Scars From Acne and Treatment
Acne affects a huge percentage of teens and young adults. Even though this condition affects a huge amount of young people, older adults are not immune from this ailment. When acne disappears, scars from acne remain, which overtime may disappear for some patients. However, in some people acne scars remain and leave ugly scars. Scars, which are not easily removed by using topical skin care products, and they may require surgery or skin resurfacing to remove permanently.
When scars from acne are healed, they sometimes leave discoloration on the skin, which might appear red or hyper pigmented. These discolorations appear as if they are a scar, but they are actually post inflammation changes. The discoloration is the skin way of healing and rejuvenating the skin. This process of remodeling the skin can last 6-12 months and will heal normally, if the area is free of other outbreaks. However, if after this time frame, the discoloration or any other discoloration is present, the acne sufferer has permanent scars.
Early signs of acne scars require lifestyle changes as well as medications to ensure the skin heal properly. Wearing a sunscreen to protect the skin from damaging rays will help the skin heal faster. Not picking the acne scabs also encourages the healing process. Products such as Tretinoin, Alpha-Hydroxy Acids and Beta-Hydroxy Acid help to heal the skin. There are claims that antioxidants clear scars from acne. However, there are no conclusive studies to support the claim.
The market is saturated with products that claim to eliminate acne scars such as Dermal Fillers. Derma Fillers are injected into the acne scars and raise the skin surface giving a smoother complexion. However, Derma Fillers do not eradicate scars from acne.
A popular acne scar treatment is laser resurfacing. Laser resurfacing treats acne scars as well as other skin problems. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and erbium lasers are two of the most popular types on the market today. They are effective because they burn the top layer of the affected skin with the correct depth. Then, the skin undergoes the healing process by eliminating the burned layers and creating new skin. This is considered a surgical procedure so patients should factoring post-operative skin care if they choose this procedure.
If you have acne scars, research what is the best treatment. Remember, the most effective way to handle scars from acne is to prevent having acne in the first place. Thus, someone who is prone to acne should use the appropriate treatments to combat acne breakouts.
