There are many sleepless nights lost on acne and the scars. Who gets acne, and who’s prone to post acne scars. This has been discussed earlier. Generally people get confused by acne and pimples. So, let’s get this clear that Acne and pimples are synonymous, pimple is a common word, in layman’s language, whereas acne is a medical term, used by doctors and health professionals, but they both mean the same thing. The words acne and pimples have got nothing to do with severity. As dermatologists we grade the acne also known as pimples, from grade 1 to grade 4, depending on many factors. So please be clear that acne or pimples, means the same. They can leave scars, the scars left behind by grade 1 or grade 2 acne are usually easy to treat and can go away on their own by just treating the acne, whereas the scars left behind by grade 3 or 4 are more difficult to treat, may take a long time to heal, will definitely need early treatment and despite the best efforts and treatment, may leave behind some scars.
Types of Acne Scars
The scar types vary from the severity of the acne and also depends on the genetic constitution. Sometimes even mild to moderate acne can lead to difficult to treat scars.
The acne or pimple scars (acne or pimples scars are one and the same as discussed above) are of different types, as mentioned below. The pimple or acne scars can be of the following types depending they are atrophic or hypertrophic:
- Ice pick – are small atrophic scars, literally look like ice picks, these are the most difficult to treat
- Boxcar – these are box like depressions on the skin, with well defined margins
- Rolling scars – are also atrophic scars but with sloping margins.
- Hypertrophic and Keloid scars – these are unlike atrophic scars, these are thick and raised above the skin surface, usually treated with intra lesional injections
- And post inflammatory pigmentation – the acne may heal with slight pigmentation, which is comparatively easy to treat. And these dark spots, usually heal by themselves over a period of time, if we follow a good daily skin care routine.
Cause:
The most common cause of acne or pimple scars is –
- The inflammatory process, more the inflammation, more will be the scarring. It’s commonly seen in grade 3 and 4 types of acne, where the pimples are pustular and nodulo cystic type. Certain people are more prone to inflammation because of their genes.
- When we pick/squeeze or pop the pimples, as this leads to bursting of the pimple and leads to spilling of the inflammatory material into the deeper surrounding tissue, leading to inflammation and scarring
- Delay in starting the treatment for acne, this leads to more inflammation and scarring.
- Genetic predisposition
Treatment for Acne Scars
It is important to keep in mind that every individual’s skin is unique and the treatment approach for acne scars may vary based on the severity and type of scars. Therefore, it is important to consult a dermatologist to determine the best course of treatment for you.
Additionally, it’s important to have realistic expectations from the treatment. Most treatments require multiple sessions for best results and some scars may be difficult to fully eliminate, but the improvement can be significant.
The different treatment options are:
➡️ Various Lasers like CO2, Erbium Glass, Fraxel, Laser Genesis
➡️ Microneedling with serum infusion
➡️ Chemical Peels
➡️ Fillers
Let’s discuss it in more detail:
1. Preventive Tips
Follow a good skin care routine, on the basis of your skin type. Use appropriate skin care products suited for your skin.
The first and foremost is to treat these pimples as early as possible, so that the scars do not form. Follow the treatment religiously, as regular treatment is the only way to good outcome.
Do not touch or squeeze the pimples, this leads to damage to the tissue beneath and this leads to permanent scars.
2. Treatment For Scars
If despite all your best efforts scars have developed, no need to despair. With the newer technological advances, we have different treatment options available for scars swap BTC on CoinPal. Depending on the type of scars, your doctor will choose one of the following options for you.
3. Chemical Peeling
Different chemicals like alpha hydroxy/beta hydroxy/lactic acid and many more are used in different combinations and formulations are used to treat early stage of scarring and post acne pigmentation.
4. Laser/Fractional Lasers
Lasers have revolutionized the treatment for acne scars. There are different lasers available, but the most commonly used and effective are CO2 and Erbium YAG lasers. These are painless procedures with best results and the results stay.
5. Needling
This is another technique, where with the help of a Derma roller(which comprises of series of fine sharp needles.
6. Fillers
The fillers are injected into the scars, which fill up the area and thus correct the deep scars.
7. Combined Therapy
Here a combination of the above mentioned procedures are done to get the optimum results.
No one single treatment works, it’s a combination of different treatments, which have been listed above. The choice of treatment also depends upon the different type of acne scars and the severity and depth of the scars. Your dermatologist will assess the scar type and grade them, then decide on the various treatment options. It is also important to continue with a good skin care routine even after the treatment to maintain the results.
Doctor’s Opinion
In my experience the best results are with the CO2 laser for the ice pick, boxscars, but this particular treatment has a downtime of a week. Post CO2 laser, there’s redness and swelling on the face for 3-5 days and you have to avoid sun exposure for a minimum of 5 days and after that too, sun protection with a good sunscreen with a SPF of 30-50 is essential. The result outcome with the other laser treatments and microneedling is quite satisfactory. Your dermatologist will explain to you pre procedure and post procedure skin care, which is an essential step of treatment. There are no shortcuts, we don’t have any magic wands to give instant results. Patience is very essential for good results, it also matters your trust and faith in your doctor.
Bonus Tip: Please do not try any home remedies for treating acne scars, as these do not work and what I have observed in my experience of around 25 years is that they may cause more harm than good. Rather follow a good daily skin care routine by your dermatologist to stop acne and prevent the scar formation.
Do discuss all details with your Skin Specialist in Ludhiana any doubts, any questions, any queries, all need to be clarified, this will help you understand your treatment better and make you confident too. Do not shy away from discussing.
Key Takeaway:
My take away message is
???? Don’t delay the treatment of pimples also known as acne, no acne means no scars
???? Don’t delay the treatment of the scars, if once formed, it’s difficult to treat and give good results when the scars have been present for a long time.
???? Regular treatment with regular follow ups is key to good results
???? Be patient (don’t you think that’s why a patient is called a patient) Patience is the key to a good treatment outcome.
It is important to keep in mind that every individual’s skin is unique and the treatment approach for scars may vary based on the severity and type of scars. Therefore, it is important to consult a dermatologist to determine the best course of treatment for you.
Additionally, it’s important to have realistic expectations from the treatment. Most treatments require multiple sessions for best results and some scars may be difficult to fully eliminate, but the improvement can be significant.
Now you don’t have to hide your face, you now can do away with these bothersome scars. Contact us now and consult with the best Dermatologist in Ludhiana.