Acne Scar Treatment : Laser Removal for Acne Scars

What Are Acne Scars and How to Treat it?

In more severe cases of nodular acne where larger infections occur in the deeper layer of the skin, skin tissue loss and permanent scarring can happen. Squeezing and picking whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples can also cause deeper infection and injury to the skin as well as damage the healthy skin that surrounds it, causing scarring.

To put it simply, scars are the result of an injury to the skin tissue. On many occasions, the damaged tissue can never return to its former condition when the infection subsides.

Acne scars are not to be confused with Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH), which refer to the brown dark marks that are left behind after a pimple heals. These marks are often mistaken for scars because they can last for months or even years before they fade. Enquire with us for more information on hyperpigmentation and treatment options.

Our Acne Scar Treatment.

Perhaps the most difficult issue to deal with existing or past acne conditions or occasional blemishes is the pitting and discoloration that seem to take forever to go away.

At our clinic, we understand the skin’s natural healing process. Experience customized programmes with an emphasis on targeted aesthetic treatments.

Effective Acne Scar Treatment For Your Skin

Depending on the type of acne scars you have, our doctor may suggest a combination of different acne scar removal options. These may include lasers and injectables.

1. Ice-Pick Acne Scar Treatments

As the name suggests, ice-pick scars appear to be deep and narrow, and extend into the dermis layer of the skin. Usually found on the nose and cheek areas, they are commonly mistaken as enlarged pores.

Treatments: The appearance of ice-pick scars can be improved with fractional ablative scar laser treatment such as Er:YAG laser. Dynamis Resurfacing Laser is using an Er:YAG laser technology. This treatment is an effective laser treatment for acne scars because the penetration depth into the skin is more easily controlled with a laser than with other methods.

2. Boxcar Acne Scar Treatments

Boxcar scars are another type of scar which are round or oval in shape with steep edges. Other than acne, chickenpox infection is another common cause of boxcar scars. They are usually found on the temples and cheeks.

Treatments: Same as the ice-pick scars, they can be improved with a resurfacing scar laser treatment. Platelet Rich Plasma and polynucleotides such as Plinest and Rejuran Healer are also effective. These treatments can be combined with lasers for even better results.

3. Rolling Acne Scar Treatments

Rolling scars are the most common type of acne scars that we are treating. These scars are usually shallow, with rolling edges – they appear to have a “wave-like” pattern.

Treatments: Milder cases can be treated with laser resurfacing with Er:YAG or Microneedling. However, those deeper and larger scars might need a subcision treatment to enhance the resurfacing effect of the laser. Platelet Rich Plasma and polynucleotides such as Plinest and Rejuran Healer are good alternative treatments and can be combined with lasers for even better results.

Scars

Result of treating acne scars with Er:YAG laser
Pictures courtesy of Fotona

4. Hypertrophic Scarring / Keloid Scar Treatments

Hypertrophic scars are raised scars with firm textures and typically extend beyond the original size of the wound. They are commonly found below the neck on body areas such as the back, chest and arms. They are less frequently found on the face and neck area.

Treatments: Intralesional cortisone (a type of steroid which is safe for the skin) injections help interrupt the inflammatory response to reduce the scar. This can be coupled with a topical silicone gel for better treatment outcomes.