Dealing with acne is the most complex thing anyone has to go through. You may survive the acne, but the trouble is not limited to that. The war against acne doesn’t end there. They leave scars on return. And whenever you look at these acne scars, they tell the story of how you failed to survive acne entirely. Those pesky souvenirs can be a result of lousy acne breakout.
In some cases, you might get away with hyperpigmentation, but in most cases, you have to deal with deep indentations in your skin. If you do not take any action against them, these pitted acne scars take a long time to fade away. So, how do you deal with these pitted scars? To give you more information, we have been in conversation with Dr. Rasya Dixit. She is known as the best skin specialist in Bangalore, and she shared her insights on pitted acne scars. So, let’s start by understanding what they are.
What Do You Understand By Pitted Acne Scars?
Medically known as atrophic scars, pitted acne scars are those that form a hollow pit or indention on the facial skin as a result of recurrent moderate-to-severe acne. When you have severe acne, the inflammation can cause your healthy collagen to turn into fibres, pulling your skin inward and leaving scars. This process also damages blood vessels and makes it harder for your skin to produce new collagen in the future.
Types of Pitted Acne Scars
Though scarring may look similar, still there are several distinct types of acne scars:
- Hypertrophic and Keloid Scars: These are the raised scar type
- Atrophic Scar: These are the most common form of scarring, giving you a pitted look
- Rolling Scar: These are typically shallow with soft, subtle edges creating an undulating contour
- Box Scar: These scars are wider with sharply defined edges
- Ice Pick Scars: These usually look like tiny holes, but they go deep into the skin like an ice pick or V shape.
What Are The Ways To Prevent Pitted Acne Scars?
The best prevention is to look for early treatment. However, the rest of the ways to prevent pitted acne scars are listed below:
- Avoid picking and popping pimples as they put you at more risk of scarring
- Use at least SPF 30 every morning to protect your skin
- Instead of using harsh scrubs, opt for a chemical exfoliant to treat current breakouts and prevent future ones
- Use over-the-counter acne treatments to resolve acne spots and scars
The above-listed methods can only help to an extent. To expect effective results on your pitted acne scars and to get rid of them. Consult your dermatologist and plan for more advanced treatments.
Advanced Treatments To Reduce Pitted Acne Scars
- Fractional Lasers: For an extended period, the CO2 laser remained a top choice for treating scars like ice picks or depressions. But it had complications and a long recovery time. Now, non-ablative fractional lasers like Erbium and NdYAG are more popular. They target small areas in the skin, promoting collagen growth without damaging the surface much. It usually takes a few sessions, but the results are promising.
- Microneedling: This is the most popular treatment used to treat acne scars. It is practical to work and give the best results. This method requires less time. You may even get to work with some redness the next day as a consequence of the treatment. This redness usually lasts a maximum of 2 days. This method removes your acne suffering without you taking it off from work.
The procedure starts with topical anaesthesia and creating tiny channels in the skin to stimulate collagen production, improve blood flow, or help skincare products penetrate deeper. The procedure is done with numbing cream, and the device is passed over the skin several times. Typically, three to six treatment sessions are recommended every 8–10 weeks.
- Chemical Peels: Chemical peels are known to be effective in reducing acne scars by exfoliating the outer layer of your skin and promoting cell turnover. The chemical peels commonly used for acne scar reduction are superficial peels such as glycolic, citric, lactic, and salicylic acids.
- Dermabrasion: Dermabrasion is a procedure that uses a rotating instrument to remove the outer layers of the skin, helping you to improve the appearance of acne scars. During the procedure, the top layers of skin are rubbed away, promoting the growth of new and smoother skin. Dermabrasion can be effective for treating shallow acne scars. Make sure you consult your doctor before opting for dermabrasion to reduce your pitted acne scar marks.
There are many options for treating acne scars nowadays, with safer and more advanced techniques. However, preventing and controlling acne in the first place is still the best approach if you are dealing with pitted acne scars.
Tips You Should Follow After Getting Pitted Acne Scar Treatment
After undergoing pitted scar treatment, it is vital to follow these tips to optimize your healing:
- Follow post-treatment instructions
- Be patient and consistent
- Avoid picking or touching the skin
- Keep the treated area cleansed and moisturize
- Use gentle skin care products
- Seek medical attention for concerns
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle
- Consider additional skincare treatments
The Bottom Line
Acne can harm your skin in various ways, such as leaving discolouration, indentation, or raised scars. However, with multiple treatment sessions, you can improve your skin condition and need not stress about how your skin appears. Though pitted scars can be challenging to treat without the help of a dermatologist, make sure you take care of them and consult with the top skincare specialist to look out for your concerns.
You can consult Dr. Rasya Dixit to solve all your doubts related to scars and your skin health. With over 20 years of experience and an incredible approach to dealing with patients and understanding their issues, she has provided treatment to thousands of patients successfully.
She is better known as the top doctor for Acne Scar Reduction In Bangalore. To convert your dream of having clear skin into reality, book your appointment with her by visiting Dr. Dixit Cosmetic Dermatology Clinic in Bangalore today!
