There are many types of acne scars. Acne scars can be challenging to deal with and take a long time to heal. However, there are great skincare products or procedures available that will help reduce the appearance of acne scars. Today, we will talk about three different types of acne scars and how to treat them!
Ice pick
Ice pick scars are deep and narrow; it looks like a tiny ice pick punctured the skin. The cause of ice pick scars is because once there is an acne breakout, the body produces collagen to repair the breakout. However, if only a little bit of collagen is produced, your skin will have tiny holes. In addition, those who suffer from cystic acne breakouts will be more prone to developing ice pick scars.
Treatments
Punch excision: Using a punch tool to remove the scar tissue. After the scar tissue has been removed, it will be stitched up by sutures. Punch excision does leave a small scar, but the scar will look like a line instead of an ice pick depression.
Punch grafting: Consists of removing the scar tissue and replacing it with a skin graft. This procedure is usually used and recommended for deep ice pick scars. Usually, the skin graft is taken from behind the person's ear.
Radiofrequency therapy: Using high-frequency radio waves to tighten and smooth the skin, which will improve the appearance of acne scars.
Micro-needling: It creates micro-tears in the skin to promote collagen production. The production of more collagen will help diminish the appearance of any acne scars. However, some side effects include bruising and swelling after the procedure.
Rolling
Rolling scars look like waves across the skin. The cause of rolling scars is scar tissue that forms under the skin in bands, which gives the appearance of waves on the skin. It takes about three to six months for rolling scars to fade, but in some cases, they might be permanent and need treatments to improve the appearance of the scars.
Treatments
Pico genesis: It's a machine that will create micro-wounds in the skin with high energy pulses. The micro-wounds will help the production of collagen in the skin. The promotion of collagen will help decrease the appearance of rolling scars.
Laser therapy: Heat from the laser removes the top layer of the skin, and when this top layer is removed, the skin underneath is smooth and scar-free. The best laser to use for rolling scars is an ablative laser. Ablative lasers also treat rolling scars with fewer treatments, and the recovery time is usually faster.
Radiofrequency micro-needling: It uses both needles and radiofrequency to target acne scars. Micro-needling will create micro-tears in the skin, which will boost collagen production, and the radiofrequency will boost the effects of the micro-needling. This method will stimulate new smooth skin and improve the appearance of rolling acne scars.
Boxcar
Box-like depressions with defined edges can be in a round or oval shape. It can also be flesh skin or can look red or brown. The cause of boxcar scars can be cystic acne, and it leaves a depression on your skin because of the lack of collagen production in that area. Surface boxcar scars are usually easier to treat than deep boxcar scars.
Treatments
Laser therapy: Using lasers to promote skin healing and boost collagen production in that area. There are different types of lasers that you can use to treat the area, and some side effects of using lasers are itchy and red skin. Usually, ablative lasers are better for treating boxcar scars than non-ablative lasers.
Radiofrequency: Using this method means that it will realign the collagen fibers, improving the appearance of acne scars. It can reduce the appearance of pores as well.
Micro-needling: Creating micro-tears in the skin will promote collagen production in specific areas. The increased collagen production in that area will fill out the depression and reduce the appearance of the scar.
What're your best tips to get rid of acne scars? Let us know in the comment section below!