Acne Scarring Need Not Be Chronic
by Beatrice Atlee
| Acne scarring is the principal fear for
acne sufferers. Many people don't understand that the
primary reason for acne scarring is the unhealthy way in
which they handle acne. Pinching or pricking acne spots in
an unhygienic manner damages the skin tissue that is found
in and around the acne spots. When this happens, dead
cells, injured cells and re-infection combine to create a
scar that can be temporary or permanent. |
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Temporary scars usually take a time to heal. They might fade
away after 6 months or take up to two to three years to fade
way. This is the same time as is needed for the removal of
pseudo scars or macules, which are flat reddish spots which
are left on the surface of the skin after the inflamed
lesion dies. Sometimes there is a slight discoloration of
the skin in the vicinity of the inflamed region. This can
last for up to 28 months or more. But it can deteriorate if
the skin is exposed to excessive sunlight.
Scars are mainly caused by the loss of skin tissue at the
site of the acne. The scars which are routinely seen on the
face are also called pick scars. They are small and the
depressions can be shallow or deep. Ice pick scars, if soft,
can be stretched to remove the scar but hard ice pick scars
are unyielding. Ice pick scars over time may change into
depressed fibrotic scars. These are quite deep, have steep
sides and are firm and unyielding. Typically, surgery is
required to remove traces of these scars.
Scarring can also result from excess tissue formation. These
scars are referred to as Keloids or hypertrophic scars, and
are caused by increased collagen production. The
accumulation of collagen can form an amorphously shaped
scar, which is usually about 1-2mm in size.
Several dermatological and cosmetic procedures exist to
eradicate the scar. The simplest method is to inject
collagen in the scarred portion. The collagen lifts the skin
and fills soft scars and small depressions. However, it does
not work as well in filling ice pick scars. In this case,
the treatment needs to be repeated every three months.
However, before injecting collagen the individual should be
checked for allergy. Those found to be allergic should then
opt for autologous fat transfer. They can also consider
dermabrasion and microdermabrasion, two latest techniques
that are used for erasing acne scars.
Beatrice Atlee is the Webmaster of Health and Fitness
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