Acne affects around 9.4% of individuals globally, ranking it as the eighth most widespread condition worldwide. Acne can leave behind scars that may cause emotional distress and lower self-esteem and self-confidence due to its visibility on the face and other body areas. It may also cause anxiety or depression, making it a serious concern.
Acne scars are permanent marks or depressions on the skin that can develop due to severe acne or improper healing of acne lesions. They are a common concern for many people who have struggled with acne in the past. Acne scars can vary in appearance and severity, and they can significantly impact one’s self-esteem and confidence.
Types of Acne Scars
The first and foremost step is understanding the types of acne scars. This helps identify and treat them effectively, preventing further complications and scarring.
Depressed/Atrophic Acne Scars
Depressed or Atrophic acne scars are the most common type. These scars are typically small, round, or oval in shape and may appear as deep pits or depressions in the skin. They can be caused by the loss of collagen and tissue during the healing process after acne has cleared, resulting in an indentation in the skin.
Depressed scars can range from mild to severe, depending on the scar’s depth and size. Some common causes of these scars include genetics, hormonal imbalances, and environmental factors such as sun damage and pollution exposure.
There are three main types of atrophic acne scars:
- Ice pick scars
These scars are characterized by deep, narrow pits that resemble small holes or punctures on the skin’s surface.
- Rolling scars
These are caused by fibrous bands of tissue that form between the skin’s layers, pulling the skin’s surface downward. This results in a depressed or uneven texture.
- Boxcar scars
These are caused by the loss of collagen and tissue damage, resulting in a depressed, box-like shape.
Possible complications associated with depressed scars include an increased risk of scarring or skin damage, which can be worsened by picking at or squeezing acne.
Raised Acne Scars
Raised scars are acne scars that appear raised and thickened above the skin’s surface. These scars often have a pink or reddish hue and are more common on the back and chest. They result from the overproduction of collagen during the healing process, which causes the scar to grow beyond the original wound boundary.
The severity of raised scars can vary from mild to severe. Mild raised scars may be barely noticeable, while severe ones can be quite large and raised, causing discomfort and itchiness. The causes of hypertrophic scars are not fully understood, but they often occur in people with severe or persistent acne.
There are two main types of raised acne scars:
- Hypertrophic Scars
These are raised, thickened scars that develop due to excessive collagen production during healing. These scars typically stay within the boundaries of the original acne lesion and may gradually fade over time.
- Keloid Scars
These are also raised and extend beyond the boundaries of the original acne lesion. They result from an overgrowth of scar tissue beyond what is necessary for wound healing. Keloids can be firm, rubbery, and larger than the original acne lesion and may continue growing.
One possible complication of raised scars is their tendency to grow beyond the original wound site, resulting in a larger and more noticeable scar. Therefore, it is essential to treat them promptly to avoid complications.
Diagnosis of Acne Scars
At Acne Freedom Clinic, we understand that diagnosing your acne scars is crucial to finding the right treatment. Hence, our team of dermatologists personally examines your skin to identify the type and severity of your scars.
In addition, we also consider your medical history, previous breakouts, and treatments. In some cases, we may also use advanced tools like skin biopsy or dermatoscopy to confirm the diagnosis, particularly for severe cases.
Once we assess the severity of your acne scars, we determine the best approach for your personalized treatment. We provide various options, including topical or oral medications, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or laser therapy.
By considering factors such as your skin type and any underlying medical conditions contributing to your scars, we ensure that the treatment plan we create is tailored specifically to you.
We also recognize the importance of ruling out other skin conditions that may mimic acne scars, like rosacea or eczema. Therefore, our qualified dermatologists go the extra mile to diagnose your condition accurately. Doing so ensures that our treatment plan is effective and addresses your needs.
Treating acne scars early prevents them from becoming more severe and enhances the overall appearance of your skin.
Causes of Acne Scars
Acne is a condition that happens when skin pores become blocked, resulting in various blemishes. The type of acne an individual develops depends on what clogs their pores. Here are different factors that cause acne scars.
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Hormonal Factor
While the exact cause of acne is still under investigation, hormones are believed to play a significant role. During puberty, androgens can cause the skin’s oil glands to increase in size, leading to excess oil production that can clog pores.
Not just women, we have a lot of male patients with concerns about acne scars. Hormonal imbalances may be a primary reason behind acne among men. When left unaddressed, these marks can persist stubbornly and darken the complexion, posing an ongoing challenge for individuals seeking clear, radiant skin.
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Age Factor
Acne is not limited to adolescence, as individuals of any age can experience it. Newborns, for instance, may develop neonatal acne, a harmless condition that resolves without leaving any scars. In contrast, some infants may develop infantile acne, which can cause severe nodules and cysts, leading to permanent scarring.
