Acne Scars – Types Of Scarring

There are two type of acne scars, scarring caused by increased tissue formation or scarring caused by tissue loss.

Increased Scar tissue formation

Scarring caused by Increased tissue formation (see diagram above, to your right) is the result of keloids or hypertrophic scarring (enlargement or overgrowth) which are both associated with excessive amounts of collagen. Keloids project above the surface of the skin and can form large mounds of scar tissue while hypertrophic scarring doesn’t get as big as keloids but appears in the same form. Increased tissue formation is the less common form of acne scarring and can persist for years, but usually fades in size over time.

Tissue loss

There are several type of tissue loss acne scarring which is far more common than increased tissue formation scars, such as:-

Acne Vulgaris Treatment

Before considering acne treatment of any form, consult your dermatologist, doctor or physician first.

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl Peroxide is one of the most common and successful forms of acne treatment, effective in treating non-inflammatory acne. Benzoyl Peroxide acts by fighting the bacteria that causes acne, acting as an antiseptic and oxidizing agent to reduce blocked pores or comedones.

It is available in a range of gels, lotions, creams and cleansers in non-prescription concentrations of 2.5%, 5% or 10% and is also available in prescription form such as BenzaClin, Benzamycin, and Duac.

Benzoyl Peroxide is safe to use for both adults and children, can be used with other forms of topical treatment and usually takes 2-4 weeks to work. Note: Side effects may occur.

Proactiv Solution

Proactiv Solution is a 3-step acne skin care management treatment developed by leading dermatologists that work together to heal and clear acne. This is a preferred method of some celebrities and comes in renewing cleaner, revitalizing toner and repairing lotion form. Results have proved to be excellent and pretty effective in dealing with mild or non-inflammatory acne.

Acne Tips – Self Treatment

1) Washing/Cleaning Acne

Wash your skin in a gentle manner either with a mild cleanser/soap or with fresh, clean water, once in the morning, once in the evening and following any form of exercise.

Wash your face, back, chest or neck, all infected areas of acne thoroughly but do not scrub clean or rub your acne as this can inflame tissue.

Make sure you rinse yourself thoroughly too and use clean, fresh cotton towels if possible, patting infected acne areas gently.

Ask your physician or doctor for advice on what cleanser to use.

2) Don’t Scrub Your Acne

When washing or cleaning infected areas, don’t scrub your acne as this will only inflame the affected areas and could lead to permanent scarring or prevent your acne from healing quicker.

3) Don’t ‘Pick’ Or ‘Pop’ Your Zits

One of the common acne myths is that picking at or popping spots will heal the acne quicker – wrong! As with scrubbing, don’t do it as again, this will only serve to inflame affected areas and will in fact, slow down the healing process.

Acne The Truth

1) Poor hygiene can cause acne

Acne is not caused by dirt or oily skin. You can actually make your acne worse by washing infected areas regularly and or scrubbing hard. Wash your skin gently twice daily as normal, using mild soap and patting dry the infected areas with soft clean towels.

2) Squeezing acne spots

Squeezing your acne spots, blackheads or pimples will not reduce or clear up your acne any quicker. Doing so could leave permanent scarring and cause further inflammation.

Anti-Wrinkles Treatment

Before considering on a course of wrinkles treatment you should consult with your doctor, physician or a skin care professional. Please note some forms of treatment may cause side effects.

There are 4 types of treatment available to combat and fight off wrinkles such as fillers and injectable treatments, prescription topicals applied to the skin, skin resurfacing which is again applied to the skin, and lastly surgery.

Fillers & Injectables (injected into skin)

Botox

A powerful form of anti-wrinkle treatment that consists of a low dose of toxin and works by immobilizing muscles that cause lines and wrinkles. Treatment lasts 3-6 months and is effective for crows-feet, lip and nose wrinkles, frown lines and forehead lines.