Marks and scars caused by acne have a solution, although not in all cases. Acne is a problem that almost all of us suffer from at some point in our lives and, unfortunately, if we do not treat this condition properly we can end up suffering its consequences.
Although there are ways to treat scars, prevention is the most effective way to avoid them. At the first sign of aggressive acne, it is advisable to see a specialist who will analyze the case and provide treatment to prevent the appearance of marks.
What are acne marks?
In order to work on the scars that acne leaves on our skin, we must first know what these marks are and why they are generated. Acne can cause keloid, atrophic and hypertrophic scars.
What we call acne marks are inflammations of the skin as a result of the body’s attempt to repair the wound. This also causes skin pigmentation. Usually, the reddish, white or even brown spots disappear months after the inflammation caused by acne has ended.
As with stretch marks or other types of scars, when our body tries to repair the skin, in this case from an inflammatory acne lesion, it creates new tissue rich in collagen. The wound is repaired but the new skin does not have the same tone or quality as the original skin.
- Keloids are those that grow beyond the wound itself. They have a reddish color and rise above the skin. Acne can cause them but they are more common after burns.
- The atrophic ones have a furrow shape, they are formed because the wound does not finish forming the union with the skin correctly. They are the most common after acne and are usually seen mainly on the cheeks.
- And hypertrophic scars are formed when the scar does not exceed the limits of the wound. They are also raised above the skin and do not have the same tone. Both hypertrophic and keloids may cause pain or some tightness.
Treatments to remove acne marks
The best way to prevent the appearance of acne marks is to start acne treatment as soon as possible. There is no single medical treatment since it depends on the scar, its extension and the patient’s needs.
When prevention is late or has not worked, we can now resort to aesthetic treatments that provide very good results.
In case the acne scars cause you pain, before starting any treatment you should consult a dermatologist, so that he/she can tell you the best options.
To remove the marks caused by acne, we can resort to:
Micropigmentation
Micropigmentation is an economical solution to soften the appearance of the scar. It cannot be used with keloid scars and it is not a permanent treatment, this means that you will have to do it again when it loses its effect.
There are also topical products that help reduce skin pigmentation. They allow us to blur the marks produced by acne due to impurities.
Chemical peeling
Chemical products such as salicylic acid and trichloroacetic acid are used to eliminate the most superficial layers of the skin, removing acne marks and dead cells at the same time.
The new skin that appears after this, will have a new tone in which probably no signs of pigmentation will be seen.
Chemical peeling is the recommended treatment in case of moderate atrophic scars, being able to choose the depth of exfoliation depending on the needs of each individual. These are long treatments but with good long-term results.
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid injections allow acne marks to be removed by fillers. They can only be used on atrophic scars and although their result is immediate, it is not permanent, which makes it necessary to repeat the treatment when the hyaluronic acid has been absorbed by the body.
Laser
Laser is used for more aggressive scars, especially keloid or hypertrophic scars. The laser applies heat to the skin to stimulate collagen synthesis. This collagen fills the hollows of the skin and homogenizes it, making skin defects less visible to the naked eye.
This is a multi-week treatment, as collagen formation is not immediate. It can be combined with other options such as hyaluronic acid and peelings once completed.
