How to Reduce Acne Scars and Improve Skin Tone?

Acne affects many people at some point, though it is usually seen more in teenagers and people with hormonal changes. In many cases, acne disappears over the years. However, the most significant side effect of acne is scars. People with moderate to severe acne can end up with permanent scars. This can affect one’s self-confidence and make one seem more conscious of one's appearance.

Fortunately, one can reduce the scars and improve the skin tone by consulting a dermatologist and opting for an acne scar treatment. Let’s learn about acne scars, their types, and the effective acne scar treatment in Delhi. Start by learning the types of acne scars.

Types of Acne Scars 

Acne appears when the skin pores and hair follicles are clogged with dirt, oil, and keratin. This leads to bacterial growth and causes inflammation. Some acne is painful and is filled with pus. Once the raised bumps disappear, they can leave a brown mark on the skin. This mark disappears in a few days or weeks.

However, that’s not always the case. Acne-like nodules and cysts can leave permanent scars after healing. Scars also appear when one picks or pops the acne bumps. Generally, acne scars are categorized into the following types:

Atrophic Scars

Atrophic scars are shallow depressions on the skin caused by cystic acne. Depending on the scar’s appearance and personal acne history, they are further classified into three types.

• Boxcar Scars

Boxcar scars look like tiny boxes with defined edges and can be red and itchy. They appear on areas where the skin is relatively thick, like the jaw, chin, and lower parts of the cheeks. Boxcar scars are caused by severe acne, chickenpox, and varicella.

• Ice Pick Scars

As the name suggests, ice-pick scars look like ice picks, with narrow edges but deep indentations. They appear mainly on the cheeks and can be hard to treat. Multiple treatment sessions are necessary to completely clear ice-pick scars from the skin.

• Rolling Scars

Rolling scars are uneven in depth, size, and shape. Their indefinite design makes the skin look uneven and bumpy in the affected areas. The scars can be reddish or have the same skin tone as the rest of the face.

Hypertrophic and Keloid Scars

Hypertrophic scars are raised bumps and the opposite of atrophic scars. These are caused by excess build-up of scar tissue at the acne spots. Keloid scars are similar to hypertrophic scars but larger. While hypertrophic scars are the same size as acne, keloid scars grow beyond the edges of acne. These appear on the jawline, back, shoulders, and chest. Moreover, people with a darker skin tone are at a higher risk of having keloid scars.

Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation

The dark coloring of the skin post-acne is not a scar and tends to disappear on its own with proper skin care and sun protection. It is common in people with a darker skin tone and those who pick acne. If the hyperpigmentation doesn’t vanish after a few months, consult a dermatologist to identify the underlying cause and get suitable treatment.

Treatment Methods for Acne Scars 

Acne scars need repeated treatments to show results since the skin has to be healed from deep within. Most procedures are performed in less than an hour and have fewer side effects. However, the treatments have to be provided by an experienced dermatologist to enhance the results and reduce the risks. We at Mehektagul Derma Clinic offer a comprehensive range of dermatological treatments. We provide top acne scar treatment in Delhi, including treatments like:

• Microneedling

Microneedling uses a hand-held tool with several tiny needles that prick the skin and stimulate collagen production. It can also be called collagen induction therapy. While microneedling tools are available in the market, using them without the help of a dermatologist can result in permanent skin damage.

• Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are injections with collagen, fat, or hyaluronic acid. The component is injected into the skin’s layers to smoothen the surface and provide an even skin tone. The body slowly absorbs the component, so one will need injections once every six months to ensure the skin looks healthy and smooth.

• Chemical Peels

Chemical peels contain medical solutions that can remove the top layer of the skin to promote collagen production. They are useful for treating deeper scars and require multiple treatment sessions to show visible results over time. Chemical peels should not be applied at home or by an untrained person, as the ingredients can burn the skin.

• Radiofrequency for Skin Tightening

Mild acne scars are treated using radiofrequency devices. These help in tightening the skin to even the top surface layer. It is used for skin toning as the radiofrequency waves boost collagen production. It is also a pain-free method with almost zero downtime.

• Injections

Apart from dermal fillers, other components like cor-tico-ste-roi-ds, chemotherapy medication, or Bo-to-x are injected directly into the scars to fill them. The injections are given in multiple treatment sessions based on the results and the side effects. This treatment method is not suitable for everyone and depends on one’s health.

• Electrodesiccation

Electrodesiccation uses an electric probe to produce heat and kill the skin tissue in the scarred region. It is recommended for boxcar scars, but it is more effective when combined with other methods.

• Cryosurgery

Cryosurgery is a good choice to treat raised acne scars. In this method, extreme cold is used to kill the skin tissue and cause it to fall off. Over the next few days, new skin will replace the affected area and appear smoother.

• Pl-at-el-et-Rich Plasma

P-R-P or Pl-ate-let-rich plasma is a part of regenerative treatment. The dermatologist takes a sample of the patient’s blood and separates plasma from it using a device. This solution is then injected into the affected area to promote better skin cell growth and even the scars. Repeated treatment sessions are required to reduce the scars completely.

• Laser Resurfacing

Laser resurfacing uses a laser-based device to remove the top layer of the skin. It is relatively painless and requires less downtime than microneedling and chemical peels. It is more suitable for people with lighter skin tones and acne breakouts.

• Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion is a reliable treatment for facial acne scars. It works well to reduce rolling and boxcar scars, though it is quite effective for deeper acne scars as well. The procedure can be a little painful and make the skin appear red. It requires several treatment sessions.

• Serums

Salicylic acid, retinol, lactic acid, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), etc. are powerful active ingredients that are good for the skin. These can gradually reduce acne scars, smoothen fine lines, and improve skin tone. The dermatologist will examine the skin to recommend the best serum or topical applicants. This treatment has to be combined with other clinical procedures for more effective results.

Preventing Acne Scars

While one may not be able to prevent acne scars entirely, one can reduce the extent of scarring by taking a few preventive steps.

• Don’t pick or pop the acne. Repeatedly touching or popping the bumps damages the skin’s layers and delays healing. It also causes hyperpigmentation. 
• Keep the acne-affected area clean using a mild water-based cleanser twice a day. 
• Don’t touch the affected area with the fingers. The dirt and bacteria on the hands and fingernails can lead to infection. 
• Don’t exfoliate the affected area, as it can aggravate and cause acne to flare up again. 
• Avoid smoking, as tobacco increases the chances of scarring. 
• Stay hydrated and consume a balanced diet. 
• Apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Opt for water-based sunscreen and moisturizers. 
• Avoid oil or cream-based lotions on the affected area. 
• Tanning can worsen acne and should be avoided, be it through natural light or artificial tanning parlors. 
• Avoid using OTC (over-the-counter) creams and serums with too many ingredients or high concentrations of active ingredients. 
• Consult a dermatologist if acne doesn’t reduce in a few days or reappears often.

Conclusion

Acne scars can be greatly reduced with proper care and dermatological treatments. The senior dermatologist at Mehektagul Dermaclinic can examine a patient’s skin to find the best treatment method to reduce acne scars and enhance skin health. 
Book a consultation with our experts now to learn which treatment will suit one the best and discover the acne scar treatment cost in Delhi!