What's worse than having a pimpled past are the acne scars that it left behind.
Credit: Hopkins Medicine
Most of us think that acne scars are just acne scars but little do we know that they come in different shapes and sizes. Regardless of whether your acne scars are flat, raised, or depressed, the advancement in technology gave us hope and there are treatments tailored especially for them.
Credit: Central Texas Dermatology
There are 5 common types of acne scars and since they are inherently different, it only made sense that they require different types of treatments. Let's take a look at the 5 different types of acne scars and let Dr. Louis Loo from iAesthetics advise us on the treatments that are available to for them.
1. Ice pick scars
Credit: Skinny Med Spa
These scars are narrow and deep depressions on your skin, just like how you will imagine your skin to look if you poke it with an ice pick. They are usually the end product of cystic acne and it happens when our body did not produce enough collagen to repair our skin after the injury (acne), leaving a "hole" behind.
- Treatment:
Ice pick scars require several sessions of specific treatments such as subcisions and TCA cross peel followed by laser resurfacing. Subcision is a dermato-microsurgical technique to release dense fibrous tissues that hold the depressed scars down. TCA cross is the deep applications of micro drops of 100% TCA granulating liquid into the pits of deep pitted scars, thereby closing the pits when the tissues repair.
2. Boxcar scars
Credit: Facing Acne
Boxcar scars are also depressions, but unlike the ice pick scars that are deep and narrow, they are broader and shallower and have sharp edges, and are usually the results of inflammatory acne.
- Treatment:
Boxcars can benefit from canula subcision technique, chemical peels, and various resurfacing lasers. The latest scar resurfacing laser is the Fotona Starwalker High power Pico cum long pulse Q Switch Fractional laser. It is able to treat stubborn and difficult acne scars with fewer sessions compared to traditional resurfacing scar lasers like the CO2 and the Erbium lasers. It also has the benefit of skin tightening and rejuvenation.
3. Rolling scars
Credit: Andrea Catton
Rolling scars look like little waves on your skin, with shallow depressions and smooth edges. Our skin loses elasticity and starts to sag as we age and with that, rolling scars tend to look worse with age.
- Treatment:
Rolling scars can benefit from canula subcision technique, chemical peels, and various resurfacing lasers. Micro fillers in the form of skin boosters (Liquid HA) can also help lift the scars and hydrate the skin to make scars less obvious. The latest scar resurfacing laser is the Fotona Starwalker High power Pico cum long pulse Q Switch Fractional laser. It is able to treat stubborn and difficult acne scars with fewer sessions compared to traditional resurfacing scar lasers like the CO2 and the Erbium lasers. It also has the benefit of skin tightening and rejuvenation.
4. Hypertrophic (Keloids)
Credit: Scar Formula
Unlike the three types of scars mentioned above, keloids are raised scars that are reddish or pinkish in colour, and they may feel tender to touch. They usually form as a response to a wound, the acne in this case. Our skin's fibrous tissue grows over the wound in an attempt to protect the skin and when excessive growth occurs, a keloid is formed.
- Treatment:
Keloid scars can be treated with micro-injections of steroid and appropriate resurfacing lasers.
5. Hyperpigmentation
Credit: Best Hyperpigmentation Cream
When a dark mark is left on your skin after your acne heals, we call that the hyperpigmentation. Well, technically, it is not a scar because those are just excessive melanin deposited on the skin following an inflammation. They may appear as blotches or just small marks of discolouration on our skin.
- Treatment:
Blemishes left behind by acne can be effectively treated with appropriate chemical peels, toning lasers, and sunblock applications. The latest Pico cum High energy Q Switch Fotona Starwalker laser can also help lighten blemishes and even out skin tone. It is a comfortable treatment with minimal or no downtime.
Book an appointment with iAesthetics for a consultation with Dr. Louis Loo to determine which type of acne scarring you are suffering from and let him advise you on the type of treatments that are suitable for you.
iAesthetics is currently having Acne Scar Resurfacing Programme at $199 net.
It includes the following:
1 x Comprehensive Acne Scar Consultation with Doctor
1 x Acne Resurfacing Treatment
1 x Post-treatment Follow Up Session
Learn more
iAesthetics
1 Northpoint Drive, Northpoint City
#B1-176 (South Wing)
Singapore 768019
Opening Hours:
Mon – Fri: 11:00AM - 9:00PM
Sat: 10:00AM-6:00PM
Sun: 11:00AM-6:00PM
Tel: 6254 1622 Fax: 6254 3367
For bookings & general enquiries: https://www.iaesthetics.com.sg/contact-us
Website: iAesthetics