Acne scars is the result of healing sequence of acne, especially if left untreated or neglected. Acne scars is most common issue and they are even visible from 10mtrs distance leading to social impact and psychological problems especially in youngsters and adulthood.
Though you must have tried many home remedies and procedure in treating acne scarring, but nothing works and later makes you more frustrating as you lose money and most precious time.Nowadays energy or laser based treatments are the evidence based and most advance acne scar removal treatment advise by dermatologist.
However, when it comes to treating acne scarring, “patience” is more important.
The term scarring refers to a fibrous process in which new collagen is formed, following a full thickness injury. It affects 30% of those with moderate to severe acne. It is particularly common in severe acne such as nodulocystic or acne conglobata or fulminans Acne scars are formed after healing of moderate and severe pimples. Abnormal healing and dermal inflammation create the scar.
There are different types of acne scars and broadly classified as depressed or raised scars.
Depressed scars: are the shallow dents or pits on the skin due to loss of tissue or collagen.
Ice-pick scarwhich are narrow and deep into the skin and resembles as large pores.
Boxcar scars, are round or oval depressions or wide box-shaped with sharply demarcated vertical edges develop on cheeks and temple.
Rolling scarsare wide depressions that typically have rounded edges and an irregular rolling appearance.
Atrophic scars : are formed after healing of inflammatory acne and appear as bumps on the skin surface and are due excess scar tissue formation on the skin.
Raised Scars:are the shallow dents or pits on the skin due to loss of tissue or collagen.
Papular scars:are 3-4mm skin colored cobblestone or soft elevated lesions, commonly seen over nose, chin, and trunk.
Hypertrophic or keloid scarsare raised firm and red and occur after any skin injury or acne, and occur due to overproduction of collagen.
There are various modalities used to treat acne scars effectively. Treatment has to be tailored to the individual patient based on the skin type or color, scar type and the patient's economic capacity.
Before treating acne scar, it’s important to know the prevention of acne scars and different type of acne scar as each type responds to treatment differently.
Fractional lasers:
This Alpha Beta Hydroxy Skin Rejuvenating Solutions are quite effective in lightening and treating acne scars and soften scar tissue. This is the most common acne marks removal process involving natural organic like glycolic, lactic, or citric peeling agents are used to eliminate the upper layer (dead layer) of the skin and induce new skin formation that is visibly lighter and smoother.
Microdermabrasion is a most common acne scar removaltreatment in which the skin is treated with the help of a special device that remove the dead layer of skin and promotes tissue regeneration. This procedure is used to treat mild acne scars, fine lines and skin discoloration.
Fillersare a temporary way to fill a depressed scar using fillers such as Restylane/Perlane.
Derma roller is a revolutionary device which has the amazing ability to naturally stimulate collagen and elastin production in the skin without damaging it.
is the newer and advance treatment which shows better results when combined with acne laser treatment. Though it commonly used for skin rejuvenation treatment of delicate areas like skin under eye. During this process the patient’s own blood is processed and is introduced back into the skin to stimulate the process of regeneration of skin cells and collagen.
is defined as chemical reconstruction of skin scars (CROSS) using trichloroacetic acid (TCA). This being the most common and cheapest scar removal treatments processes used to treat pitted or ice-pick acne scars.
It is usually performed to treat deep rolling scars and an experienced dermatologist is more important to perform this procedure. During this facial scar treatment process, the skin tissue is separated from the deeper scar tissue. After this procedure, acne scars lifts up by 80% and we can see the results immediately.
It is usually performed using a punch biopsy tool and considered to be better alternative than laser treatment for acne scars like boxcar scars or ice-pick scars. We can see results in 2 to 3 months. Wide acne scars can also be fixed through punch elevation procedure.
This process involves rotating electrical machine, which penetrates more deeply and can completely remove surface scars and significantly improve the look of deep acne scars; done under local or general anesthesia. Dermabrasion, on the other hand, is a minimally invasive procedure for acne scar reduction
is surgery to improve or reduce the appearance of scars and blends in with the surrounding skin. It also restores function, and corrects skin changes disfigurement caused by injury or previous surgery or wound poor healing.
are usually done in ice pick and punch (boxscars) out acne scars In the punch excision, the acne scar is surgically removed through a punch matching the size of the scar and the skin edges are sutured together. Punch excision is ideal for deep ice pick scars and narrow, deep scars. Punch elevation is utilized for depressed scars like chicken pox scars or boxscars.
is simple effective treatment done for depressed acne scars. In this process a small punch tool is used to punch a hole in the skin, removing the scar and replace it with a plug of new skin. The new plugged skin inserted into the area, are usually removed from behind the ear lobe. The grafts held in place with sutures or surgical glue.
as a natural filler for treating depressed scar and recently been used.
