How to Get Rid of Acne Scars
Do you want to get them treated and reduce their appearance?
Treatments will be most effective if you have macular acne scars, pigmented
scars or mild atrophic scars. The dermatologist will first assess your skin
photographically, in special lighting and a physical examination. After
assessing, they will make a treatment plan that will treat your scars and give
you satisfactory results. The dermatologist may recommend either laser or
non-laser treatments. Mild scars are not too severe and they may reduce to a
large extent with simple treatment and in some cases, they may even fade
completely. Mild scarring is not even visible at a social distance of 50
centimeters. Macular scars are a type of mild scar. In these scars, the skin
colour may change but there generally isn’t a lot of scarring, atrophic change
or pitting on the skin. Lasers can be used to treat acne scars but there are
some non-laser procedures as well that are used in combination for best
results. Let’s first discuss non-laser treatments. Chemical peels and TCA Cross
can be used to treat mild scarring. Traditional skin specialists use
microderabrasion or dermaroller. Nowadays, there is a procedure called dermapin
which is replacing dermaroller as it is safer and more effective than
dermaroller. Except for chemical peels and TCA cross, all the procedures can be
combined with PRP. This gives better results. Let’s talk about these procedures
in detail. The first treatment modality is chemical peels. Chemical peel is a
useful treatment for erythematous scars, hyperpigmented macular scars, atrophic
mild superficial scars, and grade I and II scars. Chemical peels exfoliate the
epidermis or the skin’s superficial layer, removes the dead skin cell layers
and stimulates collagen formation and skin rejuvenation. The peels improve the
depth and contour of the scar, and soften them. They improve the overall
texture, tone, and appearance of the skin. The peels use alpha hydroxy acid,
beta hydroxy acid like salicylic acid, mandelic acid, azelaic acid and mainly
glycolic acid. Chemical peels is safe for hyperpigmented scars and darker skin
types as well. After a chemical peel procedure, the superficial dead, thick
skin cells gets exfoliated and the thin layer peels off and the skin starts
getting rejuvenated. New delicate skin is generated which is sensitive to
ultraviolet rays. That is why proper skincare and strict photo protection like
broad-spectrum sunscreen, using a physical sunscreen is essential. This doesn’t
mean that you can’t step out at all, with the correct protection you can go
anywhere. This will also ensure that the results for the treatment last longer.
The next procedure is microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion is a non-surgical, minimally invasive procedure. During this procedure, a simple machine abrades the epidermis of the skin. In this procedure, the dead and dull skin layers are mechanically removed with a special applicator that has an abrasive surface. This is a safe procedure that works for all skin types and colours and shows immediate results. You may experience mild tenderness, swelling and some redness after this procedure but this disappears in a while. There is no need to worry. This is an office hour procedure, this means you can go for a party with glowing skin immediately after getting this procedure done. It is very important to use moisturiser and sunscreen after the procedure. The next procedure is microneedling, which is commonly called dermaroller. In this procedure, a handheld roller device that has multiple medical grade microneedles attached to one side is used. The dermaroller is rolled on the scarred skin in a star shaped direction. This causes micro injuries on the superficial papillary dermis and skin surface. These micro injuries help in stimulating collagen and rejuvenating skin. Basically these micro injuries start the healing cascade of the skin. In this healing process, the skin generates fibroblasts, elastin fibers, collagen and capillaries. This helps I reducing the appearance of scars. The dermaroller can be an uncomfortable procedure. In fact, it can be difficult to carry out this procedure in small areas like near the nose and so on. That is why the dermaroller is being replaced by the dermapin as it is a more advanced, accurate, safer and effective technique. The dermapin also aids collagen induction and skin rejuvenation. The dermapin is more effective than the dermaroller. In comparison with the dermaroller, the dermapin causes minimal damage to the skin surface, and there is lesser pain and bleeding as well. In this procedure, skin punctures are made vertically over the scars. The needles don’t bend which makes it easy to use in small, contoured areas. This procedure is quite fast, easy, safe and most comfortable and least painful for the patient. The next is the TCA cross which is specially done for icepick scars. TCA cross is generally used for deep scars and icepick scars in combination with other treatments. But in some cases it may be used for mild scars as well. In this procedure, droplets of TCS or trichloroacetic acid are placed on the scars. This causes chemical cauterization, the height of the scars is reduced, and ice pick scars are filled to a large extent. A healing balm is applied on the skin after the procedure.
The skin heals in 4-6 days after the procedure and the scabs also come off. The frosting that happens after the procedure reduces in 3-4 hours. This procedure increases collagen production and reorganises the collagen in the dermis. This heals the scars and reduces their appearance. There may be a slight burning sensation after this procedure. In some cases, there may be temporary redness or chances of pigmentation. If this procedure is not carried out by a trained dermatologist, it may result in widened scars, and spoil the skin. So always get any procedure done only from a trained professional. This procedure is cost-effective, minimally invasive and the healing time is also quite quick. The last procedure is Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy or PRP. This treatment is carried out in combination with the above mentioned procedures. PRP is not done with chemical peels or TCA cross. But PRP can be done in combination with microdermabrasion, dermaroller and dermapin. So let’s understand PRP a little better. In this procedure your blood is drawn and the red blood cells are separated from the plasma. Your plasma, which is concentrated with platelets, is injected back into your skin or rubbed into the channels created by dermaroller or dermapin. This plasma is rich in various body growth factors and proteins which stimulates the production of collagen in the skin and dermis. This reduces the appearance of acne scars. Because your own blood is used in this procedure, this procedure is safe and does not have any side effects. If your scars are mild, treat them immediately or at the earliest. Your treatment modality will be decided based on your skin type, acne scar type, and existing acne and on your expectations. The same treatments are not effective on all acne scar patients. In fact, the same treatments don’t give the same results in any two people because every individual has mixed scars. These mixed scars have different intensities, depths and different types and scar combinations. Each individuals skin may have a different response to each of the procedures. That is why the treatments are done in combination. The treatment for mild scars usually takes 3-6 months and treatments for patients with severe scars may take a year or year and a half. That is why you should be patient and give time to the treatment. Unfortunately, acne scars are permanent. Acne can be treated, can completely go, but scars caused by inflammatory acne will become permanent if not treated on time. That is why you should treat acne on time and if you get scars you should treat those also on time...
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