Acne scars are the marks left behind by lesions that had not healed or had become inflamed. Their size, frequency and type depend on various genetic factors, which are particular to every person. Some persons are more likely to see scars forming on their skin, due to their heritage and skin colour. This is why many people want to make sure their lesions will heal properly.
There are only two types of acne scars. The simplest scar is nothing more than a spot of skin bearing a brown, pink or purple colour, testimony to the fact that a pimple had been there. The second type is called the ice pick scar and it is a small hole in the skin where the lesion used to be. Scars are usually left behind only by inflamed lesions, such as pustules, nodules or cysts. However, squeezing open a comedo could result in an inflamed lesion and a scar.
Pigmented scars are the result of the skin’s own process of rebuilding the natural colour in the healing tissue. The concentration of pigment can be lowered with various types of treatments, such as bleaching creams, lotions or laser surgery. The choice of over-the-counter products should depend on the type and severity of your acne. If you are not sure what to choose, talk to a dermatologist.
Mild acne scars take up to six weeks to vanish. If the over-the-counter products don’t work, talk to your doctor again and he or she will recommend you a stronger treatment for scars, possibly even creams based on retinoids. This is done to prevent acne flare-ups and to promote the shedding of skin cells in and around the scars.
The next level in acne scar treatment is the chemical peeling of your skin. lycolic, salicylic or lactic acid is used to peel away the damaged top layer of the skin and trigger the formation of a new and smoother layer. This procedure can be beneficial even for active acne. Peels are usually performed over a period of weeks or months and are mostly effective against pigmented scars.
The second type of acne scars is more commonly treated with dermabrasion or laser resurfacing. Dermabrasion means that the top layer of the skin is removed with the help of a high-speed rotary wire brush or diamond-coated stone. This procedure requires more than one session for each scar and has the downside of not removing the scar at all. It simply makes it less visible.
A better treatment for scars is the laser resurfacing of the skin. Similar to the effect of sun exposure, doctors use the concentrated light of the laser beam to burn off a smaller or bigger part of the top layer of the skin. Many dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons recommend this procedure over dermabrasion.
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