Acne scars are frustrating, aren’t they? There are many types of acne scars, which vary in size, shape, and colors. They are elevated-Keloid, or depressed-pitted. One common among all of them is the removal from the skin.
They are not that much difficult to treat.
However, treatment is not 100% successful always. Scaring is common even with most conscientious and careful method.
Ugly scars are depressing, whenever you see the face in the mirror.
Do You Know These Type of Acne Scars?
Usually, acne scars are of two types, i.e., atrophic and hypertrophic
- Atrophic: occur due to tissue loss
- Hypertrophic: occur due to excess of tissue
Under these two broad categories, acne scars are of four main types:
- Ice pick
- Rolling
- Boxcar
- Keloid
You are not alone in the case of acne scars. 99% of world population experience acne and every sufferer possess same feelings as you do.
Now, you will be wondering what types of acne scars you have? So, go on as you’ll find the cure here.
Acne Scars Types
Discoloration is not actual scars, but it occurs due to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. It fades over time due to the natural response of the skin.
In this process, skin gets different colors ranging from pink to red, black, brown or purple based on the skin tone.
Whenever a wound, pimple, or rash occurs on the skin, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation develops.
This state, due to inflammation of the skin, produces melanin (a hormone that darkens the skin).
Ice Picks Scars
Ice Pick Scars
The most common type of acne scar is the ice pick. You probably have seen many
people around you, suffering from such injuries. These are of the narrow kind that goes deep down in the skin. The skin appears as pierced with sharp nails or ice. The deep narrow holes in the skin are ice picks that seem as open pores.
How Do They Develop?
Ice pick scars develop when skin gets an infection, or get inflamed from a cyst. This condition destroys skin tissue. Hence scar appears. They are less than 2mm in appearance.
Treatment:
Deep acne scars like ice picks are treated by punch excision.
Though the punch grafting method, the dermatologist uses a tiny cookie cutter to get out the scar, and a small part of the skin from the back of the ear is placed on the void surface.
The grafting procedure is an outpatient cure. It is done in minimum time, and a new skin plug only needs one week to heal down.
Rolling
Rolling Scars
Wave shaped or rolling like depression on skin surface seems terrible.
These are rolling scars that are broad, and you may say shallow indentions.
The sloping edges in round shapes provide wavy or rough texture, and they
occur due to skin damage.
How Do They Develop?
When the fibrous band of skin tissues arises in the subcutaneous tissue and skin deep down, rolling scars appear.
Such bands lug epidermis towards deep skin structures.
This pulling format creates a rolling depression in the skin.
Treatment:
Subcision is the best way to treat rolling scars.
It is a surgical process that cuts the base of the scar and elevates it to the rest of skin level. The rippling or wavy appearance then streamlines the skin.
Boxcar
Boxcar Scars
Oval shaped, round and steeper depressions are boxcars. These are wider than
ice picks and appear on vertical sides.
They provide skin a kind of pitted appearance.
Different from rolling scars, they offer steep and defined edges. Typically, they seem
like the scars of chicken pox.
How Do They Develop?
Due to inflammation, skin surface damages. This result in the damage of collagen and tissue loss. On this affected area, skin lost support, so a depression appears.
They can be severe depending on the lost part of a tissue. The inflammation sits on the skin tissue preventing it from indentation repairing.
Treatment:
Boxcar treatment includes dermal fillers, punch excision, laser resurfacing and elevation of skin.
Some of them are surgical treatments that heal down the skin and help to nourish the skin tissues.
Keloid Scars
Keloid Scars
People with dark skin most often experience Keloid scars. These are raised acne
scars, and inflammation is contributory.
These scars characterize skin as bumpy
and rough that is more prone to catch the light. These are hypertrophic scars, present
in men on the torso.
How Do They Develop?
Due to excess collagen production, a scar appears on the skin tissue. Unlike rolling or ice-picks, they are not due to tissue loss.
When the acne fails to undergo a self-healing process, skin tissue start broken down, and collagen helps to build this lost.
But instead of healing, it seals the wound and skin do not perfectly level up. This causes the uneven spread of collagen around the wound.
Treatment:
Silicon gels, cortisone creams, steroids and different laser treatments are used as a cure. Liquid nitrogen is helpful in the form of cryotherapy that freezes the scars.
Pulsed dye cure, injections, and tapes support healing by flattening the scar and shrinking them. Scar tissue is softened by the use of interferon injections.
Acne Scars Therapies
Acne was a tremendous discomfort in living and worst when it went. In the form of scars, it haunts us the whole life until we go for a cure.
Above face acne scars will undoubtedly guide you what kind of acne issue you have, so you can choose the best method to cure them.
All these types of acne scars need a treatment to heal the skin.
RevLite laser therapy is best for the treatment of acne scars. It triggers the healing response and softens the scars within 2-3 sessions.
Many factors determine what laser method is suitable for your skin such as age, gender, scar type, skin color and severity of these blemishes.
Consulting dermatologist before adopting any treatment is wise. Types of acne scars vary in different regions. Skin color and food intake are significant players that determine kind of acne.
FDA has approved PicoSure therapeutic laser treatment.
Clinical studies revealed that 77% patients get more than 50% is success rate with it.
