Acne Scars
Many people suffer from scars caused by acne. Scarring generally takes place as a direct result of damage to the skin in the healing timeframe of active acne lesions.
80 to 90 % of individuals that have acne scars usually show scars that are related to a loss of collagen (these are known as atrophic scars), while a smaller percentage of individuals show hypertrophic scars.
Acne Scar Treatments There are quite a few highly aggressive surgical treatment options available which are able to show improvement in acne scars. Some treatment options are able to resolve the scarred skin surface and expose the unblemished layers of the skin. These treatment options include the following:
- Dermabrasion
- Lasers treatments
- Injections given beneath the skin, known as “fillers”
- Chemical peeling using different peeling agents
Prior to opting for such treatment options, it is of vital importance to have a discussion with your dermatologist regarding the details of the treatment procedures, needed precautions to be taken, as well as the possible outcomes and results.
If acne scarring significantly disturbs you, a number of safe as well as highly effective treatment options are presently available. Treatment of acne scars can reduce the degree of scarring that result in deep depressions on the surface of the skin. Use of a proper treatment option is also helpful in safely reducing raised acne scars. Most of the available treatment options such as laser treatments, minor skin surgeries, chemical
peels, or the use of fillers, are generally done by a qualified dermatologist or a dermatologic surgeon in a clinic or medical facility.
As a person ages, acne scars usually become more prominent due to the fact that the skin experiences loss of collagen. It is important to select a treatment that is suitable for one’s acne scar type. For example, a person that has very deep scars can see improvements after using a filler treatment that works by adding volume to the affected skin.
Prior to opting for any kind of treatment for acne scars, one must first clear the acne. New acne breakouts generally cause new acne scarring. In addition, active acne lesions generally mean that the skin is inflamed and this inflammation decreases the efficiency of any used acne scar treatment.
Topical Acne Scar Treatments
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), topical treatment options for acne scars are useful in diminishing the appearance of acne scars but do not help in removing them. A number of over-the-counter nonprescription as well as prescription medications are available and they assist in flattening raised scars and also in reducing the degree of skin discoloration.
Consultation with a qualified dermatologist is recommended in selecting the best treatment suited for a particular person’s condition. If the acne scars are very severe and raised, it would become essential to use a prescription topical cream.
Tretinoin has been known to be helpful in reducing the size of raised scars and also in stopping itching and pain. Another topical option is corticosteroids, which can be prescribed by the dermatologist for the treatment of acne scarring. Using a combination of corticosteroids and tretinoin has been known to increase the level of the reduction of acne scars.
The AAD has stated that a number of nonprescription acne creams which have glycolic acid, vitamin C as well as retinol as the active ingredient are helpful in making depressed acne scars less visible. Most of these topical formulations promote the body to produce collagen that acts by plumping the skin. If there are issues of skin discoloration, some of the over-the-counter skin-lightening creams can be used to get an even as well as smooth skin tone. When selecting an over-the-counter topical treatment for acne scarring, one should look for those which have any of the following ingredients:
- Non-Toxic active ingredients: These include kojic acid which is a natural skin lightener extracted from mushrooms. Some other nontoxic active ingredients include: Asaf(o)etida (this is obtained from Ferula Assa-Foetida Extract), Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Sweet flag-Calamus as well as Licorice Extract.
- Vitamin C: Vitamins C (also known as ascorbic acid) is a very good active ingredient to look especially in facials masks as well as serums. It is not advisable to use too much of topical vitamin C that is present in a number of available commercial products and when used judiciously these have a very good effect of gradually de-pigmenting the discolored skin. One can also opt for exfoliation treatments using a Vitamin C mask. It is safe to have a brief exposure to a high skin concentration of vitamin C and this is possible when using a good quality facial mask containing vitamin C. The concentrated dosage of Vitamin C is quite efficient in healing acne scarring and in depigmenting that affected skin. The free radicals of the vitamin C assist in combating scars but when used in excessive doses they can also result in serious as well as permanent damage on a cellular level to the skin. However, use of brief high doses of vitamin C is very effective in causing the fading of acne scars.
- Glycolic Lotion: This is known to be one of the best “hydroxy” topical ingredients that are used for fading pigmentation and getting a smoother skin texture. This works in the form of a very strong exfoliant that has the impact of evening out the top as well as the under section of an acne scar. It also has the ability to remove some parts of the gray appearance usually seen with acne scarring. Acne scars have been found to become flat and less know a civil when one makes use of any over-the-counter formulation that has glycolic acid for at least six to 12 months. One can also opt to have a glycolic peel at the dermatologist, but the poetess less costly to opt for a good quality daily use product at home.
- Salicylic Acid: Another good topical “hydroxy” one can use for an oily or normal skin with acne scarring is a salicylic face wash or lotion. Topical salicylic acid is known to decrease the discoloration of acne scars. It acts by exfoliating the skin and removing the dead skin cells from the topmost epidermal skin layers this helps in making sure that the pores do not get plugged up. In addition, by removing the top skin cells, it has the effect of reducing the appearance of the surface scars and stimulating the secretion of collagen inside the skin’s layers and healing the scarring.
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