Acne can be a difficult and debilitating skin condition for people of any age.You may be able to easily find ways to “treat” your acne at home, but real results that are dermatologically sound are something we specialize in here at Savannah River Dermatology!
Why does scarring happen?
When your acne clears, your skin works hard to produce collagen to heal itself. Acne scars are the result of having too little collagen in the skin, creating a depression in the skin.
Some people are more likely to develop acne scars than others. If you have cystic acne, painful acne, pick your acne, or have a relative with acne scarring, you may be at increased risk for scarring.
Is there a way to prevent scarring?
- Treat acne when it first occurs and continue treatment even after it has visibly “resolved.” Preventing acne from happening in the first place is the easiest way to prevent acne scars.
- Refrain from popping or picking acne. Doing so causes additional inflammation which increases the chances of scarring.
Types of Acne Scars
- Ice Pick Scars: Narrow, deep pits that resemble small puncture wounds.
- Boxcar Scars: Wider depressions with sharply defined edges.
- Rolling Scars: Broad, sloping scars that create a wave-like appearance on the skin.
How We Treat Acne Scars
While acne scarring can fade over time, it will not really “go away” without additional treatment. Your specific skin goals, budget, and comfort level will all play an important role in We offer all of the following treatments that can help aid in reducing the appearance of acne scars.
- Chemical Peels: Applying a chemical peel to the skin helps the body produce more collagen and elastin. When the skin has more of both, depressed acne scars tend to be less noticeable. We use PCA Chemical peels which can range in their strength levels.
- Laser Therapy: Laser treatments can stimulate collagen production, targeting specific types of scars. We offer several types of laser treatments incling HALO/BBL and combination treatments that can help resurface skin and rid skin of acne scars.
- Fillers: This treatment adds volume to depressed scars. Fillers can also help your body produce more collagen and elastin to fill in the scars. Dermatologists use different fillers, which last for varying amounts of time. Most fillers give temporary results, ranging from 3 months to 2 years. A filler can also be permanent.
- Medication: If you have mild acne scarring, a topical medication like a retinoid or salicylic acid can make scarring less noticeable. We can also prescribe oral medications in some cases.
We Want You To Feel Your Best
The bottom line is that acne scarring, while not a painful experience, can cause you to feel less confident. We want you to look and feel your best in your skin! So, if acne scarring is something that bothers you, don’t wait to come see us. We will come up with a treatment plan that achieves the results you’re looking for and leaves you feeling happier.
The information presented in this blog is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Sources for the above information include The American Academy of Dermatology. If you have questions or concerns, please call our office or make an appointment with a medical professional. Savannah River Dermatology is located at 575 Furys Ferry Rd in Augusta, Ga. Our office can be reached at 706-691-7079.
