For most people, acne is a teenage affliction that can cause a few embarrassing days at school, but is gradually forgotten in adulthood. For many others, however, the vestiges of acne linger on in the form of permanent, highly noticeable scarring. These scars can cause you to lose your self-confidence and lead you to constantly worry that others are staring at you, crippling your personal and professional potential. Thankfully, there are treatment options available through cosmetic dermatology, with individual plans largely depending on the type of acne scars in question.
Ice-Pick Scars
Ice-pick scars look like tiny potholes dotting the skin of your face. Although relatively small and innocuous on their own, acne sufferers often have dozens or even hundreds of them. These scars extend deep into the skin, and they may not be treatable without surgery. Punch-out excisions are a common treatment choice and work by pulling the skin around the scar closed. This procedure can lead to minimal scarring by itself, but it is usually much more subtle than open ice-pick scars. Laser therapy, which removes the top layer of skin and stimulates new cell growth, may soften the appearance of these scars but usually will not solve them entirely.
Rolling Scars
Rolling scars are the product of long-term acne, when scarring and aging combine to create large areas of smooth-sided scars. They are very noticeable, but they are also some of the easiest scars to treat. Simple micro-dermabrasion or chemical peel sessions may be all you need to feel comfortable in your own skin, but laser therapy is also an option.
Boxcar Scars
Scars that are not as narrow as ice-pick scars but still have steep edges are known as boxcar scars. They tend to be smaller and better defined than rolling scars, and it may take longer to correct them. Cosmetic fillers can be a good option to deal with this type of scarring without needing surgery, while laser therapy may prove helpful for shallower scars.
Keloid Scars
In most cases of acne scarring, the scar tissue forms a pit in your skin, leaving a hollow space that cannot heal closed. Keloid scars, on the other hand, are created when scar tissue becomes too active, creating lumps of hard, unsightly tissue on your face. Keloid scars respond particularly well to laser resurfacing and can be sculpted away relatively easily. If you have been living with the after-effects of acne for your whole adult life and are tired of worrying about the scrutiny of others, you may be able to find permanent relief with just a few short sessions at a cosmetic dermatology office. Don't hesitate to begin exploring your options today.
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