Dermatological Treatment Options For Acne Scars!

Acne scars are caused when a pimple or cyst is popped and broken leaving a layer of damaged skin behind. Acne (pimples) are caused by the excess oil, dead skin, and bacteria blocking the skin pores causing it to swell. 

Causes of Acne(pimples): 

Acne and acne scars can be caused due to the following reasons: 

• Hormonal imbalance during or after the onset of puberty 
• Medicines that contains lithium, androgen or corticosteroids 
• Oil and greasy food items and those rich in carbohydrates can trigger acne. 

In some cases, dairy products can worsen the condition. Simple tips to prevent scarring Wrong use of cosmetics which are comedogenic (clog pores) 

Acne scars can be categorized into three types: 

1. Ice Pick scars which are small but have deep pits. 
2. Boxcar scars have sharp edges, these can be shallow or deep 
3. Rolling scar have a wavy look as they are wide and shallow. 

Some superficial acne scars fade with time to a very small extent. However, in case of majority deep scars the stigma remains for lifetime 

Tips to Prevent Acne scars 

1. Reduce ocurrence of acne breakouts (pimples) 
2. Don’t pick or squeeze pimples or acne as they can get inflamed. This inflammation can cause the bacteria to go further into the skin which would result in deeper scars. 
3. Do not use of harsh cosmetic products as some products can increase the risk of acne and scarring. 
4. Non-comedogenic, non-toxic, paraben-free, products free from irritants, synthetic dyes and colours should be used. 
5. Getting enough sleep is important and necessary for the body to produce collagen which is a protein necessary for skin elasticity. Sleep also helps the body and skin to repair itself. 

Treatment of Acne Scars 
Acne scars can be treated to regain your smooth skin and confidence back. After accessing your scars a good dermatologist can suggest a proper treatment plan that suits your condition. Most of these treatments can be performed as an outpatient procedure. Some of them are: 

1. Fractional Microneedle Radiofrequency: This treatment delivers radiofrequency energy to deeper layer of skin and stimulates repair and formation of new collagen in the dermis. The procedure has minimum downtime and is safe for all skin types and colours. It is very effective to treat acne scars. 
2. Laser Skin resurfacing: Where the damaged skin is removed to help new skin to grow. The damaged skin can be removed by the use of a laser. However, it has a downtime after treatment. 
3. Fillers: In this procedure, the doctor would inject a filler such as a collagen or fat into the damaged area. This helps the skin to become smooth. 
4. Dermaroller: Also known as micro-needling, is a procedure where tiny needles are rolled over the skin to stimulate collagen to grow. 

A skin doctor or dermatologist would help you choose the right treatment plan depending on the type of your skin and severity of acne scars