists and skin surgeons perform these procedures frequently, so they have the skills and experience to perform these procedures safely and effectively.
While dermatologists offer a safe and effective treatment for acne scars, there may be a better solution: prevention.
What is the prevention of acne scars?
Acne scarring may seem inevitable. However, there are things you can do to reduce your risk of seeing scars when your acne clears up.
1. Treat acne
Dermatologists recommend the following steps for self-care for acne scars.
Acne treatment is especially important to prevent scarring, if you have any of the following:
- Severe Acne (Painful Cysts and Nodules): This type of acne is more likely to leave a scar when it clears.
- Acne That Started at a Young Age: People who develop acne at a young age often develop severe acne within a few years. Dermatologists recommend that a pre-teen with acne have a skin exam. Treating acne before it becomes severe has benefits, including reducing the risk of acne scarring.
- Blood Relatives With Acne Scars: The tendency to acne scars often runs in the family.
- No Results With Over-the-Counter Acne Treatments: A dermatologist can help you find an effective acne treatment.
2. When the acne is gone, continue the treatment
To keep your skin free of blemishes, dermatologists recommend continuing with acne treatment.
Most people can limit their treatment to using one product several times a week.
Your dermatologist can tell you when to stop treating your skin.
3. Avoid picking acne, squeezing and popping
Picking, popping, and squeezing can turn a simple breakout into as much of a problem as a permanent acne scar.
4. Practice gentle skin care
When acne breaks out, many people scrub their skin to clean it. Exfoliating your skin tends to exacerbate acne.
The worse your acne gets, the higher your chance of seeing permanent scars when the acne clears up.
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