Acne Scar Removal
To summarize, it is important to book a consultation for a professional skin assessment to determine the correct procedure to treat your acne scars. For hyperpigmentation and skin texture improvement caused by acne scarring, microneedling and chemical peels are recommended, with microneedling being used to address more severe scarring and chemical peels used to address hyperpigmentation and superficial marks. On the other hand red spots on the face, or post-inflammatory erythema from broken capillaries can cause discolouration, which procedures like microneedling and chemical peels cannot address as it is not true scarring or hyperpigmentation, but rather caused by blood vessels. In these instances, laser therapy is recommended and offered using the GentleMax Pro to treat facial redness.
About Acne Scar Removal
Acne scars are indented or discoloured marks on the face which may appear following breakouts due to inflammation caused by acne or trauma to the skin. Acne scars can be pink, brown or indented and vary in severity. These marks are harmless but can be unsightly and cause insecurity. Without intervention, acne scars can be permanent, although they may fade over time. At Vitalize Skin Clinic, acne scars are treated using various modalities including microneedling, laser treatment, chemical peels, or advanced skincare products. All treatments offered at Vitalize Skin Clinic to treat acne scars are safe, minimally invasive, and clinically proven.
What Causes Acne Scars?
Hyperpigmented Acne Scars (known as Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation)
Hyperpigmentation, commonly known as post inflammatory hyperpigmentation commonly occurs after acne scars, resulting in discoloured darkened spots on the skin. This is caused by excess melanin production due to trauma and inflammation, often leftover following acne breakouts. Chemical peels and microneedling help fade these marks by exfoliating the top layer of damaged skin and breaking down the excess pigment to reveal a smoother surface.
Indented or Ice-Pick Acne Scars
Indented acne scars, also referred to as “ice-pick scars” are depressions or textured marks on the skin caused by a loss of collagen. Individuals with textured acne scars are ideal candidates for microneedling, which stimulates collagen production and remodels scarred tissue to smooth out the skin over the course of a couple treatments. Likewise, chemical peels can reduce the appearance of mild-moderate scarring by exfoliating the top layer of damaged skin.
Atrophic and Hypertrophic Acne Scars
Atrophic scars are indented whereas hypertrophic (keloid) scars are raised. Microneedling can be an effective treatment to improve the appearance of both these scars, however it is primarily used for indented or sunken scars.
Redness & Broken Capillaries (known as Post Inflammatory Erythemia)
Broken capillaries are often left following skin inflammation and trauma caused by acne as red marks, commonly confused as hyperpigmentation. Laser therapy performed with the Candela GentleMax Pro can address facial redness by targeting broken blood vessels, causing them to coagulate.