After healing, an acne lesion can leave a red mark or a hyperpigmentation on the skin. This is just a post-inflammatory change and not actually a scar. The redness happens as the skin goes through healing, which usually takes 6-12 months. If no acne sprouts in that particular area, it can heal normally. If it is still present after a year or more, it may be considered a permanent scar.
Acne scars actually are the effects of 2 types of response of the tissues to acne:
(1) Increase of tissue formation
(2) Tissue loss
Acne Scars that are caused by tissue formation are actually the result of a buildup of collagen in the skin. These are most commonly called keloids. Keloids tend to be genetic while scars that are caused by tissue loss are the most common type of acne scars.
What Can Help?
Tretinoin can help heal scars. It speeds up the healing and remodeling of the skin. It also assists in the healing of hyperpigmentations. Aplha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Beta-Hydroxy Acid (BHA) also helps the remodeling process of the skin. As long as it is appropriately formulated and have the right concentration with the right pH, it will be very effective.
Also, a person should seek treatment for scars either to remove or lighten them. Or maybe the person can include it in the overall procedure of skin rejuvenation.
It is very important for both the patient and the dermatologist to discuss the procedures as to the treatment of acne scars. Choosing a skin rejuvenation process is based partly on the result that the patient wants to accomplish. These are just some of the procedures that dermatologists use to treat acne scars:
1. Chemical peel can treat small to large acne scars and can also be effective when it comes to removing blackheads and whiteheads. Repeated peeling is recommended to improve some extensive or deep scars.
2. Laser or resurfacing of scars is a relatively new technology but can only be effective in some patients. It can be used to treat scars that are complex in nature.
3. Dermabrasion can reach deeper skin layers than a chemical peel.
4. Excision surgery can remove the affected entirely.
5. Soft-tissue augmentation can treat scars that are caused by tissue loss. It involves injections of collagen under the scars which raises them to bring it to the surface.
6. Intralesional steroid injection for keloids on the other hand is a procedure where direct injection is done into the keloid acne scars. It can be mixed with surgery to reduce scar size. This can only be done by a dermatologic surgeon.
It is a good thing that acne scars can be effectively treated nowadays. Now, you can say goodbye to a life with acne.
