Picking, popping, and poking pimples. We all know we’re not supposed to do it, but it’s just too tempting.
Of course, that’s not the only reason acne scars form. But if you have them, what you’re really interested in is getting rid of them.
In this article, we uncover what acne scars are and most importantly – how to remove or reduce them.
Acne Scars
In short, acne scars are tissue damage caused by inflammations. Despite their name, they aren’t always the result of acne. Almost any cosmetic skin lesion, be it a papule, pimple or cyst, can lead to an acne scar.
Acne scars form when the pores around the lesion become inflamed, allowing them to fill with oils, bacteria, dead skin. This causes the pore to swell up, breaking the follicle wall. The infected material destroys healthy skin tissue, and scar tissue begins to form.
When this happens near the surface of the skin, it tends to heal quickly. But the deeper it happens the longer lasting and more intensive the resulting damage. At this stage, professional intervention is necessary for acne scar removal or reduction.
A professional can help determine the type of acne scar you have, and the best option for reduction. The five types of acne scars are:
- Boxcar acne scars
- Hypertrophic acne scars
- Icepick acne scars
- Keloid acne scars
- Rolling acne scars
Comparing Acne Scar Reduction Treatments
Each set of acne scar reduction procedures has its own benefits and effects. A plastic surgeon can assess your skin and the extent of the damage to determine the best option for you. In the meantime, here is a comparison of what you can expect from different acne scar removal treatments.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are a great way to treat lost volume as a result of acne scarring. They are most effective for treating rolling scars. But they can help with icepick and boxcar scars as well.
The filler lifts the depressed scars, filling out the face and hiding the appearance of the scars.
One of the biggest benefits of using dermal fillers for acne scars is that the results are near-immediate. There is also no downtime and side-effects are minimal or non-existent. You can get this treatment over a lunch break and go back to work the same day.
The downside is that this is a temporary solution. Although dermal fillers restore the appearance of acne-scarred skin they don’t actually cure it. Once the filler wears off (usually 6 months to 1 year) the scarring reappears.
Dermal fillers can help to break up scar tissue and is sometimes used in combination with other treatments for lasting results.
Chemical Peels
Reducing acne scars with a chemical peel is effective for icepick scars (acne vulgaris). The chemicals promote collagen production, filling in the pitted scars and strengthening the skin. It’s a good treatment for patients with certain scarring and skin types.
One of the benefits of using a chemical peel is that it has more lasting results than a dermal filler. And, just like a dermal filler, the doctor can target the specific treatment area. As well, peels offer other skin benefits to help refresh your skin.
The downside is that this is a slower process. To reduce or remove your acne scars, you’ll need a few chemical peels over the course of up to 9 months. As well, skin type can limit who can use this treatment.
Laser Acne Scar Reduction
Cosmetic hybrid fractional laser for acne scar removal promotes natural healing through a safe, non-invasive procedure. The beams help the body form new, healthy tissue. It works for most types of acne scarring.
The main benefit is that laser acne scar reduction offers the best results and the most dramatic improvement. As well, using a fractional laser results in minimal downtown – usually 3-5 days. It is also a permanent solution.
The downside is that it is that although the effects are fast, they are not as immediate as dermal fillers.
Book Acne Scar Reduction in Newmarket
Newmarket’s Plastic Surgery Skin Clinic offers a range of services and treatments for acne scar reduction and other skin treatments. Come in for a consultation to determine the best service to reduce your scarring safely and effectively.
Book an acne scar reduction consultation today!