Dermatologists have found that family history plays a big role in whether a person develops acne scars. The genes we inherit make some people more likely to scar. Severe acne also makes it more likely that scars will develop.
Treating Acne Scars
Treating acne scars is a personal decision as everyone has different opinions and reactions to acne scars; what is tolerable to one may be distressing to some one else.
Some factors should be taken into consideration when considering acne scar removal:
- Frequent desire to eradicate the scars
- A feeling that the scarring prevents dating, job opportunities or promotion
- Interferes with educational achievement
- Loss of self-confidence
- Being overly self conscious of the scars.
Scar Removal Thinking Points
Acne scar removal can be expensive and in countries with no free at the point of access health care medical insurance will not cover the cost of removal.
If self funding get an estimate, or better still a quote for their removal.
Acne scar removal may require more than one treatment and frequently it needs a few sessions to complete. It is also vital to have realistic expectations of what removal can achieve, it will not for instance restore the skin quality to before the acne eruptions but treatment will make a great improvement in the appearance of your skin. Be sure to ask the family doctor or dermatologist what it is possible to accept.
Active Acne and Scar Treatment
While it may be possible to treat scars when suffering from acute Acne it is preferable to treat the acne first and to get it under control before starting to treat the scarring. This is because a new acne outbreak will cause more scarring.
Prevention of Scarring
Early treatment is essential in the prevention of acne scar formation; delays in treating acne make it more likely that the condition becomes severe leading to scarring in those individuals who are susceptible.
Family doctors, pharmacists and dermatologists can offer advice on the best acne remedies.
Over the Counter Products
Creams and gels sold over the counter at pharmacies may reduce the appearance of the scar but will not entirely erase them. They are effective at reducing shallow scars, treating discoloured skin and perhaps reduce raised scars by a small amount.
Microdermabrasion and skin peeling products are not recommended for use in the home treatment of scars as they can increase the appearance of the scars and may cause unwanted and unexpected skin reactions.
Best Treatments for Acne Scars
There can be no best treatment for all acne scars as they appear on different parts of the body, are of differing shapes and depths so a dermatologist will first assess the skin type and the severity of the scarring as well as its location on the body.
Mild acne scarring may respond well to chemical peels, microdermabrasion and laser skin resurfacing. Laser resurfacing can also be used after other treatments to improve the skin’s texture.
A dermatologist will recommend the best treatment options but one thing is sure that acne treated early will reduce and even prevent scar formation. So it is always best to seek early intervention from a dermatologist.
Sources
Rivera AE. “Acne scarring: a review and current treatment modalities.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology October 2008; 59: 659-76.
Zurada JM, Kriegel D, Davis IC. “Topical treatments for hypertrophic scars.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology December 2006; 55: 1024-31.
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