Acne Scars The Woodlands

Acne scars can be reminders of that painful condition, acne, a skin condition that causes pimples or “zits.” This includes whiteheads, blackheads, and red, inflamed patches of skin (such as cysts). It occurs when pores—tiny openings on the surface of the skin—become clogged, resulting in inflammation and infection. Vedas Medical Spa can help to reduce the appearance of scars. See What is Acne?

What causes acne scars?

Your body forms new collagen fibers to mend the damage to your dermis, a deep, thick layer of skin. The new scar tissue will have a different texture and quality than the surrounding tissue.

Loss of underlying fat or muscle can cause a scar to have a sunken or pitted appearance. Scars can be raised, as keloid scars, caused by your body producing more collagen than the healing needs. We would love to evaluate your situation.

Kinds of scars

• Ice-pick scars are deep, narrow, pitted scars
• Rolling scars are broad depressions with sloping edges
• Boxcar scars are also broad depressions but have sharply defined edges
• Atrophic scars are flat, thin scars or depressed scars
• Raised (hypertrophic) or keloid scars are thick and lumpy.

Lessening acne scars

Scars cannot be completely removed, so your goal is to improve their appearance. Some ways to improve the appearance of acne scars are:

Topical treatments like Vitamin E, cocoa butter cream, and skin care products can soften the feeling of tight skin, but don’t actually reduce acne scars.

Depressed scars—ice pick, boxcar, and rolling/atrophic

• Dermabrasion or physically removing the surface of the skin can help to blend in the scar’s irregularities.
• Microdermabrasion is less invasive than dermabrasion but minimally useful for very superficial scars.
• Laser Resurfacing also removes the surface layers of the skin. Newer types of laser may work on the dermis’s collagen without removing the upper layers of skin. Laser resurfacing will give you the most complete results for widespread scarring.
• Filler injections work on sunken scars by raising them to the level of surrounding skin.
• Fillers are temporary, so you will need to periodically retreat. Collagen, hyaluronic acid, fat grafting, and other fillers can improve depressed scars.
• Microneedling creates tiny punctures in the outer skin to stimulate collagen production that, in turn, makes the scars less noticeable.
• Subcision divides the fibrous band under the skin, allowing the skin to return to its normal position.
• Chemical reconstruction causes a local inflammatory reaction leading to the formation of new collagen fibers. This can help to reduce shadows on depressed scars, making them appear less deep. This is also called TCA CROSS, meaning trichloroacetic acid chemical reconstruction of skin scars.

Raised acne scars

• Surgery may lessen the appearance of depressed scars. Raised scars should not be cut out, because there is a risk of even more severe scarring.
• Steroid injections or topical steroids may help flatten a raised scar.
• Radiotherapy, used superficially and low dose, may prevent a recurrence of severe keloid scarring.
• Cryotherapy or freezing.

Do I have to choose a treatment method?

Dr. Nangrani will decide how best to treat your scars, with excellent effect.

Prevention is the best method

You know how noticeable acne is if you have ever suffered from it. First of all, caring for your skin early and thoroughly may keep you from developing scars. After your inflammation subsides, you can treat the scars that are left.

Anyone can get acne, even babies, but it is most common in teenagers when hormonal changes cause the skin to be more oily. Acne tends to run in families. Dr. Chaitali Nangrani, MD, will suggest treatments based on your individual needs. We usually recommend a combination of microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and skin care for active acne.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Nangrani to discuss your personalized treatment plan

You, our client, are our top priority here at Vedas Medical Spa & Wellness Center. Our North Houston office is only minutes from I-45 (Houston’s North Freeway) in The Woodlands. We offer you a free consultation with Dr. Nangrani and our Spa Director. Together, you will discuss your expectations and design your treatment plan.

Come get acquainted with Dr. Nangrani, our board-certified Medical Director. She has practiced for over 15 years. Please call our office to schedule your consultation at (281) 298-5476.

Photo: istock.com.