Acne Scarring

Understanding Acne Scarring: Types, Causes, and Treatment Options

Acne scarring is a persistent concern that can affect skin texture and tone long after active breakouts have healed. Whether you’re dealing with uneven skin texture, red marks, or dark spots, acne scars can be challenging to manage. Let’s explore the types of acne scars and the advanced treatments we offer to help you achieve smoother, clearer skin.

Types of Acne Scarring

Ice Pick Scars: These are narrow, deep scars that can look like tiny holes in the skin. Due to their depth, ice pick scars are among the most challenging to treat.
Rolling Scars: Known for their wave-like, uneven texture, rolling scars are broad depressions with sloping edges, creating an irregular look on the skin.
Boxcar Scars: Boxcar scars are wider and more defined, giving the skin a pitted appearance. They are typically shallow but have clearly defined edges.
Erythematous (Red) Scars: Often appearing as red or pink marks from previous breakouts, these scars aren’t indented but can stand out due to their colour.
Hypertrophic and Keloid Scars: These raised, thickened scars form when the skin produces excess collagen during healing. They’re more common on the chest and back but can appear anywhere on the body.
Hyperpigmented Scars: While not technically scars in texture, dark or discoloured marks often accompany acne scars, adding to their visibility.

Treating Active Acne First

It’s crucial to manage any active acne before addressing scars. Ongoing breakouts can interfere with scar treatment effectiveness and even create new scars. Once your acne is under control, we can focus on improving the appearance of your scars and restoring smoother skin.

Advanced Acne Scar Treatments We Offer

Sciton ProFractional Laser with BBL: This powerful combination addresses both texture and redness. The ProFractional laser targets a portion of the skin, stimulating collagen production to refine texture and reduce scarring. Adding BroadBand Light (BBL) helps even out skin tone by targeting redness. This treatment is effective for scars on the face and body.
Intracel Microneedling with Radiofrequency (RF): Combining microneedling with RF, this treatment penetrates deeply to stimulate collagen, improving the structure of indented scars. It’s an excellent option for treating rolling and boxcar scars.
Subcision: This minimally invasive technique releases fibrous bands under the skin, allowing pitted scars to lift and reducing the appearance of deeper scars like ice pick and rolling scars.
Pixel Peel with Skintech Easy TCA Peels: This innovative treatment combines microneedling with a TCA peel, optimising scar revision. Microneedling prepares the skin, enhancing the effects of the TCA peel for smoother texture and tone. This approach benefits various scar types, from indented to discoloured.

Why Do Acne Scars Form?

Acne scars often develop from severe acne, such as cystic acne, which damages the deeper layers of skin. As the skin heals, it may produce either too much collagen, resulting in raised scars, or too little, leading to indentations. Genetics also play a role, with some people naturally more prone to scarring. Hyperpigmentation, or dark spots, can add to the visual impact of acne scars, making them more noticeable and sometimes emotionally challenging.

Embrace Clearer Skin with Tailored Treatments

Acne scars don’t have to be a lasting reminder of past breakouts. Our tailored treatments can help you achieve smoother, clearer skin. Whether you’re dealing with red erythematous scars, deep ice pick marks, or rolling scars, we offer options that allow us to create a plan customised to your skin type and specific scar concerns.

Please note that multiple treatments are often necessary to achieve the best results. Ready to explore your options for reducing acne scars? Schedule a consultation and take the first step towards feeling confident in your skin again.

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