What you need to know about acne scar treatment and prevention

Everyone gets their own fair share of having a cruel bout with acne at one point in their lives. There are different factors that could trigger acne. It can be an adverse reaction to medication, diet, hormonal changes, stress—the list could go on. While these pesky blemishes clear in the course of time with proper care, often they leave a remembrance on the skin—acne scars! Another hurdle to tackle, but there’s no need to stress! This article lists down the best acne scar treatments (https://ozheanzoey.com/acne-scar-treatments/) in Singapore as well as tips on how to prevent your skin from getting acne scars.

Understanding acne

Acne lesions occur in the skin as a result of inflammation caused by bacteria growth in the pores that get clogged with dead skin and oil. The acne that forms in the skin can be categorized into four types:

Cysts – This type of acne appears as lumps and are filled with pus that go deep into the skin. They are painful when touched and are prone to leave a scar once gone.
Nodules – Acne of this sort are solid lesions. Like cysts, they reach into the inner layers of the skin.
Papules – These are bumps on the skin that are pink or red in color. Like cysts, they are painful when touched.
Pustules – This kind of acne can be identified by the pus-filled surface and a red base.

The severity of your acne can be determined according to:

Mild acne – pustules; commonly known as whiteheads or blackheads
Moderate acne – pimples that are red with pus-filled centers (pustules) and swollen red pimples (papules)
Severe acne – lumps (cysts) or pus-filled solid lesions (nodules)

Acne scars form in the skin when the acne pore becomes swollen and ruptures through the pore’s wall. The skin’s immediate response to this injury is to fix the tissues that have been damaged. To repair the skin, new collagen fibers are produced and as the wound heals, the scars start to form. Acne scars can either create a dent in the skin or a raised bump when there is excessive formation of collagen in the skin.

Acne scars can either be:

Atrophic scars – boxcar scars, ice pick scars, rolling scars
Hypertrophic or keloid scars – raised scars

Thanks to the latest developments in skin care procedures and products, these dreaded acne scars can be treated and removed.

Acne scar treatments

Acne scars can be treated using different kinds of treatments.

Boxcar scars – dermal fillers, subcision, and skin resurfacing laser treatments
Ice pick scars – needle radiofrequency treatment
Rolling scars – dermal fillers, subcision, and skin resurfacing laser treatments
Hypertrophic scars – Botulinum and steroid injections

Among all the available lasers in the market, Pico laser technology has become the most sought after laser treatment for the removal of acne scars. Pico laser for acne treatment is non-invasive and non-surgical. The laser works by delivering multiple pulses of concentrated energy —minus the heat—targeting the treatment area and leaving the other parts of the skin that surround the acne scar undamaged. As the energy from the laser penetrates deep into the skin, it creates an injury which then brings about the body’s natural healing response. Formation of new collagen happens, which results in the skin’s repair.

To be more effective in tackling the various kinds of acne scar that you may have, Pico lasers can be used in combination with other lasers. A popular acne scar treatment done in Ozhean Zoey Medical and Aesthetic Clinic, called PICOMAX Laser Treatment, combines three powerful lasers:

Pro Yellow Laser – used for instant skin brightening
Advanced Nano Laser – used for instant skin whitening
Pico Laser – used for reducing the appearance of pores

Pico lasers can be expensive. One session alone may cost you around $350.

Not to worry—if you cannot afford to get a Pico laser treatment for your acne scars, then there are other options that you can turn to. These are:

Subcision + Dermal Filler Treatment
Radiofrequency Microneedling Treatment

The combination of a subcision and dermal filler procedure is best used for scars that have created an indentation in the skin. Specifically, boxcar scars and rolling scars. Subcision involves inserting the needle into the skin and cutting the scar tissue that tethers the skin down, creating the pit in the skin’s surface. Cutting the scar tissue allows the skin to be released and raised, reducing the shallow appearance of the scar. In order to level the skin on its surface, dermal fillers are injected into the scar to fill and raise it up. The appearance of the acne scar can be improved even more after this treatment with the use of Pico laser. When used on the target area treated with subcision and dermal filler, a Pico laser procedure allows skin resurfacing, leading to a skin that looks smoother on the surface.

Radiofrequency micro needling is another acne scar treatment that is commonly offered in aesthetic clinics. For this procedure, a hand-held device attached to a powerful radiofrequency equipment is used to transport energy-charged heat into the skin through gold-plated needles. The heat then generates the production of fresh collagen, which repairs the skin and reduces the presence of the acne scars. This procedure is best for ice pick scars.

Preventing acne scars

Not all acne will result in scarring. While there are treatments that can remove acne scars, it is always much better to take extra good care of your skin to prevent it from getting peppered with scars following a battle with acne. Here are some tips on how you can prevent acne scars from happening:

Get your acne treated as soon as possible. Without treatment, your acne can go from bad to worse in no time. If you are unsure of how to treat your acne, it is best to consult with a doctor right away—especially for moderate to severe acne.

Minimize swelling. Over-the-counter ointments or topical spot treatments are available to treat huge and inflamed pimples. Be sure to do a skin test first before applying directly to the blemish to ensure that you are not allergic to the medication that may cause further skin irritation. Avoid using harsh skincare products or makeup when you have an acne flare up.

Do not prick your pimples. Pricking your pimples is a top guarantee that you will have an acne scar as remembrance once your skin heals. This can also spread the bacteria onto the other parts of your skin, causing the development of more acne. Avoid doing this at all costs.

To know more about acne scar treatments, visit Ozhean Zoey Medical & Aesthetic Clinic.

Ozhean Zoey Medical & Aesthetic Clinic

111 Somerset Road

#04-10 Triple One Somerset

Singapore 238164

https://ozheanzoey.com

+65 6235 4534