Dealing with acne can be tough. It’s not just the frustration of having visible acne, but the aftermath in the form of scars and dark spots that can stick around.
Let’s talk about acne scarring. People often call our clinic about their acne “scarring,” but what they usually mean is those dark spots left from a breakout. Technically, it’s called hyperpigmentation or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
Now, real scarring is different. It’s marks on the skin that create pits or depressions. Fixing this needs serious medical help, so if you’re dealing with scars, talk to your doctor. Face Reality Acne Clinic doesn’t handle scar treatments. There are different types of acne scars:
- Icepick Scars: Small, but like an ice pick pressed into the skin, can be shallow or deep.
- Box Scars: Similar to chickenpox scars, rounded edges, can be small or large, fairly deep.
- Rolling Scars: Smooth indentations in the skin, can be deep or shallow, usually more shallow.
- Hypertrophic Scars (Keloids): Extra scar tissue growth, needs a serious medical approach.
For more serious cases, doctors use:
- SUBCISION (Subcutaneous Incision): Lifting depressed scars to the surface using a tiny scalpel or needle.
- TCA CROSS (Chemical Reconstruction of Skin Scars): Spot-treating scars with trichloroacetic acid, making the scar rise and close.
- FILLERS: Injecting Restylane® or silicone into scars for a smoother look, but it’s temporary.
- SCAR EXCISION (Punch Excision): Cutting out the scar and stitching the skin edges, good for deep scars.
- PUNCH ELEVATION: Lifting the base of the scar to the skin surface, minimizing risks.
Exploring Laser Skin Resurfacing
- ABLATIVE LASERS: Removing skin layers with lasers, and smoothing scars. Takes time to recover.
- NONABLATIVE LASERS: Stimulating collagen growth without removing skin layers.
- DERMABRASION: Sanding the skin to improve its appearance. Takes a few weeks to recover.
Understanding these treatments can help you choose what’s right for you.