Acne Scarring: The Causes and Treatment
Almost everyone has experienced acne at some stage in their life. Constant breakouts can cause skin pigmentation and acne scarring. Acne is a common skin condition predominantly caused by hormonal changes in the body. Acne occurs when hair follicles become clogged. Sebum (oil) and dead skin cells block the pores which lead to outbreaks of lesions. The mixture of oil and dead skin cells allows bacteria that normally live on the skin to grow in the blocked follicles and cause inflammation.
Things to know about acne scars
Some types of acne will leave behind marks that may fade quickly while more severe acne can leave behind prominent scars that can last for months or even years. While it’s difficult to get rid of acne scarring completely, there are ways to improve them.
A few things can cause acne scarring, these include when acne becomes inflamed it can break down the walls of your pores leaving open wounds on the surface of the skin. The skin naturally produces collagen to repair and heal these wounds which unfortunately can leave behind visible scars. Not all acne will lead to scarring, the more inflamed the acne is, the more severe the scars will be.
Some people can be affected by scarring due to genetics, although most scars form as a result of touching, picking and squeezing blemishes. It’s best to start professional skin treatments as soon as a breakout occurs to help reduce the chances of more permanent scars.
The different types of acne scars
Acne scars can look different from person to person. There are many different types of acne scars and they are all treated differently. The different types include rolling, boxcar, and ice-pick scars which create an indentation in the surface of the skin, while keloid/hypertrophic scars are raised and feel bumpy to the touch. Keloid acne scars happen when your skin produces too much collagen. It’s possible to experience multiple types of acne scars.
Acne scarring that causes texture to the skin making it uneven will need treatments that work deeply in the skin to help stimulate collagen and elastin to plump out the scars and resurface the skin.
The difference between acne scars and hyperpigmentation
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is a result of skin trauma from mild blemishes. They present as reddish or brown marks on the surface of the skin. They tend to fade on their own or with brightening skincare ingredients. Skin treatments such as chemical peels and micro needling usually help to improve the spots quicker.
Are there ways to prevent and treat acne scars
Acne scars require professional treatments that will work to boost skin cell growth and renewal to help the skin to produce more collagen and elastin. These treatments reduce the depth and intensity of the acne scars. Investing in good skincare ingredients can also help minimise the appearance of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation and acne scars. Chemical exfoliants at home with AHAs and BHAs two to three times per week to help dissolve the top layer of dead skin cells to reveal a new layer of skin. Also incorporating a serum with Vitamin A to help brighten and fade discolouration as well as improve the skins cell turnover rate.
With all that being said, prevention is always better than a cure. The best ways to avoid acne scarring is by making sure you’re not touching, squeezing, or popping the breakouts as tempting as it may be. Professional extractions can be done in clinic correctly and safely.
Acne scarring treatments options
Healite 830nm wavelength LED can be used in the treatment of wounds, burns, bruising and post cosmetic injectables/laser. Healite LED is best used to promote healing in the skin so best results are seen while breakouts are still active. LED light therapy is also great for the reddish scars as it helps to reduce inflammation in the skin.
Peels will help exfoliate the outer layer of the skin to help improve the overall appearance of the skin. Peels are great for post inflammatory pigmentation.
Skin Needling utilises collagen induction therapy to stimulate the body’s natural wound healing response to produce healthy collagen and elastin which replaces the damaged scar tissue.
Tixel is a treatment that utilises heat to stimulate collagen. This treatment is also very resurfacing and can help to improve more superficial acne scarring and pigmentation concerns.
Genius radio frequency micro-needling works in a similar way to skin needling although is a much more intense treatment with the addition of radio frequency energy which works to stimulate a wound response with new collagen formation, tightens the scars up and breaks up damaged scar tissue. RF micro-needling is a good treatment option for patients who have regular micro-needling done regularly with little improvement.
Dermal fillers can be injected by a cosmetic registered nurse into the superficial layers of the skin to reduce the appearance of scars. These treatments are better for atrophic and rolling acne scars.