Acne scars, as its name suggests, is caused by acne, a skin condition that occurs due to inflammation of the sebaceous glands. During puberty, the sebaceous gland is activated and secretes sebum, skin oil, which lubricates the skin to protect against friction.
The inflammation of the gland causes excess secretion of sebum and makes it a propitious ground for certain bacteria to grow. This clogs the skin pores with bacteria, sebum, dirt, and dead skin cells leading to inflammation and scarring.
While others may be lucky to have blemishes that come and go, some get scarred by acne. However, different medical procedures will enable people with acne scars to get rid of them.
Microdermabrasion is a medical and invasive procedure that aims to remove acne scars and rejuvenate the skin tone and texture.
This procedure exfoliates the layer of dead and dry skin cells. Using a device consisting of a diamond tip or fine crystals, the affected skin area is sanded. It also targets to remove dark spots caused by acne.
This acne scar treating procedure is similar to microdermabrasion in that they aim to buff away the top layer of the skin. The difference between them is that the former has a faster healing time.
Laser resurfacing is not a suitable option for those that have darker skin tones or still getting breakouts. The treated area will be bandaged and removed only when it has healed up.
The cost of this procedure depends on your geographical area and insurance. Be sure to be provided with this in-office procedure by a well-trained dermatologist.
This is an in-office acne scar treatment suitable for all types of acne scars, especially deeper scars. It involves removing the top layer of the acne-affected skin to reduce the deep scar using a strong acid.
There are many kinds of chemical peels but your healthcare provider should be the one that helps you choose one that will suit your skin.
Microneedling is an acne-treating procedure that reduces the depth of acne scars. This procedure involves inserting needles inside the affected areas to stimulate the body to secrete more collagen, a biological compound that smoothens out the skin.
Microneedling can come with side effects such as pain, redness, inflammation, and more. However, these side effects subside as time goes on.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it takes up to nine months to see the therapeutic effects of Microneedling. It is safe to work for all skin tones.
There are some cases where dermatologists will require using soft tissue fillers to reduce the appearance of scars. The fillers elevate the depressed areas evening out with the rest of the skin surface.
The filler used is most often collagen-based products or other commercial fillers such as poly-Lactic acid (PLLA), hyaluronic acid (HA), and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). Dermal filler treatment is typically temporary as it lasts between six and 18 months.
Intense pulsed light treatment is a non-invasive procedure that is for anyone that aims to reduce acne scarring. A handheld device that emits a spectrum of light is focused on the acne-scarred area that targets the sebaceous gland and kills the bacteria that thrive in them.
IPL treatment is safe and non-abrasive and one does not need to be anaesthetized before the procedure. IPL treatment is recommended for anybody except those with darker skin tones due to the possibility of hyperpigmentation.
It is a safe procedure for improving one’s skin condition.
Acne scars are a skin condition that can affect anyone. It can ruin one’s appearance and make them feel uncomfortable in their skin. We hope the aforementioned remedies can help people with acne scars regain their confidence.
For more information on acne scar remedies, including IPL treatment in London, please feel free to get in touch with our specialist.
