Thanks for reaching out to us! You are taking the first step in a journey that will last a lifetime. We have a very well-versed staff and take skin care very seriously. Our approach to skin care is to develop healthier, younger looking skin for all of our clients. We are very successful in our daily practice and our clients see fantastic results!
We have put together a helpful information sheet just for you! Let us know if we can help in your journey to achieve the best results.
What Causes Acne Scarring?
Acne scars are the result of inflammation of acne blemishes. The acne pore swells and a breakdown occurs in the wall of the pore. Some acne blemishes are small and the scars created are shallow and heal quickly. Sometimes the contents of blemishes spill into the surrounding tissue and cause deeper scars. The skin’s response is to repair the scar by forming new collagen fibers.
Acne scars take on two main forms: either there is a scar indentation that results from loss of tissue, or a scar develops that is raised on the surface of the skin. This type of acne scar is created when too much collagen is made to help “heal the wound”.
Keep in mind that just because you have acne, that doesn’t mean you’ll get scars. If you have acne scarring the good news is that not all acne scars are permanent! Treatments are available. Some treatments nearly remove the scars while others help the skin heal itself with its own collagen.
What causes Acne?
An acne lesion (pimple) grows when bacteria, oils and dead skin fill up and inflame pores, the tiny openings in your skin through which oil and sweat rise to the surface. Sometimes, dead skin cells can clog up a pore. Sometimes clogged pores are small and result in “whiteheads or blackheads.” Sometimes these pores become inflamed and lead to various types of acne.
Acne is the most common skin condition in the world. About 80% of people between the ages of 11 and 30 will have it. Teenagers get acne due to their changing hormones. Adults have stress, the environment, menstrual cycles, oil-based products, birth control pills and hormones that can play a large role.
How can I prevent acne scars?
Prevent acne scars by getting treatment for your acne as soon as possible! There’s no 100% guarantee that the acne scars will be completely gone. But most treatments reduce the size of the acne scars and make them less visible. Without treatment, acne scars are likely to stick around for the rest of your life. Acne scars can cause psychological distress, self-esteem issues and interfere with your social life or relationships. This is why it’s important to eliminate your acne before it has the chance to scar. See your provider for acne treatment advice, follow instructions and return for the treatment of scars—if scarring occurs—in its early stages when you have the best chance of reducing skin damage.
How can I reduce my risk of acne scars?
Wear sunblock: Sunlight is important because your skin uses light energy to help make vitamin D. However, too much sun can darken scarring. And the darker your skin color, the more obvious your scars will be.
Don’t pick, scratch, or squeeze: Causing extra damage to your skin promotes inflammation which will make scars worse.
Treat your acne immediately: The longer you wait, the greater the likelihood of scars.
Don’t smoke: Smoking tobacco increases your risk of scarring. Not just acne scars, but scars on your body in general.
What at-home treatments are most effective for removing acne scars?
Over-the-counter creams are best. Check with your provider regarding which is best for your skin type and your type of scar. There are a variety of effective creams out there. They include the following chemicals, or a combination of:
Alpha hydroxy acids.
Lactic acid.
Retinoids.
Salicylic acid.
You may choose to cover-up scars with facial hair or makeup. There are many over-the-counter makeup products available as well.
There are many cosmetic procedures to choose from. You and your provider will discuss the best options for your acne scars. It is not unusual for a patient to have repeat procedures, or need two or more types of procedures to restore their skin.
To improve the results that patients see, microneedling is often used along with another treatment like radiofrequency, chemical peeling, or platelet-rich plasma.
Resurfacing Procedures:
Chemical Peels: This treatment uses special chemicals to remove the top layer of old skin. Typically whenever the top layer is removed, the new skin that grows in is smoother and has fewer scars.
Microdermabrasion: Microdermabrasion, similar to dermabrasion, uses a special machine to remove the upper layer of skin.
Laser Skin Resurfacing: A laser delivers heat to the scarred collagen under the skin. This relies on the body’s wound-healing response to create new, healthy collagen. This encourages the growth of new skin.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): Your provider may use this treatment to enhance the results of another treatment like microneedling. PRP involves having a small amount of your blood drawn. This blood is placed into a machine that separates the blood so that your dermatologist can use your platelets. Your provider will inject your platelets into the treated area. Studies show that using PRP along with another treatment like microneedling can lead to less visible scarring.
Radiofrequency Microneedling combines radiofrequency with microneedling, a procedure that punctures your skin with tiny needles. Using both can produce less noticeable acne scars than either radiofrequency or microneedling alone. Both radiofrequency and radiofrequency microneedling are safe for all skin tones.
Ask your provider about other options that might work best for you.
What questions should I ask my healthcare provider about acne scars?
What’s the best makeup I can use to cover my acne scars?
Which in-office procedure is best for me?
Do acne scar removal treatments hurt?
What will my skin look like right after the procedure?
How long will it take my skin to recover from the procedure?
Which over-the-counter medication is best for me?
How can I prevent scars from returning?
We hope this download helped! If you have any questions feel free to reach out, we are always happy to help you in your skin journey.
Have a great day!
Sincerely,
The Rejuvenation Med Spa and Laser Team!