Introduction
During adolescence, many individuals contend with acne. However, once this phase is left behind, the skin should ideally become smooth and blemish-free, retaining the essence of youth without the traces of acne. Unfortunately, a significant number of people not only lose their youthful appearance but also bear the burden of acne scars and blemishes. These are the remnants of youth, scars left by the traumas inflicted by acne. They come in various forms, from discoloured or red acne marks to pitted acne scars and raised scar tissue patches. Even for those who have conquered the troubles of acne, these scars can mar the overall smoothness and aesthetic appeal of the skin, eroding self-confidence and causing emotional distress over time.
Types of Acne Scarring
To restore facial skin to its smooth and flawless state, tailored approaches are necessary for different types of acne scars and blemishes. Acne scars can generally be classified into three categories: Pigmentation Acne Scars, Atrophic Acne Scars, and Hypertrophic Acne Scars.
Pigmentation Acne Scars
Pigmentation acne scars are typically flat discolourations on the skin's surface. They can appear red, pink, deep brown, or black. These discolourations do not have any surface irregularities, and they usually fade gradually over time. The duration for fading may vary based on individual factors, but it generally takes about 3 to 6 months.
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Boxcar Scars
These scars present as round or oval depressions with U-shaped edges, and their depths and shapes can vary, resulting in a diverse appearance.
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Atrophic Acne Scars
Atrophic acne scars are among the most common types of acne scars. These scars are characterized by depressions in the skin's surface, resulting in a pockmarked appearance often likened to the texture of the moon's surface. Atrophic acne scars can further be divided into three subtypes based on their appearance: Rolling Scars, Boxcar Scars, and Icepick Scars. Icepick scars are the most common among these.
Icepick Scars
Typically appearing as narrow, round or elongated punctures on the skin's surface, these scars extend deep into the skin, creating a V-shaped profile. Icepick scars are the most challenging to treat among atrophic acne scars.
Rolling Scars
These scars appear as round depressions with sloping edges that often connect, giving the skin a wavy, uneven texture. People who have experienced prolonged inflammation due to acne are more likely to develop this type of scar.
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Hypertrophic Acne Scars
Hypertrophic acne scars, also known as keloid scars, appear as raised, pink, or red scars with a firm texture that differs from the surrounding flat skin. They are more common in individuals with darker skin tones.
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Cause of Acne Scars
The appearance of acne symptoms on the skin results from inflammation, bacterial infection, and injury to the skin's tissues. The extent of damage determines the outcome of the skin's self-repair mechanism and, consequently, the type of acne scars formed. The three main types of acne scars, Pigmentation Acne Scars, Atrophic Acne Scars, and Hypertrophic Acne Scars, have distinct causes and characteristics.
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Pigmentation Acne Scars: These scars typically form in the shallow layers of the skin where inflammation occurs. Red or pink scars develop due to the dilation of blood vessels in the acne-affected areas. When acne subsides, these blood vessels do not always return to their normal size, resulting in red or pink scars. Black or deep brown scars are the result of melanocytes, the skin's pigment-producing cells, responding to severe inflammation by depositing melanin, leading to dark discolouration on the skin's surface.
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Atrophic Acne Scars: Atrophic scars form when acne-induced inflammation reaches the dermis, causing severe damage and collagen loss. The skin in this region loses its ability for self-repair, leading to depressions in the skin.
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Hypertrophic Acne Scars: These scars also develop due to deep inflammation and hair follicle damage, but the overproduction of collagen and fibrous tissue in response to injury, genetics, or secondary infections can result in raised, firm, red or pink scars.
Treatments
Chemical Skin Peels
Chemical skin peels are effective for eradicating pigmentation acne scars. By expediting the turnover of epidermal cells and removing accumulated dead skin cells, chemical peels stimulate skin cell rejuvenation. Different concentrations of chemical peels are used based on the type of pigmentation acne scars.
Glycolic Acid Peel is ideal for sensitive skin, glycolic acid peels not only alleviate inflammation caused by acne but also inhibit melanin production. They remove surface-accumulated aged keratinocytes, stimulate cell activation, and accelerate melanin metabolism to eliminate such scars.
Dermapen Microneedling Therapy
For atrophic acne scars, microneedling therapy can yield remarkable results. This technique uses fine needles to create micro-channels in the skin's surface, stimulating the skin's self-repair mechanism and prompting the accelerated production of collagen. This process is also known as Collagen Induction Therapy. The numerous small needle punctures in microneedling create "microchannels" in the skin, allowing skincare products to penetrate deeply into the dermal layers and enhance the repair of atrophic acne scars.
Vampire Facial :Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
PRP therapy, also known as Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy or Vampire Facial, is a natural treatment that leverages the rich repair factors found in your own blood plasma. It stimulates skin regeneration and is suitable for treating various types of atrophic acne scars and pigmentation acne scars. In PRP therapy, your blood is drawn and then processed to isolate and purify platelet-rich fibrin matrix (PRFM), a substance rich in growth factors that promote wound healing and stimulate collagen and elastin production. This PRFM is then reintroduced to the affected areas. After a few sessions, atrophic scars are gradually filled with new skin tissue, resulting in a significantly improved texture and a smoother, more even complexion. Additionally, PRP therapy can address concerns such as hair loss, skin aging, wound healing, and joint conditions.
