Scars
Acne or surgical scar improvement
The commonest cause of scars is from previous acne but other causes include previous surgery. Any scar can be a focus of loss of confidence.
Acne scarring can have a particularly negative impact on a person as they have had the initial skin problem and having got rid of that they are left with the scarring as a permanent reminder.
Scars are composed of collagen, naturally produced by the skin to repair itself but sometimes, intense inflammation can leave a scar. Acne scars are typically indented because of collagen loss as a result of intense inflammation. This can happen even without picking especially in cystic acne.
TYPES OF ACNE SCARS
Acne scars can be varied and multiple types may be present in the same individual.
Ice pick: Deep, narrow, and pitted.
Boxcar: Broad depressions with sharply defined edges.
Rolling: Broad depressions with sloping edges giving the skin a lumpy appearance.
Hypertrophic: Raised scars.
People with dark skin tones may have hyper-pigmentation while people with lighter tones tend to get redness.
Today’s cosmetic treatments can greatly improve the appearance of scars.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes them worse?
Sun exposure: Exposing scarred skin to the sun can have two effects. It may cause the scars to go darker as UV radiation stimulates the pigment producing cells that then produce more melanin and slow down the healing process by its damaging action on collagen. It is for that reason that I always impress on my clients the importance of using a sunscreen especially when they are outdoors.
Picking and squeezing: The skin in a scar has undergone intense inflammation. Picking the scar will cause further inflammation and make it worse. Squeezing a spot causes bacteria to filter deeper into the skin, resulting in more collagen damage. So as I always say, leave it alone!
What makes them better?
Mild scarring can be treated with mild steroid to reduce inflammation and lightening agents can be applied to reduce pigmentation. Unfortunately, there are no effective treatments in the NHS to correct significant scarring.
The Treatment options I offer
SkinPen Microneedling
A course of SkinPen Microneedling improves the appearance of scars either from previous acne or surgery.
Polynucleotides
Once injected they trigger a wound healing response resulting in improvement of scar tissue.
Because it is important that your particular problem is identified correctly, I would encourage you to arrange a consultation at Skin Enhance and Wellness for an in-depth analysis of your skin and devise a customised treatment plan, based on your requirements.
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