Acne scars that develop on the back, chest, and face are very common. In fact, a staggering 80 percent of those between 11 and 30 will get acne. What’s unfortunate however is at least five out of those people will develop acne scars. In most cases, acne scar treatment will require procedures done by a dermatologist.
Causes of Acne
Acne develops when oils, dead skin, and bacteria fill up the pores and inflames it. The pores are the tiny openings in your skin. At least 40,000 cells will fall off the skin hourly. However, some of those dead cells can end up clogging the pores. At times, the clogged pores can result in blackheads or whiteheads.
In other cases, the pores can also become very inflamed and can turn into other types of acne. Acne is considered the most common skin condition worldwide. Teenagers are very susceptible to acne because of their changing hormones. Adults on the other hand develop acne due to stress, and birth control hormones, among other reasons.
Different Types of Acne
Acne can come in various forms. Unfortunately some types can lead to scarring and will require acne scar treatment. The different types of acne include:
- This type lies deep within the skin. They are full of pus and can be very painful. Cysts are also the type that will lead to scarring.
- These are characterized by red and pink bumps that can hurt when touched.
- These pus-filled lesions are white or red at the base and have a yellow top.
Different Types of Acne Scars
Below are the different types of acne scars:
- Ice Pick. As the name implies, this type resembles the ice pick. It has a wide hole at the top and narrows to a point and goes deeper into the skin. This indentation is quite common. Unfortunately, this is one of the most difficult scars to heal. They are commonly found in the upper cheeks and the forehead where there is thinner skin.
- These are indents that come with sharper edges that go down deep in the skin. Boxcar scars are quite common in the jaw and the lower cheeks.
- These scars often develop in the jaw and cheeks where the skin is thicker. The indents also come with sloping edges. This creates the appearance of wavy and uneven skin.
Treatment Options for Acne Scars
There are several options available that can help improve the appearance of acne scars. It is possible that two or more types of procedures will be combined to achieve the desired result.
- Chemical Peels. This treatment involves the use of special chemicals to remove the old skin’s top layer. When the skin’s top layer is removed, a smoother one can grow.
- This involves removing the skin’s top layers. This can be similar to a sander removing a plank of wood’s top layers.
- This treatment is similar to dermabrasion. This option uses a special machine to remove the skin’s upper layer.
- Laser Resurfacing. This treatment option uses heat to reach the scarred collagen found under the skin. This process banks on the body’s wound healing response to promote the development of healthy and new collagen. There are two types of laser resurfacing options — non-ablative and ablative. Your dermatologist can help you determine the best laser resurfacing option for you based on the nature of your acne scars and your skin type.
- Dermal Fillers. This treatment involves using a substance that is injected under the depressed scar to lift the skin upward.
- This technique involves cutting the skin and removing the acne scar. The wound is then stitched to close it.
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