Get Rid of Acne Scars: Prevention and Treatment Options for Healthy Skin

Pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, pustules, and other similar breakouts on the skin are called acne. This skin condition is common among teenagers and adults. However, individuals with acne do not necessarily suffer from acne scars.

The scars are caused by inflammation of acne blemishes, leaving dark spots or pigmentation. In some cases, these scars typically disappear in a few days or weeks. However, some acne scars last for years and require dermatological treatment. Instances of some of the common and effective dermatological acne scar treatment in Delhi are topical medication, chemical peels, microneedling, etc. These treatments are recommended by your dermatologist based on your skin type, age, and type of acne scars. The dermatologist will provide a treatment plan accordingly.

Types of Acne Scars

Acne scars can be categorised into three categories, as different forms of acne leave different types of scars.

Atrophic Scars

Atrophic scars are tiny indentations on the skin and appear when the body doesn’t produce enough fibroblasts when healing acne. These are further divided into the following:

• Icepick: These are small scars that look like little picks – a bit wide at the top and narrow as they go deep into the skin.
• Rolling: These have unclear edges and make the skin look undulating.
• Boxcar: These are larger scars with clearly defined edges.

Hypertrophic Scars

Hypertrophic scars are raised and look like bumps or ridges above the skin’s surface. These are caused when the body produces too many fibroblasts to heal the acne wound.

Keloid Scars

Keloids are similar to hypertrophic scars and may have hyperpigmentation. They are also thicker and can be painful or itchy. Most keloid scars appear in red, pinkish, or brown colors.

Dermatological Treatments for Acne Scars

Over-the-counter treatments like scar removal creams and lotions are not always effective on deep-seated stubborn acne scars. In fact, in some cases, these products might further damage your skin. The safest choice to treat acne scars is to consult a dermatologist and ask for a personalized prescription.

• Topical Applications

Topical applications are effective on mild acne scars or temporary ones. These cannot fill atrophic scars or suppress hypertrophic scars but can lighten blemishes and dark spots over time.

A few active ingredients that can help reduce acne scars are listed below:

• Salicylic Acid: It removes dead skin cells, dirt, etc., from the skin’s surface and cleans the pores to reduce scars.
• Retinoids: It reduces acne lesions and blocks inflammation. They promote skin regeneration and can lighten the skin tone. However, retinoids can increase skin sensitivity to sunlight.
• Lactic Acid: It is good for exfoliation and removes dead skin cells to make the skin appear smoother, lighter, and softer.
• Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs): AHAs promote skin cell generation and renewal and reduce acne scars, as well as hyperpigmentation. However, high concentrations of AHAs can cause skin irritation and a burning sensation.

The dermatologist will recommend a medically approved topical medication with the right combination of active ingredients for safe usage, preventing any side effects.

• Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are made of different active ingredients and can be used as a treatment method for various skin concerns. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) chemical peels are effective for treating acne scars compared to other ingredients. Chemical peels can go deep into the skin’s layers to remove the topmost layers, thus promoting the body to heal the wound by stimulating collagen production. Hypertrophic scars can be treated with chemical peels. However, you will need a few sessions to see definite results.

• Steroid Injections

Steroids are injected into hypertrophic scars to remove them and promote healing. Steroids also improve overall skin health but may result in side effects and should not be used often.

• Laser Resurfacing

Laser treatment for acne scars is another effective way to treat acne scars for people with a lighter skin tone. The laser light targets the skin’s surface and removes it to promote healing and collagen production. It has a faster recovery and healing time but is not suitable if you have persistent acne breakouts.

• Microneedling

Microneedling is done using a medical device with numerous tiny needle-like tips that puncture into the skin’s layers. It is used to treat atrophic scars by triggering the body to produce more collagen and fill the indentations. The process can be a little painful and result in redness, swelling, bruising, etc. It is combined with other treatments to improve the success rate.

• Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are used to treat rolling and boxcar scars by filling the indentations. Various types of dermal filler injections are used to suit the intensity of acne scars. Hyaluronic acid, collagen-based fillers, silicon, Botox, polymethylmethacrylate, polyacrylamide, etc., are some examples. Depending on the dermal filler, you may need maintenance sessions every few months or years.

• Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion is the process of sanding the skin’s topmost layers using a special device. This treatment is suited for severe acne scars that cover a larger surface area. Atrophic scars that are not too deep can be eliminated, while the deeper ones might appear less indented over time. However, dermabrasion can also lead to scarring.

• Surgery (Punch Excision)

Punch excision is where the individual acne scars are cut and repaired through skin grafting or stitching to heal the wound. It is recommended only in some conditions.

How to Prevent Acne Scars?

Though you cannot entirely prevent acne scars, you can reduce the risk of scarring by taking a few precautions such as:

• Apply sunscreen every day and multiple times a day when exposed to direct sunlight.
• Don’t pick or squeeze pimples, as this leads to dark spots and scarring if the body generates less or excess collagen and melanin.
• Follow a good skincare routine to cleanse, exfoliate, and nourish the skin.
• Don’t over-exfoliate, as it can aggravate acne and cause more pimples.
• Reduce acne inflammation using an ice pack or cooling gel to soothe the skin.

Consult the award-winning dermatologist at Mehektagul Dermaclinic to understand how untreated acne can result in scars and get a tailored Advanced Acne Scar Solutions Delhi that addresses the root cause of the problem. Have smoother, softer, and more youthful-looking skin by getting rid of acne scars with the best treatment options for acne scar removal in Delhi.