Why do you have so much acne or pimples on your face? Your skin could have looked better if acne scars were not so visible on your face. These questions always irritate us and make us feel insecure about our appearance. In this blog post, we will clear all the doubts regarding the type and reasons behind the appearance of pimples or acne scars, as well as provide the best laser solutions required to get rid of them permanently!
What are pimples or acne scars?
There are two main types of acne scars: those that are raised on the skin’s surface or those that form when tissue is lost from the acne and leaves an indentation in the skin. In reality, this kind of acne scar indicates that your skin is functioning.
Not only are breakouts from acne painful, but most people who have them also struggle with the marks and scars that acne leaves behind. Since acne scars can remain visible for years after the original outbreak, many people find them to be a serious concern, which is why the right treatment is needed at the right time.
What is the reason behind the appearance of pimples and acne scars?
Acne and pimples usually occur when the body is attempting to heal the acne, and that is how scars develop. Your individual body’s reaction to a wound dictates whether and how much scarring you will have. Collagen is created during the repair process. Scars that are elevated appear when there is an excess of collagen. Loss of tissue results in other types of scarring, such as pits or indentations in the skin.
Let’s learn more about the different types of pimples and acne scars in order to know about the right treatment in detail:
The various kinds of pimples include:
Papules
These little, painful bumps on the skin are called papules.
Blackheads
These are the lumps that gather dust and resemble a dark area with extra oil.
Whiteheads
Whiteheads are little, yellow- or white-coloured pimples on the skin. It often happens when oil builds up in the skin and clogs the pores.
Cysts
A cyst is an enlarged lump that develops when the body’s liquid produces dead white blood cells. It is white or yellowish in colour, and it can occasionally leave scars.
Nodules
These painful, raised, and shaped lumps that penetrate deeply into the skin are called nodules.
Pustules
Pustules have a white and yellow colour combination and resemble red bumps. It becomes larger over time and can hurt the skin if it is repeatedly touched.
Now, let’s understand the different types of acne scars:
When an acne breakout damages the tissues beneath the skin by penetrating deeply, scars are left behind. It’s important to know the kind of scars you are treating because different treatments are more effective for different kinds of scars.
Acne Boxcar Scars
Boxcar scarring comes in two flavours: deep depressed scarring and shallow atrophic scarring.
Resurfacing treatments will work better on shallower scars; almost all skin types respond well to microdermabrasion and mild peels.
Scars from Ice Pick Acne
Because of its narrow V-shape, an ice pick acne scar is a depressed scar. They may also resemble tiny holes that resemble scars from chickenpox. Because of how deeply these acne scars pierce the skin, they are among the hardest to treat. Additionally, they are most noticeable on the forehead and upper cheeks.
Rolling Wounds
Atrophic acne scars, such as rolling scars, are characterised by an indentation in the skin that develops as a result of insufficient tissue regeneration during the healing process. The scars begin as large indentations that typically have rounded edges and an uneven, rolling shape.
How can you prepare for the laser treatment of pimples and acne scars?
To guarantee the best outcomes, you should follow a few pre-treatment guidelines before receiving laser treatment:
- Consult your dermatologist to determine if laser treatment is a good fit for you.
- Stay out of the sun for as long as possible, two weeks prior to treatment.
- Give up taking aspirin, vitamin E, or ibuprofen-containing supplements or painkillers, as they can cause clotting.
What laser treatments are advised to treat pimples and acne scars permanently?
In order to treat acne scars, laser therapy uses light to break down the top layer of scar tissue and promote the formation of new, healthy skin cells to cover the damaged area.
Although acne scars cannot always be completely removed, this treatment can lessen their visibility and ease their discomfort. This treatment might not be right for you if you have very wrinkled skin, dark skin, or active acne.
- Alma Q Laser: Alma Lasers created the ground-breaking laser to tackle stubborn and serious problems. Specifically designed to address bacteria, dead skin cells, and excess sebum, the laser system targets them all. This is a nearly painless procedure that doesn’t require needles, numbing agents, gels, or long sessions.
- Secret RF: Fractional Radio Frequency (RF) energy is delivered by microneedles via RF to different layers of the skin, including the deeper layers where treatment is most effective. The scarred problem areas beneath the skin are heated by radiofrequency energy, which is delivered by microneedles to activate new collagen and elastin in the tissue.
- Fractional CO2 lasers can be used to treat moderate-to-severe atrophic acne scars; macular, superficial, and medium-depth scars respond well to this type of treatment; however, deep and ice-pick scars may only slightly improve.
- Chemical peels: The top layer of ageing skin is removed using specific chemicals in this treatment. When the outermost layer is removed, the resulting new skin is usually smoother and less scarred.
- Microdermabrasion: Like dermabrasion, microdermabrasion removes the outermost layer of skin using a specialised machine.
- Laser resurfacing: Under the skin, a laser applies heat to the collagen that has been scarred. This uses the body’s wound-healing mechanism to produce fresh, robust collagen. In order to replace it, this promotes the growth of new skin.
How many sessions are required to get permanently rid of pimples and acne scars?
Any cosmetic procedure should be undertaken with realistic expectations, both for the potential results and the post-procedure skin care that will be needed. You will need to focus extra attention on your skincare in the weeks and months that follow your laser treatment. For instance, you should use sunscreen before leaving the house because your skin will be more vulnerable to sun damage. For six to eight weeks, you might also need to refrain from tanning and other activities that require a lot of sun exposure.
Why are laser treatments beneficial for treating pimples and acne scars?
To treat pimples and acne scars, various products or skincare are available, but in order to treat acne scars, laser therapy uses light to break down the top layer of scar tissue and promotes the formation of new, healthy skin cells to cover the damaged area. Although acne scars cannot always be completely removed, these laser treatments can lessen their visibility and discomfort.
Are there any risks or side effects from the above procedures for treating acne scars and pimples?
There are certain side effects included in acne scar and pimple treatments:
- Skin colour changes and scarring are possible serious side effects.
- To minimise the visibility of deeper scars, the doctor will apply a chemical solution to the scar tissue, removing the outermost layer of skin in the process.
- It is possible that the skin starts to swell after the treatment for a few days, but it is very common for it to appear, and the dermatologist suggests an ointment after the treatment to reduce swelling.
What after-cares are recommended after the laser treatments for pimples and acne scars?
There are certain precautions required after the laser treatments for pimples and acne scars:
- Observe the post-treatment advice provided by your dermatologist.
- On the skin that has been treated, apply sunscreen daily.
- Stay out of the sun and avoid tanning.
- As advised by your dermatologist, wash the treated area of skin.
Conclusion:
If you are dealing with excess pimples or acne scars, there is a permanent and safe solution for you with laser treatments that are completely safe and ensure a guaranteed result with minimal pain and downtime.
Our eEpiderma Cosmetology & Laser Clinic provides treatment with board-certified dermatologists and skin therapists who examine the patient’s skin before executing the right treatment.
