Acne and Acne Scars are a common skin disorder that affects millions of people. Surprisingly enough it does not just affect adolescents. Acne also occurs in adults up into and past the age of 40. The skin triggers an inflammatory response when bacteria, oil or dead skin cells become trapped within the pores or hair follicles, becoming infected. Often the sebum or oil glands become overactive, producing an increased amount of oil causing these blockages. Genetics, hormones, and stress are also contributing factors. Acne is considered either non-inflammatory or inflammatory and is treated accordingly. When the inflammatory response from the acne lasts for an extended period of time the skin can become scarred.
Prolonged inflammation within the skin causes injury to the tissue. The residual effect of this trauma is a visible mark or scar. Scars form as part of a natural healing process as the body tries to repair the “injury” or in this case inflammation to the dermis. Acne Scars may appear as depressions or pitted areas in the skin caused when the support structures under the skin damaged. Some scars will form as a result of an overproduction of collagen during the healing process. When this occurs the outcome is a thick raised scar or a keloid.
There is not a specific reason why scarring is more pronounced in some and not others. Some people are just more susceptible to scars. When acne scarring occurs, it is usually as a result of severe inflammatory cysts, which occur deep within the dermis. The best way to avoid or limit the extent of a scar is by treating acne when it first appears and to continue to control the symptoms for as long as necessary. When the inflammation is kept under control the probability of acne scarring decreases.
There are a variety of treatments available to decrease or even remove scars that have occurred from acne. Treatment approaches will depend on the type and extent of the scars in question. Dermal fillers such as Restylane®, Juvederm® or autologous fat transfers can be used to fill deep pitted soft scars. Standard or microdermabrasion techniques have the ability to resurface the upper layers of skin to make the scar less visible. Ablative lasers like CO₂ and partially ablative lasers such as the fractional lasers will remove the epidermal layer to decrease the depth of the scar, making it appear smoother and less visible.
Skin surgery, punch excisions and skin grafting also have the ability to remove the scar tissue by either suturing the area closed, or by inserting a skin graft (small piece of skin). Acne Scars that are considered keloid (raised or hypertrophic) do not have the option many options for completely satisfactory treatment or removal. When these occur, long lasting steroid injections at monthly intervals can benefit the area by flattening the raised areas of skin. Unfortunately those with a family history of keloids tend to continued issues with this kind of response. If you have acne or a known tendency to scar, consult a dermatologist to determine the right course of action to treat active acne or the scars associated with it. |
