Contents:
- Medical Video: Acne Scar Removal @ Pulse Light Clinic London
- Causes of pockmarked acne scars
- Can you get rid of acne scars with cream?
- Are there other ways to get rid of pockmark acne scars?
- Cream
- Dermabrasion
- Chemical peeling
- Laser resurfacing
- Dermal filler
- Microneedle therapy
- Minor skin surgery
- How to prevent pockmark acne scars
- Diligently wash your face
- Don't squeeze pimples
- Use sunscreen
Medical Video: Acne Scar Removal @ Pulse Light Clinic London
Acne is not only annoying when it appears, but also when it has disappeared and left a mark. Acne scars are reddish or blackish on the face to pockmark which makes the skin texture uneven. Compared to reddish and blackish stains, removing pockmark acne scars is much more difficult. Various treatments are claimed to be able to remove pockmark acne scars, including creams. However, is it true that pockmarked acne scars can only disappear with cream?
Causes of pockmarked acne scars
Pockmarked acne or in medical terms is called an acne atrophy (atrophic acne scar) is a skin disorder that can occur when zits cause sores on the skin. Unfortunately, skin cells cannot produce enough collagen to fill the damaged area. As a result, there was indentation (hollows) on the skin.
In other cases, acne can also cause the skin to produce too much collagen so that the opposite happens. The surface of acne scars is excessively filled until the formation is prominent or what is called hypertrophic acne scar.
Can you get rid of acne scars with cream?
In general, creams will not be able to remove pockmark acne scars or atrophic acne scars. The cream only reduces the appearance and dark color caused. Because the cream will not be able to close the basin due to pockmark.
Other types of treatments are needed besides creams to get rid of pockmark acne scars. However, before choosing the right treatment for this type of acne scars, I will tell you the types of atrophic acne scars:
- Boxcar, pocked with a wide shape like the letter U and has a firm side. This type of pockmark can also be shallow inside.
- Ice pick, this skar is shaped like the letter V and is generally quite deep. This type of pockmark is the most difficult to return to as it is because it has a deep enough basin.
- Rollingthe pockmark shape is usually quite wide with rounded and irregular edges.
Are there other ways to get rid of pockmark acne scars?
How to get rid of pockmark acne scars depends on the type. So, there is no one treatment method that can overcome all types of pockmarks at once. Usually the most effective way is to combine several treatments such as:
Cream
Face creams that contain AHA, lactic acid, and retinoids. Once again, I emphasize, the use of creams cannot restore pockmarked skin to become flat again. The cream is only used to improve the appearance of color on pockmarks that usually darken.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is an exfoliation technique using a tool that rotates on the surface of the facial skin. The goal is to lift the outer skin of the face. This therapy is useful for treating acne atrophic scars with shallow basins.
Chemical peeling
Chemical peeling is a technique to remove dead skin cells that use special chemicals-based creams. Peeling which is used is a type of acid that is strong enough to penetrate the skin to several layers down. Therefore it must be done in a skin health clinic and handled by experienced doctors.
Laser resurfacing
Laser resurfacing is the use of fractional CO2 lasers, Erbium, and other ingredients to overcome imperfect skin structures so that even healthier new skin can grow.
Dermal filler
Dermal filler usually chosen for pockmark type acne scars boxcar and rolling. Filler can use hyaluronic acid, or fat from within the body itself or collagen to be injected under the skin that has pockmarked. The point is to lift the area experiencing the basin.
Microneedle therapy
This one therapy is done using small needles pierced with a certain depth into the skin. The goal is to stimulate the formation of new collagen in the area of atrophic acne scar.
Minor skin surgery
Usually this method is done for pockmark acne scars that are large and can not be overcome by treatments that have been mentioned previously.
How to prevent pockmark acne scars
Pockmark does not harm you. However, this usually can reduce your confidence because of embarrassment with uneven facial skin conditions.
So you don't have to bother and worry about what treatments can be done to get rid of pockmark acne scars, the best way is to prevent their appearance. This is what you need to do.
Diligently wash your face
Washing your face twice a day in the morning and evening helps prevent pimples that can cause both atrophic and hypertrophic scarring. Use facial soap containing benzoyl peroxide and sulfur which can cleanse acne-causing bacteria on the face.
Don't squeeze pimples
This is a habit that is very difficult to remove for some people, squeezing zits. If you don't want to have pockmarked acne scars on your facial skin, don't squeeze it when you're inflamed especially with dirty hands. Preferably, apply a cream containing benzoyl peroxide or sulfur.
However, if the pimples don't get flat, immediately visit a Skin and Gynecologist specialist (Sp.KK) to get more appropriate treatment for the type of acne you have.
Use sunscreen
Avoiding excessive exposure to UV light from the sun with sunscreens is one way that you can apply to prevent existing pockmarks from becoming less pleasing to the eye. Because the UV light can cause pockmark acne scars to darken and aggravate the wound in the pockmark.
