Acne Scars Treatments in Singapore

Dealing with acne scars can be challenging, and it’s common to explore various treatments. In this article, we aim to provide an educational perspective on acne scars, including their definition, formation, the different types, and available treatment options.

What are Acne Scars?

Acne scars are permanent skin textural changes that occur on the skin as a result of moderate to severe acne. They appear generally as indentations on the skin but can come in different forms. Strictly speaking, skin discoloration due to acne, like redness or darkening of skin, is not acne scarring. Instead, it is known as post-inflammatory erythema or hyperpigmentation/hypopigmentation.

How do acne scars form?

Acne scar formation is almost always due to severe acne. Severe inflammation in the deeper layers of the skin lead to structural changes in the skin, and skin indentation. Ironically, squeezing and manipulating nodular or cystic acne can lead to more severe scarring.
Common areas with acne scars are the cheeks and the temples, where severe acne usually appears.

Types of Acne Scars

Acne scars can appear in 4 ways:

• Boxcar scar – broad, usually rectangular skin depression with steep edges
• Rolling scar – broad, shallow skin depression with sloping edges
• Ice pick scar – deep, narrow skin depression with steep edges
• Hypertrophic scar – raised, bumpy scar

Most people may have 2 to 3 different types of scars when they visit us for consultation and treatment.

How do we treat acne scars in Singapore?

Most people have a combination of scars after suffering from severe acne. Therefore, treatment has to be tailored to an individual’s skin condition after consulting a doctor.

There is no one-size-fits-all package treatment as advertised by many places out there. This broad strokes treatment approach simply does not work for everyone and you may end up wasting your money and time doing treatments that are not even suitable for your scars to begin with.

Most people with acne scars will require a combination of treatments to achieve results. Acne scars can be treated with the following:

• Laser – such as CO2 and PICO fractional.
• Injection – dermal fillers, rejuran S, rejuran healer, radiesse.
• Subcision
• Radiofrequency treatment

Laser treatments for acne scars

When it comes to addressing acne scars, it’s important to make informed choices about treatment options. Laser treatments are one approach to consider, but it’s essential to understand their effectiveness and variations.

Mild laser toning is generally not recommended for treating acne scars as it may not yield significant results.

One effective laser treatment option is the CO2 fractional laser, which is widely accepted for addressing severe acne scars. Another technology worth considering is the Pico laser, a relatively newer approach that can be used to treat acne scars and marks. It is known for causing less damage to the surrounding skin, making it a safer and more precise choice for acne scar treatment.

Additionally, long pulse lasers like the Gentlemax Pro laser can be useful in addressing concerns such as post-inflammatory redness or hyperpigmentation.

It’s important to note that laser treatments for acne scars may require some downtime. The cost of laser treatment for acne scars in Singapore can vary.

Injection treatments for acne scars

Injection treatments, often used in combination with other approaches like subcision and lasers, offer another path for managing acne scars.

Dermal fillers like Juvederm and Restylane, along with treatments such as Rejuran S and sometimes collagen fillers like Radiesse, are utilized to elevate the skin and stimulate collagen production. These injections can aid in skin remodeling and healing, particularly benefiting those with shallow rolling and atrophic scars.

The cost of injection treatments for acne scars in Singapore may vary.

Subcision

In cases where acne scars prove resistant to laser treatments due to underlying scar tissue, subcision is a valuable consideration.

Subcision involves using a needle to manually release fibrous tissue beneath the scar. This procedure reduces skin tethering caused by scar tissue, resulting in an improved appearance of acne scars. Some downtime may be associated with this treatment.

The cost of subcision in Singapore can vary.

Radiofrequency treatment

Radiofrequency (RF) treatment utilizes heat energy to promote skin remodeling and improve scars.

Techniques like thermage, Venus RF, and microneedling RF are options for enhancing the appearance of acne scars.

In conclusion, acne scars are a complex concern that should be approached holistically. Before initiating any treatment, it’s important to undergo a thorough consultation and assessment with a doctor. Keep in mind that many individuals with acne scars may require a combination of treatments to achieve optimal results, as there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Your doctor can guide you in making the most suitable choices for your unique needs.