ACNE SCAR TREATMENT
What are acne scars?
Acne scars are changes in the skin texture left behind after severe acne, usually cystic acne. They occur due to inflammatory changes in the skin, caused by the loss of tissue during the healing of acne.
What causes acne scarring?
Acne is an inflammatory process. Inflammation causes the process of wound healing to be activated. If the inflammation is extensive and deep extending into the deep dermis and continues untreated, scarring results. The different types of acne scars are as a result of the extent, depth and degree of inflammation that is followed by repair. On the face, most commonly seen acne scars are indentation or depressed or atrophic scars.
30% of people with acne will experience some degree of acne scarring. The more severe the acne and the longer it is active, the worse the acne scarring can be. The sooner active acne is treated, the lesser the risk of scar tissue formation.
Types of atrophic acne scars:
Ice pick scars:
These are small, deep, narrow holes in the skin, similar to puncture marks.
Boxcar scars:
Round or oval depressions with sharp edges, similar to a crater.These are small, deep, narrow holes in the skin, similar to puncture marks.
Rolling scars:
Giving the skin a wavy, uneven look.These are small, deep, narrow holes in the skin, similar to puncture marks.
Other common type of scar left by acne is post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which is not a true scar but rather temporary discolouration, which appears in the form of flat, brown or black spots that occur when skin inflammation triggers the release of melanin pigment during the healing of acne.
Here at MKSkin clinic, Milton Keynes, we offer treatments for different types of acne scars. we offer deep chemical peels like TCA CROSS (Chemical reconstruction of skin scars) for ice pick or boxcar acne scars. For shallow rolling acne scars, we offer microneedling (dermapen treatment). For flat pigmented scars left by acne, we offer chemical peels to lighten the pigmented scars.
TCA CROSS for acne scars:
Here at MKSkin clinic, Milton Keynes, we offer TCA CROSS for the treatment of deep acne scars. It is a highly targeted, in clinic procedure used to treat deep pitted acne scars. The procedure involves applying a high concentration of trichloroacetic acid directly into the scar. This results in a controlled, safe injury that triggers the skin to produce new collagen to fill the scar tissue, making it shallower and less noticeable. It requires 3-6 sessions, spaced 4-6 weeks apart for best results. This treatment is localized to the scars only and not the unaffected skin.
Microneedling treatment for acne scars:
Dermapen is a type of micro-needling used to boost collagen formation and improve shallow atrophic acne scars. It is also used for skin rejuvenation. Microneedling is a process carried out with a dermapen that is covered with numerous tiny needles. Dermapen makes pin-point punctures into the dermis. Your body perceives this as injury, which triggers the release of growth factors, that in turn, stimulates the production of elastin and collagen and helps to improve the appearance of acne scars.
According to the research, microneedling results in a significant increase in level of collagen type I, III, and VII, newly synthesized collagen and elastin. This percutaneous collagen induction leads to an overall youthful appearance of the skin by reducing fine lines, reducing pore size, improving scars and increasing skin suppleness and elasticity.
Dermapen (microneedling) can be conducted safely on all skin types.
Dermapen treatment helps to improve the following skin conditions:
– Scars, especially indented acne scars, surgical scars and injury scars.
– Lack of skin radiance, Loss of elasticity and epidermal thickness.
– Rough and uneven skin texture, fine lines,
– Open pores.
You are not eligible for Derma pen if the following applies to you:
– You suffer with active pustular acne, active bacterial, active viral (cold sores or singles) or fungal infections.
– Eczema and psoriasis.
– Keloid scars, warts, collagen vascular disease.
– Patients with blood clotting problems and cardiac abnormalities.
– Actinic (solar) keratosis, Immunosuppression.
All our treatments are carried out by qualified and experienced doctors. Patient safety and effective treatments, remain our priority.