Acne scars can feel like a double whammy: first you had to put up with pimples, and now you have scars to remind you of it.
Acne lesions occur when hair follicles (or “pores”) in the skin become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. A plugged follicle is the ideal place for bacteria to grow and to create red bumps and pus-filled bumps like pimples.
What are the different types of acne?
Acne comes in different forms:
mild: causes white or blackheads that most people have at some point
moderate: causes red, swollen pimples (called papules) and red pimples with a white center (called pustules)
severe: causes painful pus-filled cysts or lumps (called nodules) under the skin
The most serious scars are caused by the most severe forms of acne, and nodules are more likely to leave permanent scars than other types of acne.
The best thing you can do is seek acne treatment as soon as it appears to avoid more serious acne and more scarring. If you have nodules, see your doctor or dermatologist for treatment.
Treatment of acne scars
Most of the time, the reddish or brownish acne marks that remain after the pimple clears up do not need treatment. However, if you pick at or break pimples, you can increase your risk of scarring.
Acne scars have two forms:
scars with a gradual depression or
deep and narrow scars.
Acne must be controlled before treating scars.
Difference between mild and severe scars
Treatments depend on the seriousness of the scars. In some cases, a doctor or dermatologist may recommend microdermabrasion or a chemical peel to help improve the appearance of scarred areas. These milder treatments can be done right in the office.
For severe scars from previous acne episodes, there are several types of treatment that can help improve them:
face rejuvenation This procedure can be done in your doctor’s or dermatologist’s office. The laser removes the damaged top layer of skin and tightens the middle layer, leaving the skin smoother. It can take from a few minutes to an hour. The doctor will try to relieve the pain by first numbing the skin with a local anesthetic. It takes 3-10 days for the skin to heal completely.
Dermabrasion. This treatment uses a rotating diamond tool or wire brush to abrade the surface of the skin. As the skin heals, the peeling layer is replaced by a new, smoother layer. When dermabrasion is used, it takes a little longer for the skin to heal: usually from 10 days to 3 weeks.
fractional laser therapy This type of treatment acts on a deeper level than laser resurfacing or dermabrasion. Because fractional laser therapy does not damage the top layer of tissue, healing time is shorter. A person who has received this type of treatment will simply look as if they have been sunburned for a couple of days.
If you want information about this treatment, the LUMÉNIZ clinic invites you to go through a completely FREE medical consultation at our headquarters located at Av. Benavides 1967
