Acne scars are marks left behind after the acne itself has gone away. It’s really common. About 1 in 5 people have acne scars on their face, chest, or back.
If your goal is to make your scars less noticeable, a (skin doctor/plastic / cosmetic surgeon) can help. They can look at your skin and suggest a treatment that can help.
Acne can leave seven different kinds of scars. It’s common to have more than one type. If your skin is prone to breaking out, you might notice:
- Ice pick acne scars.
- Boxcar acne scars.
- Rolling acne scars.
- Hypertrophic acne scars
- Keloid acne scars.
- Dark spots or staining and acne scars.
- Perifollicular elastolysis
The goal is to remove damaged layers of your skin so that new, healthy skin appears. This can be done by:
- Laser. It creates a more even skin surface.
- Dermabrasion. A rapidly spinning wheel with a rough surface removes damaged skin.
- Chemical peel. A special type of acid removes the top layer of your skin. This can help with deeper scars.
- Microdermabrasion. Tiny crystals sprayed onto your skin can scrub it smooth. While this usually doesn’t get rid of acne scars, it can improve your results from other treatments.
- Subcision : Subcision is a simple minor surgical procedure that is an ideal treatment for depressed scarring. This procedure uses a hypodermic needle which is inserted through the puncture wound to break the fibrous connective tissues that tether the scar to the deeper layers of the skin.
- Laser. It creates a more even skin surface.
New skin will begin to form about 7-10 days after resurfacing. But the area may stay pink for several weeks to several months.
Treating acne scars with filler
Your doctor puts a filler (collagen or fat) into the damaged area with a needle. This puffs up the skin under the scar to help smooth it out. Because your body slowly absorbs the filler, this process needs to be repeated from time to time.
Microneedling for acne scars
A device covered in tiny needles is rolled over your skin. It’s a safe way to stimulate the tissue under it to grow. You may have to do it several times. Sometimes, doctors call this collagen induction therapy.
Skin tightening for acne scars
If your scarring is mild, a type of energy called radiofrequency can be used to produce more collagen and subtly tone your skin.
Injections for acne scars
Different types of medicine ranging from Botox to a corticosteroid to a chemotherapy drug can be injected into your skin. This is typically done in a series of treatments. Your doctor can tell you how often you will need to have it done.
Acne scar electrodesiccation
This treatment uses an electric probe to heat and kill skin tissue. It’s especially helpful with boxcar scars.
Platelet-rich plasma is taken from your own blood and injected into scars once a month for 4 months. This may help other treatments work better.
It’s important to know that acne scars can’t be treated if you still have active acne. That’s because many acne treatments interfere with medicines and procedures used to fade scars. If your skin is broken out, a dermatologist will first help you get that under control.
Various scar removal treatment packages in India may vary from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 10,000 per session. The cost of laser scar removal treatment depends on the area you want to get treated. It may also differ from one person to another based on the severity and type of their scar.
To lower your chance of scarring, follow these tips:
Don’t pick, pop, or squeeze your acne. This not only increases your chances of skin damage but also delays the healing process, so pimples take longer to go away.
Keep your hands away from your face. Dirt and bacteria on your hands and fingernails can lead to pimples or cause existing acne to flare.
Use gentle cleansers. Don’t scrub.
Quit smoking. Tobacco increases the chances that your skin will scar.
Avoid tanning. Natural sunlight and tanning beds can worsen acne. When you’re outside, wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Look for one that says “noncomedogenic” on the label. This means it won’t clog your pores and cause acne.
Watch your diet. Some studies show that foods that quickly raise your blood sugar such as white bread, white potatoes, and cornflakes, can make acne worse. More research is needed, but avoiding such foods could benefit your skin.
Consult with a experienced board certified skin / plastic / cosmetic surgeon like founder of ARUMEEN AESTHETIC CENTERE DR.A.SARAVANAN.