Acne Scarring and Treatment
What Are Acne Scars?
Acne scars form when breakouts penetrate deep into the skin and cause damage to the underlying tissue. Picking at breakouts and “popping” pimples can also lead to scarring, in addition to causing the acne to spread.
Common types of acne scars are atrophic scars and hypertrophic scars.
Atrophic Scars
These scars are most often seen on the face. They occur when not enough collagen is produced during healing. These scars are identified by their depressed, shallow appearance, and sit below the surrounding skin. Some other names you may have heard describing atrophic scars are boxcar, ice pick and rolling. The terms indicate the different shapes of the depressions left by the scars.
Hypertrophic Scars
These scars are seen more often on the chest and back. Unlike atrophic scarring, these scars are caused by too much collagen production during the healing process and result in raised areas above the level of the surrounding skin.
How To Combat Acne Scars
First, the skin must be clear of active breakouts. Some acne medications and therapies initially cause inflammation, which can lessen the effectiveness of scar treatment. Severe, persistent acne may require prescription treatment options from a dermatologist.
Once the active acne has cleared, a skin care specialist can assess and help create a treatment plan for your specific needs. It will be important to know what type of scars are present, as this will help determine which treatment options are best.
Recommended Products
Our Cosmetic Center recommends skin care products with the following ingredients:
- Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs)
- Lactic acid
- Retinoids
- Salicylic acid
- Sunscreen
Be sure to consult with a skin care specialist or health professional prior to starting any treatment.
Professional treatments offered at our Cosmetic Center include:
- Microdermabrasion
- Chemical peels
- Laser resurfacing
- Microneedling
- Hydrafacials
Sometimes a combination of therapies may be necessary to achieve optimal results.
Call our Cosmetic Center today to schedule an appointment with one of our aesthetic experts to determine which treatment is best for you:
- Roanoke: 540-853-0510
- Blacksburg: 540-951-8885
Acne scars form when breakouts penetrate deep into the skin and cause damage to the underlying tissue.
Our Cosmetic Center has product and treatment options to target acne scarring.
Employees enjoy a 20% discount on many products and services.
