Acne Scarring

Chronic acne can leave permanent scars on ones face. A scar is formed as the natural part of the healing process. These scars vary from deep pit scars to angular and wavelike scars. Fortunately, laser treatments are available at our office to reduce the appearance of acne scarring. Lasers from Lumenis are highly effective in removing these scars.

How do acne scars form?

Acne scars are scars like any other. They generally appear after facial acne clears up and are remnants left behind. During an acne breakout they are more common when irritated (by touching or scratching), risks increase when individuals:

• Have more red inflammatory acne. Swollen, painful, often cystic acne, that penetrates deep into the pores. Don’t treat acne in a timely manner.
• Pick, squeeze or pop their acne.
• Have acne scars run in their family. Acne scars can be hereditary, passed on through generations. Acne scars are a product of deep penetrating cystic acne, and tissue damage. Like scars on other regions of the body they present themselves when the body is trying to heal itself, however being on the face, deep in the pore, they do not heal as fast on their own. Acne scars can last for life in severe cases. When trauma from acne occurs, the body produces collagen to heal itself. If too little or too much collagen is produced then a scar will appear.

Types of acne scars

• Depressed acne scars : Occur when the body produces too little collagen, depressions and pits form in the skin as it heals.
• Raised acne scars: When the body produces too much collagen as acne is healing, raised acne scars appear. Rather than a depression, the skin scar protrudes out. These are more common in people of color, with darker shades of skin.

Treatment

To treat acne scars there are a number of methods. Depending on the type of scar and how they present themselves we will determine your course of treatment. Generally we will use our Lumenis laser resurfacing method. Laser energy penetrates the skin boosting collagen production and stimulating the growth of new, clearer skin. The old skin will peel away and the skin will be smoother, tighter and better looking.

Other Treatment Methods we may use are:

• Acne scar surgery
• Chemical peels
• Dermabrasion
• Microdermabrasion
• Facial fillers
• Skin tightening
• Needling and Micro-Needling (collagen-induction therapy)
• Corticosteroid injections
• Cryosurgery
• Scar creams