Acne Scars

How I get acne scars?

Acne as a teenager or adult can be socially detrimental. It is one of the most common skin conditions affecting all age groups. There is a common misconception that people grow out of acne when they get older however this is far from the truth. Acne will affect each and everyone of us at some point in our lives. If we escape it as a teenager, we no doubt will suffer from it as an adult.
Ideally, our goal is to prevent acne breakouts but it is impossible to prevent all acne. When acne does develop, then our goal is to cure it as soon as possible so it does not linger and develop into acne scars.
The main cause of acne scars is acne that is not properly treated in a timely manner and is allowed to linger, develop into a cyst and then scar. Scarring comes from our natural habit to pick and squeeze the acne in hope that we can pick the acne away. The combination of the acne lingering, constant picking and squeezing, and the exposure to sunlight all contribute to acne scars.

What are the different types of acne scars?

1. Ice Pick Scars: Narrow, deep scars that extend into the dermis. Like the name states, the skin looks as if it has been pierced by an ice pick or sharp instrument
2. Box Car Scars: Round or oval depressions that are wider than ice picks giving the skin a pitted appearance.
3. Rolling Scars: Rolling or "wave-like" undulations across normal flat skin
4. Hypertropic Scars / Keloids: A raised, firm mass of tissue cause by of an overproduction of collagen.
5. Hyperpigmentation Scars: Areas of skin that has turned either darker or become red where acne use to be.

Treatment options for acne scars?

The first step in treating acne scars is to treat and control the acne. There is no point in treating the acne scars if you continue to develop uncontrolled acne. Please refer to Acne for the different acne treatment options.

The second step is to treat the acne scars. Acne scar treatments can be a long process. Remember, you did not get these scars overnight and you will not get rid of them overnight. Frequently, multiple treatments will be required for the desired results. Once acne scars have improved through treatments, as long as acne is controlled in the future, these results will be permanent.

Below is a list of treatment options that we offer for acne scars:

Active X                     Chemical Peel                         Vibradermabrasion                              Genesis