Why Do Acne Scars Form?

Acne is one of the most common skin issues most people face. You could suffer from acne as a teenager or even as an adult. Studies showed that more than 50 million people in the U.S. suffer from acne annually.

If acne is not well-managed, it can cause permanent physical scarring if the inflammation is deep.

In general, there are 3 main types of acne scars:

ICE PICK SCARS These scars are often very deep. They are characterised by narrow pitted shapes in the skin. They are often caused by severe acne with deep inflammation. They are called ice pick scars because they resemble an indentation left behind by an ice pick.

BOXCAR SCARS They are usually shallow and characterised by sharp, defined edges. They are often caused by similar inflammation of the skin as rolling scars. On closer inspection, boxcar scars look like they are left by an indentation of a fingernail.

ROLLING SCARS They tend to be ill-defined depression on the skin with wavy, shallow indentation across an entire patch of the face, usually on the lateral sides of the face.

Effective medical treatments

There are several medical treatments you can consider if you are seeking for acne scar treatment in Singapore. It ranges from radiofrequency, laser, to dermal fillers. Doctors often use a combination of these treatments to yield the best outcome for you.

Pico Laser

Pico laser works by delivering ultrashort laser pulses into the skin. By delivering short laser pulses that are 10 times shorter in duration than a traditional Q-switched laser, more pulses can be delivered into the skin with a shorter duration. This means that less heat is generated, causing significantly less damage to the surrounding tissue.

Through its targeted mode of energy delivery, Pico Laser stimulates the skin to produce more collagen to reduce the appearance of depressed acne scars. Over time, you will notice a marked improvement of the skin texture.

Skin Resurfacing Laser (CO2 laser)

After so many years of new laser technology, CO2 laser remains the gold standard for treating acne scars. The latest CO2 laser leverages on a controlled chaos technology that increases safety and comfort compared to other fractional resurfacing lasers. During the treatment, precise, micro-ablative columns are created in the skin, causing superficial trauma to the skin.

During the recovery process, the skin produces collagen to allow newer, softer skin to grow. Over time, you can expect to see smoother, firmer skin. CO2 laser is also an excellent treatment for stretch marks, especially after childbirth or people who experience fluctuation in weight.

INFINI Radiofrequency

INFINI is a minimally-invasive radiofrequency treatment to address a wide range of issues such as sagging skin, wrinkles, and scars. The unique technology allows the doctor to tailor the treatment based on the severity of the scars.

The treatment involves administering micro-needles that delivers tiny amounts of radiofrequency waves into the dermis with an adjustable length of 0.5mm to 3.5mm to induce trauma to the skin, and at the same time deliver radiofrequency waves to kickstart collagen production.

Dermal fillers

Dermal fillers are generally used for sculpting facial features and replacing lost volume in the skin. Most dermal fillers in the market are made of hyaluronic acid. These HA gel are fully compatible with the body. HA is a water-loving molecule that can contain up to 100 times its weight in water.

Using the same idea, dermal fillers are suitable for filling in severe depressed scars that can be difficult to treat with lasers. Using dermal fillers, the doctor can immediately plump up the depression to smoothen out the skin.

Acne scars are like your fingerprint. Everyone has different types of acne scars. This means that a highly customised solution is often needed to provide a holistic care for acne scars. Always consult a doctor before deciding what treatments suit you the best for your type of acne scars.