Adult-onset acne is a growing problem, especially among females experiencing it for the first time in their 30s and 40s, even if they had clear skin as teenagers.
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Lifestyle and Dietary Factors
Adult acne can become resistant due to obesity and high cholesterol. Sugar and milk intake can increase the body’s insulin-like growth factor (IGF), ultimately increasing oil production and worsening acne. Additionally, menstrual history is also an area of concern. Even smoking cigarettes (nicotine) may trigger or worsen acne.
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Aggravating Factors
Stress cannot cause acne but can exacerbate existing acne. As stress levels increase, the severity of acne also increases, though stress alone cannot lead to the development of acne.
Several factors can exacerbate acne, including lack of sleep, specific dietary choices, using oily makeup, etc. These factors can lead to clogged pores, contributing to the development and worsening of acne. It is better to be mindful of what you put on your skin and hair and prioritize getting enough sleep to help maintain clear skin.
Acne Scar Treatments
At our practice, we offer various treatments to help you diminish the appearance of acne scars and restore smoother, healthier-looking skin. Let’s explore the different types of treatments available for acne scars at our clinic.
Microdermabrasion
Diamond microdermabrasion treatment is what we undertake for mild acne scars. It removes skin deposits and stimulates collagen production, lightening scars. Multiple sessions, usually over 10, may be needed for best results. Temporary redness may occur but will match natural skin tone.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels delicately remove the outer skin layers, unveiling a refined and rejuvenated complexion. Superficial peels, enriched with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), are useful to diminish the appearance of mild acne scars, targeting surface irregularities and shallow indentations.
Moreover, chemical peels effectively combat post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, reducing the visibility of dark spots or discoloration resulting from acne breakouts. When it comes to mild acne scars, these peels stimulate collagen production, enhancing skin texture and smoothness.
Nonetheless, it’s important to acknowledge that chemical peels may not yield the same effectiveness for deep or severe acne scars.
Laser Treatment
Laser treatment is a popular choice for reducing the visibility of acne scars. We offer different types of laser treatments, including ablative and non-ablative lasers.
- Ablative lasers remove the top layer of damaged skin, leading to the growth of new, healthier skin cells.
- Non–ablative lasers heat the skin’s deeper layers without removing the outer layer. This stimulates collagen production and improves the appearance of scars.
- Gold laser toning is a highly effective solution that can work wonders. This treatment is designed to reduce scarring, improve the skin texture, and enhance the overall complexion. With our advanced techniques, our patients have achieved smoother and more radiant skin.
- Laser resurfacing is a proven method that utilizes vaporization to eliminate the outer layer of scars. By doing so, we significantly reduce their visibility.
- Fractional laser scar treatment for those seeking a less invasive option. With this technique, only a fraction of the skin is targeted with laser energy, leaving the surrounding skin untouched.
Dermapen
We highly recommend the Dermapen treatment to our patients for various skin issues, including acne scars. We use the Dermapen 4, the latest in micro-needling technology. The Dermapen 4 utilizes the most advanced needle cartridge innovation to pierce the skin vertically. Compared to other micro-needling devices, it glides smoothly, producing millions of tiny fractional channels up to 104% faster. These channels can penetrate the skin up to 80% deeper with topical nutrients for greater results and hydration. Our patients have reported a painless experience during the Dermapen treatment.
Our specialized dermatology clinic, Acne Freedom Clinic in Mumbai (Andheri), offers effective solutions for various types of acne scars, including depressed and raised acne scars. Our personalized and advanced acne scar treatment plans, from laser therapy to dermapen, help reduce the appearance of acne scars and improve the texture and tone of the skin. We also have customized acne scar treatment options to help our patients achieve healthy, clear, and smooth skin!
MnRF Treatments
We use MnRF (Microneedling Radiofrequency) treatments to help improve your skin. These treatments involve tiny needles creating controlled micro-injuries on your skin’s surface while delivering radiofrequency energy. This stimulates collagen production, tightens your skin, and enhances its texture. It’s a safe and effective way to reduce acne scars, wrinkles and enhance the overall quality of your skin.
Fillers
Our injectable fillers restore volume and improve depressed acne scars. We use collagen, hyaluronic acid, or fat depending on scar depth. Temporary fillers last 6-18 months, while permanent fillers provide longer-lasting outcomes. Fat fillers contain stem cells for enhanced healing.
Injections
We provide targeted injections for raised acne scars, transforming them into smoother, flatter ones. Treating raised scars requires a clinical approach, often with multiple visits and weekly injections adjusted to scar severity.
Skin Grafting
Prominent acne scars are treated with skin grafting. Skin from behind the ear fills the scar, resulting in complete disappearance as it integrates with the surrounding tissue. Improvements in texture and appearance are noticeable within weeks.
Reference links:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25597339/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32088269/
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/really-acne/adult-acne
