If you have acne scars on your face, back, chest, arms or other prominent areas, you spend a lot of time noticing them. And that’s exactly what we want to change. Acne is frustrating enough – the long-term effects shouldn’t keep reminding you of that stressful period in your life, or marring your skin.
Acne scars are the result of trauma to the skin caused by acne. There are external factors that can worsen scarring and make it more difficult to treat. Whether you have active acne or are starting to consider scar treatment, we have solutions. Check out our guide to acne scar prevention and management below, and get in touch to learn about laser treatment for scarring.
Causes of Acne Scars
You know that acne scars are caused by acne – it’s right there in the name. Acne scars are either pitted or raised and can occur anywhere that acne takes hold. Scarring changes the texture of the skin (as opposed to just redness or brown spots), and does not necessarily improve as time passes. Scarring actually arises from the body’s attempts to heal acneic skin, as the body produces collagen fibers. Raised scars form when the skin produces too much collagen and the fibers build up. Pitted scars form when the skin does not produce enough collagen.
Whiteheads and blackheads typically don’t cause scarring. Inflammatory acne is more likely to cause scarring because it impacts deeper layers of the skin.
There are ways for individuals to help prevent scarring and care for acne properly, listed below.
Can I Avoid Acne Scars?
Certain factors make skin more likely to scar, including:
- Genetics – Although there’s nothing you can do to change a predisposition for scarring, you can be extra careful with your acne and seek treatment as soon as possible.
- Lack of treatment – If you do not treat your acne, it is more likely to cause scars. Early treatment is always best.
- Picking – Never pick at acne, and try to avoid touching unless you are washing your face or applying topicals. Picking causes trauma and lengthens the healing process.
Treating Acne Scars
Many individuals experience acne during puberty, and don’t immediately treat scars. But scarring can worsen as they age, due to collagen loss in the skin. If you have scars that are making you feel self-conscious, there’s a wide variety of treatment options. Before setting your sights on a specific treatment, it’s best to meet with a professional so that they can evaluate your scars. There are different types of scars which benefit from different treatments – for example, deeper scars may benefit from dermal fillers.
No matter the type of scar you have, it’s likely that laser resurfacing could improve your skin. Gentle laser treatment with the PicoSure Focus helps improve scars and smooth skin texture.* If you’re interested in learning more, schedule a consultation to receive a digital skin analysis. We will show you areas of the skin that will benefit from treatment and help identify potential treatment options. Get in touch today!
*Disclaimer: Please note that there is no guarantee of specific results. Results may vary.