Disclaimer: Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.
How to Get Rid of Acne Scars in Cincinnati, Ohio
Acne is extremely frustrating for anyone who has ever had to deal with it. The pimples tend to persist no matter how often some people wash their faces.
Still, there’s something even worse than those obnoxious red bumps. All the damage they’ll do to your appearance. Acne scars can be treated, so they no longer have to be a source of distress. If you suffer from acne scars and are ready to finally do something about it, contact Moksha Dermatology in Cincinnati, Ohio today!
Differences Between Acne Marks & Acne Scars
When a pimple heals, it usually leaves behind a scar. We can only pray that their scars are only cosmetic. It’s just a scar if the skin is unaffected in the dark or red spots. Those aren’t scars; they’re just temporary discoloration. The marks usually fade away between three and six months after they first appear.
A scar, however, is a sign of permanent skin damage that will not go away without medical attention. Acne scars alter the way skin looks and feels. Acne scarring, whether it be indentations or raised spots, indicates tissue damage at a deeper dermal layer. Cobblestoning suggests deeper scarring that requires more than a superficial approach to healing.
Preventative measures are superior to corrective procedures for achieving silky skin. In order to avoid permanent scarring from acne, you must take preventative measures. Acne that has recently appeared should be treated right away with the help of a medical professional who can determine the most effective course of action. Plus, stop picking at your zits! Long-term effects will worsen as a result.
Visit Moksha Dermatology today if you find that your skin is still bumpy after a pimple has healed. The final goal is to prevent the scars from forming in the first place.
What Causes Acne Scarring?
If the skin is ever broken, a scar may emerge. Inflamed acne causes a rush of blood cells and collagen to the area, which might help mend skin if it has been damaged. However, they are not always successful since severe acne sometimes does not allow the skin to heal before it breaks out again.
Understanding the Types of Acne Scars
One of the first things you should do when deciding how to treat your acne scars is to determine which type they are. One or more of your scars may be particularly bothersome to you.
Get a good look in the mirror and decide how best to characterize the scars you see.
First, you’ll want to identify what type of scarring you have. Does it appear:
- Depressed: depressed indent in the skin
- Raised: bump like and raised from the skin’s surface
- Discolored: reddish, dark, or lighter than your skin’s natural tone
After you have identified the category of the acne scar, you’ll want to understand the type of scar.
Atrophic Acne Scars
Atrophic scars are depressed areas that heal with a thinner layer of skin underneath. Scars of this type are a common result of severe cases of cystic acne. However, they can also be brought on by other kinds of acne.
A person’s acne history can affect the visual presentation of their atrophic acne scars.
There are three distinct types of atrophic scars:
- Boxcar acne scars: Scars known as “boxcars” are deep depressions with highly defined corners and sides. Acne, chicken pox, and varicella (a virus that causes a red, itchy rash with blisters) that spreads over a large area can leave scars that look like boxcars.
- Ice pick acne scars: Unlike rolling scars, which are wide and flat, ice pick scars are narrow and point downward. Scars like these frequently appear on the cheeks.
- Rolling acne scars: Scars with a rolling appearance are irregular in depth and have sloping edges, giving the skin a wavelike appearance.
Keloid and Hypertrophic Acne Scars
Scars that are hypertrophic or keloid produce lumps of scar tissue that are elevated above the skin’s surface where the acne was. Scar tissue forms, often as a result of earlier acne breakouts.
Pimples scars formed by hypertrophic scarring seem the same size as the original acne. When acne scars develop into keloid scars, the scar becomes much wider than the initial problem area and even spreads outward from the scar’s edges.
The jawline, chest, back, and shoulders are prime locations for the development of hypertrophic and keloid scars. This sort of scarring is more common in those with darker skin tones.
Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation Acne Scars
Even after the acne clears up, the affected area of skin may appear darker or discolored. This is not a scar, and it will go away on its own if you practice good sun safety.
If you have severe acne or have picked at your pimples, you may experience hyperpigmentation. However, if you use sunblock consistently, your skin will gradually return to its original color.
Those with darker skin tones and those who pick at or squeeze their acne are more likely to develop post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Best Treatments to Get Rid of Acne Scars
Scars develop when collagen fills up wounds in the skin with a columnar pattern that is a replica of the injury. Collagen not only ties the skin together, but also pushes it down and contracts it, giving it a distinct feel than the skin around it.
Scar treatments often involve dissolving collagen. And when it regrows, it does so more randomly, resulting in smoother skin thanks to the collagen web. There are two main options for those dealing with scars:
Microneedling for Acne Scars
When it comes to acne scars, microneedling is the most cost-effective treatment option. Microscopic needles are used in microneedling to puncture the collagen and alter the scar’s texture and appearance. As the skin repairs itself, the collagen reforms into a new configuration.
Laser Skin Resurfacing for Acne Scars
The Icon Laser, our secondary primary treatment option, provides our patients with the most noticeable improvement in skin texture. With laser light, scar tissue can be broken down in laser therapy. Collagen is drilled into without the skin being broken. Due to the fact that this treatment does not involve cutting the skin, it usually results in a shorter period of downtime. What’s more, lasers’ ability to go deep into the skin means the effects last a lot longer.
Acne scar laser treatments can cost anywhere from $600 to over $2,000. Acne scar laser treatments can cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the severity of the scarring and the type of laser used.
What Dermatology Treatment is Recommend for Acne Scars?
A medical procedure is necessary to enhance the appearance of noticeable scars that have altered the skin’s texture. To cure laser scars, we employ a laser that has been cleared by the FDA for this purpose. Chemical peels are used by some people, but they don’t work very well. There are many who choose for dermabrasion, which is similar to using a sanding wheel on the skin, despite the fact that it might leave scars behind. Lasers can do the job more effectively and safely.
What is the First Step in Treating My Acne Scars?
During your initial consultation, we will review and discuss your skin needs. Our dermatology experts will analyze your skin to identify its type and assess the level of acne scarring. Once screening is complete, they will recommend the best course of action for you to take. The need for further treatments is common among those with darker skin tones. Each treatment’s energy is lowered since dark skin is more prone to pigment production. That manner, any hyperpigmentation caused by the therapy can be avoided.
Be prepared to apply sunscreen immediately following your treatment. It needs to be used heavily in the weeks after your operation to prevent over-pigmentation.
Schedule Your Acne Scar Treatment Appointment at Moksha Dermatology Today
If you’re ready to change your life and say goodbye to acne scars, simply give us a call. Our offices in Cincinnati, Ohio and the surrounding areas of Dayton and Springboro can help you discover clearer skin! In order to find out what’s ideal for your skin needs, contact Moksha Dermatology today!
