Suffering from acne is hard enough and those impacted often feel self-conscious and frustrated as despite the most robust of skincare routines, those dreaded pimples and pustules continue to make an appearance. Perhaps worse than this, however, is that once the spots disappear, sufferers can be left with scars and pigmentation issues. There are four main types of acne scarring, defined as rolling, atrophic, boxcar, anchored and ice pink. The type of scar will determine the most suitable treatment options and patient related factors will have to be considered.
What causes acne scarring?
Acne scars occur secondary to swelling of the pore at the site of the pustule. This causes a breakdown in the wall of the follicle and the contents can spill into the surrounding tissue. Shallow lesions tend to be minor and can heal quickly, however, those that are larger (such as those seen in cystic acne) can cause deeper depressions in the skin that will persist longer term..
How can you get rid of acne scarring?
While acne scarring can affect your confidence and the way you feel about your appearance, the good thing is that it can be treated safely and effectively. You will firstly need a consultation with a medical professional where your skin will be examined after a thorough medical history is taken. At this point, the various treatment options may be explained.
Botox® and other neuromodulators
While many think of botox® for reducing lines and wrinkles in the skin, it can also be an effective acne scarring treatment. This is because the skin around acne scars can pucker, something that botox can help to relax, improving the appearance of the scar.
Dermal fillers
Another method to get rid of acne scarring is through soft tissue fillers. These fillers work by injecting filler directly into the scars to improve their appearance. This then can stimulate the skin’s natural production of collagen as well as raise the areas of the skin that are depressed. This treatment tends to take between 15 to 60 minutes depending on the amount of scarring and how deep these scars are.
Chemical peel
A chemical peel involves a strong acid such as Glycolic or salicylic acid that is put onto the skin to exfoliate (remove) the top layer of the skin. You will typically need around four rounds of a chemical peel for the best results and it’s not typically recommended for very deep scarring.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion tends to be one of the most popular acne scar treatments. A skin-resurfacing procedure, it is better for scars such as rolling scars or shallow boxcar scars that are closer to the surface of the skin. While it can’t diminish deeper scars, it can make them less noticeable.
Laser resurfacing
Laser resurfacing is similar to a chemical peel in the way that it removes the top layer of skin to encourage the production of collagen and regeneration to the damaged skin. There are a few different types of laser that can be used depending on the type of scarring and how deep they are in the skin. Results can last a long time but aren’t necessarily permanent and another session might be needed as your skin continues to age.
Skin needling
Skin needling, also called micro-needling, is a minimally invasive acne scarring treatment whereby a roller of fine needles gently punctures the skin. It creates a micro-wound that spontaneously closes after 10 minutes allowing the epidermal barrier to remain intact. These needles trigger inflammation that encourages the production of new capillaries, elastic and collagen designed to improve the appearance of scars, particularly hypertrophic ones.
These are just a few of the best treatments for acne scarring. At Acquisition Aesthetics, we offer clinic quality aesthetic procedures to our model patients at a fraction of the price. If you’re interested in finding out more about our portfolio of procedures and aesthetics treatments, as well as available dates and locations, give us a call on 0203 514 8757 or email models@acquisitionaesthetics.co.uk
By Natasha Colyer
