Treating Acne Scars
Acne scars and blemishes are among the most persistent problems that can obscure beauty and give the skin an unhealthy appearance. In this article, we will discuss the causes of these scars, their types, and how to treat them.
Causes of Acne Scars
Acne can leave scars on the skin for several reasons, such as:
Popping Acne Pimples
A common mistake among acne sufferers is touching and attempting to pop acne pimples. This action increases skin inflammation, irritation, and the likelihood of scarring.
Severe Skin Damage
Some types of acne cause deep skin damage, resulting in scarring. This includes acne nodules, which appear as hard lumps under the skin, and cysts that contain pus and are painful to touch.
Genetics
If a close family member suffers from acne scars, you might be prone to them as well. People with darker skin are also more likely to develop these scars.
Types of Acne Scars
There are various types of acne scars, including:
Ice Pick Scars
Ice pick scars are small, deep holes in the skin, typically appearing on the forehead and upper cheeks where the skin is thinner.
Boxcar Scars
Boxcar scars look like a square or round indentation in the skin, often appearing on the jawline or lower cheeks.
Rolling Scars
If your skin appears wavy and uneven, you might have rolling scars. These scars are caused by damage under the skin’s surface, commonly seen in the lower cheeks or around the jawline.
Treating Acne Scars
There are various types of acne scars, including:
Ice Pick Scars
Ice pick scars are small, deep holes in the skin, typically appearing on the forehead and upper cheeks where the skin is thinner.
Boxcar Scars
Boxcar scars look like a square or round indentation in the skin, often appearing on the jawline or lower cheeks.
Rolling Scars
If your skin appears wavy and uneven, you might have rolling scars. These scars are caused by damage under the skin’s surface, commonly seen in the lower cheeks or around the jawline.
Treating Acne Scars
Several treatment options are available for acne scars, determined by a doctor based on the depth of the scars. Here are some examples of treatment options:
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels help remove the upper layer of the skin, reducing the appearance of deep acne scars.
Filler Injections
Doctors use filler injections, either with collagen or fat, in the affected area to plump the skin under the scar, helping to smooth it out. Since the body slowly absorbs the injections, this procedure needs to be repeated periodically.
Botox Injections
Sometimes acne scars become raised, and doctors might suggest injecting them with Botox to relax the surrounding skin, improving the appearance of the scars. As this treatment is temporary, repeated injections are necessary to maintain results.
Laser Treatment
Doctors use laser treatment to reshape the skin and stimulate collagen and elastin production during the healing phase, which can reduce the appearance of acne scars.
Micro needling
Dermatologists use small needles to puncture the skin affected by acne scars, stimulating the body to produce new collagen and elastin. This treatment is also known as collagen induction therapy, as the new collagen helps reduce the visibility of acne scars.
Microdermabrasion
While not a standalone treatment for acne scars, microdermabrasion helps improve the results of other treatments.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
Dermatologists use PRP to enhance the results of other treatments, such as micro needling. This involves drawing a small amount of blood, placing it in a device that separates the platelets, and then using these platelets in the treatment.
Surgery
Some may need minor surgery to remove severe acne scars or cysts. The doctor cuts out or loosens the scars and then repairs the area with stitches or skin grafts (skin from another part of the body).
Treating Acne Scars at Dr. Rana Gheith's Center
At Dr. Rana Tariq Gheith’s Center, we strive to provide the highest level of efficiency and safety in treating acne scars and the blemishes they leave behind. We determine the type of scars and marks and then decide on the most suitable treatment for each type using the latest non-surgical therapeutic techniques to achieve the best results.
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