According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most common skin condition among Americans affecting nearly 50 million people each year. Seen mostly among adolescents and young adults, it may also affect individuals into their 30s and 40s.
While the scars caused by acne may not have any serious long-term consequences on your health, they can negatively impact your appearance and self-esteem. However, newer technological innovations and several advanced cosmetic procedures offer highly effective solutions for acne scars. Continue reading to learn more about the treatments and techniques available to help you get rid of acne scars.
What Is Acne Scar?
Acne occurs when skin pores are clogged with excess oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria resulting in blemishes on the skin. They are most commonly seen on the face, chest, and back. While some blemishes formed by acne are lighter and heal faster, sometimes the inflamed pores spill out and damage the surrounding tissues to form deep-seated acne scars. To reduce or heal such scars, you may need a cosmetic procedure performed by a board-certified physician.
Causes of Acne Scars
While acne scars are caused due to damage to the skin by inflamed skin pores, the factors that increase the risk of acne scars are:
- Acne Cysts or Nodules: These inflamed and painful types of acne are reddish in appearance and penetrate the deeper layers of the skin causing extensive damage.
- Delayed or No Treatment: Inflammatory acne needs timely and appropriate treatment. Lack of either can increase the scarring of skin tissues.
- Family History: If a blood relative suffers from acne scars, the risks of you getting them are higher.
- Mishandling of Acne: Attempts to pick, pop, or squeeze acne can lead to the formation of scars.
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Types of Acne Scars
Some scars appear as indentations on the skin’s surface due to loss of tissue and others are raised bumps. Acne scars can be classified into two broad categories:
1. Atrophic or Depressed Acne Scars
Atrophic scars are the most common type of acne scars which mostly appear on the face. They are formed when the body does not produce sufficient collagen during the acne-created wound’s healing process, leading to a depressed scar surrounded by the adjacent skin tissues.
These scars are of three types.
- Ice Pick: Found in facial areas where the skin is thinner such as the forehead and the upper cheeks, they are V-shaped scars that are wider at the top and narrow down as they go deeper.
- Rolling: Rolling scars affect those areas where the skin is thicker. They are broad depressions with rounded edges and have an undulating or rolling appearance.
- Boxcar: Boxcar acne scars are broad U-shaped scars with sharp edges and can be of varying depths.
2. Hypertrophic or Keloid Scars
These scars are mostly created by acne on the chest or the back. Not seen as often as atrophic acne scars, these blemishes appear as uplifted skin surfaces caused by excess collagen production during healing.
Is Acne Scarring a Common Condition?
Acne scarring is a very common skin-related condition. Nearly 80% of people from the age of puberty to the early thirties get acne, out of which for one in every five persons, the acne leads to scarring.
Laser Treatments for Acne Scar Reduction
Laser treatments are being used with great success to get rid of acne scars. Both ablative and non-ablative procedures can be performed for acne scars using laser technology.
Ablative Laser Treatment
This procedure uses a wand-like laser device to remove the upper skin layer through a melting or vaporizing method. Also referred to as laser peeling, it involves the removal of the old scarred skin tissues to expose new unblemished cells. The heat from the laser rays that enter the layers below the skin’s surface stimulates collagen production resulting in the formation of smoother and tighter skin.
Non-Ablative Laser Treatment
The device used for this procedure treats acne-induced inflammation, reduces sebum production, and eliminates the bacteria that cause acne. It boosts collagen production leading to firmer and blemish-free new skin.
See Also: Is Botox the Best Way to Get Rid of Wrinkles?
Factors to Consider While Selecting Acne Scar Treatment
Today a wide range of acne scar treatments are available which can be used either singly or in a combination of treatments and techniques.
However, while selecting an acne scar treatment that works best for you, you must consider the following factors:
- Type of acne scar
- Severity and extent of scarring
- Skin type
Get Rid of Acne Scars at Medrein Health & Aesthetics
At Medrein Health & Aesthetics, our expert and experienced aesthetic physician, Dr. Mikki performs non-surgical minimally-invasive procedures using the most advanced laser technology that offers outstanding results for the reduction and removal of acne scars.
If you are looking for a medspa that offers the best acne scar removal treatments near you in Southlake, TX, contact our team today. You can be assured of our highest standards of cosmetic treatments that prioritize your safety and comfort and provide results guaranteed to align with your aesthetic expectations.