Nowadays, laser scar removal is one of the most popular and most demanded scar removing techniques, the reason being non-surgical, non-invasive technique, most effective results without any discomfort and downtime of surgery.Acne Scar Laser Treatmentuses high-energy beams to break hard scar tissues and remove the damaged and older skin tissue and rebuilds it with fresh, new collagen without harming the surrounding skin tissues and leaving behind less visible scars, most attractive and smoother skin.
Different laser technologies are used to treat different acne scars. For example,
devicestreats microscopic columns of skin. It is a non-invasive treatment that uses a device to deliver a laser beam that targets a fraction of the skin at a time. These are called micro-thermal treatment zones (MTZs). Within each MTZ old epidermal pigmented cells are expelled and the neo-collagenosis happens in the dermis which evens out the depressions in the skin.
Fractional laser resurfacing technologies which are the most commonly used are:
Fractional Co2 laser: produces a specific wavelength of light in the mid-infrared spectrum (10600 nm) and new versions have a super or ultra pulsed mode and its chromophore is water. It is most effective for depressed atrophic acne scars. However it is also used for wrinkles, sagging of skin and for skin rejuvenation and free hand co2 laser is used to treat papular acne scars over nose and chin.
is a solid-state laser and emits a wavelength of 2940nm and its chromophore is water and is closer to the peak spectrum of water and therefore has an absorption coefficient 12-16times higher than the CO2 laser. It is also a versatile laser and can be used in different modes such as ablative or non-ablative for atrophic acne scars.
is one of most advance non-ablative laser technology with contact cooling, used for acne scars and rejuvenation of skin. It works at 1550 nm wavelengthon the deeper layers of the dermis without affecting the superficial layers of the skin with no downtime unlike other fractional technologies.
the micro-needles are driven directly into the skin at a certain depth, and radiofrequency energy is then released; generating heat throughout the dermis resulting in volumetric tightening, collagen remodeling and production.
It is considered safer than fractional laser treatment for atrophic acne scars or open pores or sagging skin and can be used on all types of skin without any major adverse effects.
it is done with radiofrequency device and is not a laser; it can be used in a patient having laser phobia; for treating any atrophic or acne scar.
Pico laser is a new innovation in treating acne scars by inducing optical breakdown or micro-subsicion; which promotes collagen and elastin production. Pico Laser (or picosecond laser) is a laser device that uses very short pulse duration less than 1 nano second which predominantly causes photoacoustic damage. Picosecond laser is mainly used for pigmentation removal, acne scars, skin rejuvenation and brightening, and tattoo removal.
Pulsed dye laser are basically designed to rid patients of benign vascular lesions; they can also be used to treat scars especially red acne scars or fresh scars, hypertrophic or keloid scars.
It uses pneumatic energy to first break up the tight scar tissue underneath the skin which responds to micro-trauma by stimulating elastin and collagen production; after which micro-droplets of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid are delivered resulting in an improvement of the acne scars and is also ideal for kinetic facelifts, scar repair, and dermal thickening. (No needles, no risks of burns, no tissue necrosis. It is just safe with long-lasting results.)
In Clear Skin hair and laser Centre we proudly say that we are providing all types of treatments with various laser technologies in treating acne, acne scars and color improvement.
We proudly say that at present we are the first and only centre in India to provide the most advance, time-tested, USFDA approved treatment with different technologies for acne scars under-one roof.
The cost of laser treatment for acne scarsin Clear Skin Laser centre is decided based on the type of laser treatment required, the depth and width of acne scars, and the number of sessions required.
| DO | DON'T |
|---|---|
| Do consult your nearby dermatologist in initial stages | Don’t touch, pick, pop or squeeze your pimples |
| Do regularly moisturize your skin | Don’t waste your time in trying home-remedies for scar, as they don’t work |
| Do strictly follow a healthy life-style and skincare regime to prevent acne | Don’t over-exfoliate |
| Do use the medical treatment prescribed by doctor for acne | Don’t scrub your skin too roughly. |
| Do get rejuvenation peels on/off, if moderate acne recurs | Don’t ignore the severe acne, early treatment can prevent aggravation and scarring |
| Do stay hydrated | Do not forget to avoid sun exposure |
| Do not forget to avoid sun exposure |
