Acne Scars | Acne, Acne marks, acne scarring Guide

acne scar
Table of contents

1. Acne Scars
1.1 What causes acne scars?
1.2 How can we treat acne scars?
   1.2.1 Here are some commonly asked questions for acne scar treatment.
1.3 My 3 STEP ACNE SCAR Treatment
1.4 What to expect post laser resurfacing (CO2, Erbium) treatment? 

2. Eczema

1. Acne Scars

Acne scars on the face, chest and back are very common. Some 80% of people between ages 11 and 30 will get acne, and one out of five of those people will develop scars. Reducing the scars requires treatment either over-the-counter medications or one or more procedures performed by a dermatologist.

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Sensitive skin
Acne free skin
Pimples, Acne
No acne scars

1.1 What causes acne scars?

It is the result of the breakdown of collagen and elastin in your dermis. They frequently occur at sites which were acne prone in the past, namely your temples, cheeks, jawline etc.

1.2 How can we treat acne scars?

Acne scars are 3 dimensional, hence submitting a photo will not do justice to your scar. It requires real time examination (touch and animation), combined with lighting from various angles. That is why you may notice your scars differently in the bathroom mirror and in the dressing table mirror.

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1.2.1 Here are some commonly asked questions for acne scar treatment.

How can I remove the acne scars?

To fix acne scars require a combination approach. An assessment by your clinician regarding the size, depth and type of acne scars you have, and your expectation would guide your treatment protocol. That said, many would benefit from collagen stimulators, sculptra, profhilo, gouri as a foundation. Adding on medical peels like TCA cross and resurfacing laser for the overall refining of scars.

How long do acne scars last?

Acne scars progress with ageing. They never improve without skin treatment, and with UV rays, acne scars can only get deeper and wider with time.

How can I lighten acne scars naturally?

Use sunscreen. Clinically, sunscreen reduces contrast between acne scars and normal tissue. Avoid excessive sun exposure.

1.3 My 3 STEP ACNE SCAR Treatment

Step 1: Control acne | Topicals + laser kiv oral antibiotics

Achieving good control of your acne is the important principle towards helping your acne prone skin. This prevents new scars from forming, which is a big step forward. Don’t be too worried about your existing scars. Focus on prevention first.

Step 2: Treatment | High grade collagen boosting fillers to fill up your scars (and to promote collagen growth) | Radiesse, Profhilo,Gouri, Rejuran, Skinboosters

Below are the 4 main types.

Type 1: Ice pick scars |  can be treated with TCA CROSS, Fractional and Microneedling

Type 2: Rolling and box scars scars | are best treated with a combination of  RF Microneedling, fractional lasers and subcision

Type 3: Hypertrophic scars can be treated with

  1.  Microbotox
  2. Intralesional steroid

Type 4: Atrophic scars -| A combination approach is what I would recommend to improve the appearance of such scars. Here… Injection of profhilo and radiesse helps.

  1. Laser Resurfacing +/- RF microneedling 
  2. Subcision
  3. Dermal fillers – Skinboosters – Please refer to my Page on Skinboosters 
  4. Intralesional saline – ( Latest evidence from Journal of Dermatology Sept 2016)

What is the science behind acne scar treatment?
How can we treat chickenpox scars?

Collagen stimulation is the science behind this and takes at least 3 months, so I would suggest at least 4 monthly sessions of the above to kickstart your fibroblasts into action. Combination treatment is the key, as per the latest studies. But chicken pox scars are notoriously difficult to treat so we are aiming for 40% correction.


Step 3: Maintenance with lasers | ( to optimise collagen stimulation)

Videos

Here is how the procedures is done

Fractional skin rejuvenation with the MCL31 Dermablate erbium laser by Asclepion

1.4 What to expect post laser resurfacing (CO2, Erbium) treatment? 

On average, you can expect the following.

  1. Redness x 2 days
  2. Bronzing of skin x 2 – 3 days
  3. Flaking off – dead tissue x 2 days

Results are take time as it takes 3 months for collagen to grow. Hence it is important to know this is not a once-off treatment. Regular sessions are required.

Pesky pores… 

Please refer to our PORE page in menu.

2. Eczema

What is it? – A break in the skin barrier Who gets it? – Anyone, especially if you have a family history of atopy, asthma, rhinitis.

What triggers it? – A multitude of factors. Essentially, we divide them into internal vs external factors.
How can we treat it? – In cases of flare ups, the aim is to reduce inflammation, either thru steroids or immunomodulators, keep your skin layer moist and eliminate triggers.

Moisturizers can be divided into 2 forms, occlusives (which form a layer on your skin to reduce water loss) and humectants (which are substances that hold the water in the skin).

How can we prevent flares?
Identify your triggers, and keep your skin moist and protected from the sun.

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