Posts

Acne Scar Treatment

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.

If your acne has subsided and you end up left with scars — typically lumps or uneven bumps — you may want to seek effective remedies in reversing the condition. Here are a few typical acne scarring treatments available in Singapore skin clinics.

Laser treatment: A nonsurgical procedure, where your skin is exposed to laser beams that provide high levels of energy. This removes the outer layers of skin and heats up the skin, and stimulates regeneration.

Radiofrequency microneedling: This is comparable to laser therapy, except that insulated microscopic needles and radiofrequency are used rather than lasers. These direct the energy to targeted spots. These are offered under brand names such as Infini and Venus Viva.

Chemical peels: Sounds gross, but it is only an acid solution that is applied to the skin to slough off the surface. Remember how we mentioned creams with salicylic to help exfoliate skin? Think as an amped-up variant of that of chemical peels. Based on the solution it could be sold under a brand name such as TCA Cross or as a chemical peel that is generic.

Subcision: This is a surgical process to bumpy skin with depressed scars. A needle is inserted to break down the scar tissue, elevating up the scar .

Punch excision/grafting: This one is kind of a”cut & paste” method. The scar not unlike a cookie cutter cuts . Then a plug of skin is used to fill the emptiness up. The graft is held in place with steri-strips sutures, or a unique skin glue.

Dermal fillers: Not especially a acne scar remedy, but frequently provided by skin clinics to plump up the epidermis and make it appear younger and smoother. In the process, a protein called hyaluronic gel is injected beneath the skin’s surface. It marketed under brand names such as Juvederm and Restylane.

Whether you are suffering from tissue scars or hypertrophic scars, getting the best treatment to get rid of these acne scars can be the most important thing for you. Some acne scars can be permanent while some can go away with time. But if the acne scars that you have on your face are making you embarrassed and self-conscious, then you must think about the ways by which these can be treated effectively.

Types of acne scars that you can get

If you want to have the best acne scar treatment Singapore, then you must know about the types of treatments that you can get at clinics. Following are some different treatments which are being used to minimize the appearance of acne scars:

1. Chemical peels

2. Laser

3. Filers

4. Skin Grafting

5. Punch excisions

Chemical peels

Chemical peels can also be used to decrease the appearance of your acne scars effectively. A chemical peel can be administrated by whether a doctor, nurse practitioner, or a nurse. In this process, a chemical will be used to apply on your skin to remove its outer layer to give your skin a smooth and an even look. But having this treatment you may have redness after a few days of your treatment.

Laser

Laser treatment can also be used to treat your acne scars. Your dermatologist may use laser treatment to remove the outer layer or counter area of your acne scars. Various types of lasers are being used for this treatment, and the use of one depends on the type and degree of your acne scars.

Fillers

In some specific type of acne scars, the fillers can be used to minimize the appearance of the acne scars. As fillers have the ability to be absorbed into your skin. A substance such as hyaluronic acid, fat or collagen can be used to fill certain types of acne scars, particularly those which are resulted as a depressed appearance of the skin.

Skin Grafting

In the process of skin grafting, a doctor may pick a small piece of your skin and use that to fill the acne scars of your skin. The skin which is being used for this treatment is usually taken from the area which is behind your ear. This way of treatment can also be used with other acne scar treatments with ease.

Punch excisions

This is a type of skin surgery which is being used to remove the acne scars that you have on your face. In this type of treatment, acne scars can be removed by individual excising or by cutting out the scars. The hole which is left can be repaired with skin grafting or stitches.

You must learn about the treatments which can be used to remove or reduce the appearance of these acne scars and by which you will be able to get clear and fresh skin with ease. The acne scars treatments are not cure-alls typically and are not being covered by insurance commonly. But these can be the most beneficial to minimize the appearance of acne scars.

Tag: acne scar treatment singapore, acne scar removal singapore, acne scars laser singapore

The worst nightmare teenagers mostly face are the acne or a potential breakout when you wake up in the morning and getting ready and suddenly you notice a pimple. Oh, the entire day is ruined. Nevertheless, there are good days also, where your pimple is heading towards its end and you are very happy about it. The last thing you want to see now is the acne scar, what if the acne scar still remains and gives you a bad vibe? Don’t worry, we are here to save you, there are many acne scar treatments Singapore that can help you in getting rid of the reminder of that horrible pimples. These can help to smoothen the skin and to minimize the appearance of the scars.

If the scars are disfiguring and severe and it affects you emotionally then you can easily go for opting any of the following acne scare treatments Singapore:

1. Dermabrasion:
This is extremely effective acne scar treatment, it utilizes a high-speed brush or some other instrument to provide you with a smooth surface of the skin and reduces or even remove the depth of the acne scars. Though these are effective but they may need to heal for several days after the treatment.

2. A less-intensive treatment:
If you are looking for less intensive dermabrasion then micro-dermabrasion can help you. It will smooth your skin by a spray of extremely small crystals. The aesthetician or dermatologist will perform the procedure and it might take more than one treatment to achieve the desired results also there is no downtime.

3. Chemical peels:
You should consider these things before having a chemical peel applied to your face. Chemical peels help to decrease the appearance of light acne scars and hyperpigmentation around the healed acne bruise. A chemical is applied to the skin to discard the outer layer while giving it an even and smoother appearance. However, you may feel redness and skin peel for a few days after the treatment depending on the acid used.

4. Lasers:
Lasers also take more than one treatments and it may take more days to heal. It is used to remove the outer layers of the skin, for contouring acne scar areas and for lighting the redness around the healed acne. The type of the laser used in the process will depend upon the acne scar which can be flat or raised.

5. Fillers:
Fillers are used to filling out the acne scars, more frequently those that contribute to the depressed appearance of the skin. Fillers require a substance such as hyaluronic acid, fat or collagen to fill in the scar. The filler injection is repeated every few months because they absorb into the skin eventually. The repeating of the fillers will depend on the type of the product. The downtime, however, is not limited for this treatment.

You can choose any of the above treatments depending on how severe your scars are and how much you are willing to do to eliminate them.

Keywords: acne scar treatment singapore, acne scar removal singapore, acne scars laser singapore