Acne commonly impacts people in their teens and 20s, but people older than this in their 30s and 40s can still suffer from acne breakouts occasionally. The acne itself is difficult enough to deal with, and the resulting acne spots or scars afterward can be a constant reminder of your breakouts. According to DermNet NZ, scarring refers to the “fibrous process in which new collagen is laid down to heal a full-thickness injury.” The good news is there are some effective acne scar revision treatment options available to help you take control of your acne scars, which we’ve explained for you here.
What Causes Acne To Turn Into Scars?
It’s first important to understand why your acne breakouts turned into scars in the first place. Acne develops when skin pores and hair follicles get clogged with either too many oils or extra dead skin cells. Bacteria can get trapped inside the pores and cause some inflammation, otherwise known as acne. When you pick at the acne, or if the acne is deep in the layers of the skin, it could become even more inflamed and lead to a higher risk of scarring. The acne scarring process is part of the healing process, even though it’s unsightly to look at.
Types Of Acne Scars You May Have
You may experience several different types of acne scars, depending on how severe your acne was. And in many situations, you could have more than one type, according to Cleveland Clinic. Some of the most common types include:
- Boxcar scars - these are typically shaped like an oval or round and look like craters on the skin.
- Rolling scars - these usually have an uneven appearance because of bands of scar tissue that have developed under the skin.
- Ice pick scars - pitted vertically with steep edges, these are the most common types of scars related to acne.
- Keloid scars - these are the result of overgrown scar tissue that could be raised, irregularly shaped, and might grow over time.
- Hypertrophic scars - these can be more irritating than other scars since they are usually filled with excessive collagen.
- Contracture scars - these are usually found after the most serious acne breakouts or other injuries, and your movements may be restricted because of the scar.
Chemical Peel For Acne Scars
Whether your acne scars have just developed or if you’ve dealt with them for years, a chemical peel can be a great option to remove them. The process works by applying a chemical solution to the skin, which creates an exfoliation process to remove dead and damaged layers of skin and reveal healthier and smoother skin underneath. The application of a chemical peel for acne scars usually takes no more than 30 minutes and your skin will peel for around 12 days. You can get a chemical peel for acne scars up to four weeks apart in some cases, but your medical professional can determine exactly how many you need.
There are three types of chemical peels available, depending on the severity of your scars. A light chemical peel treats the outer layer of the skin by creating a gentle exfoliation process. A medium chemical peel goes a little deeper to help treat some of the more severe scars. A deep chemical peel can improve the most serious scars, but it’s typically not used much in favor of acne scar laser treatments.
Improve Your Skin With Acne Scar Laser Treatments
Anyone looking for an acne scar revision treatment that will continue improving your skin over time should look closely at acne scar laser treatments. The process works by a medical professional sending a laser beam deep through the layers of the skin, which creates tiny columns in the skin. At that point, the skin will naturally work to repair those columns by pushing out the old and damaged skin and replacing it with new and fresh skin. The surrounding skin is not impacted at all, so the healing process is simple for most people. And the best part about acne scar laser treatments is the healing process increases elastin and collagen production so your skin will continue looking better for weeks and months afterward.
Some people are so pleased with the results of acne scar laser treatments that they decide they don’t need any further treatments after the first one. Others might need several treatments across months or years before they get complete control of their acne scars. Regardless of the situation, Skin Deep Laser Services is here to help. We offer top-of-the-line technology, and you can have peace of mind knowing our medical professionals are qualified and certified to administer treatments.
During your initial consultation, we will evaluate your skin and make recommendations based on your goals, medical history, budget, and other factors. We want to ensure you are comfortable with any treatment we suggest and we are always willing to answer any questions you might have. If you’ve been dealing with acne or the resulting acne scars and are ready to have flawless skin again, contact us today to schedule a free consultation to see how it can become a reality.