No More Acne! What is Acne and How Can You Get Rid of It?

 Acne is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease caused due to oil glands present at the base of hair follicles. It commonly occurs during puberty, though it can occur at any age. Acne is a hormonal condition driven by androgenic hormones that typically become active during the teenage years. This problem is usually caused due to sensitivity to androgenic hormones combined with bacteria on the skin, and fatty acids within oil glands. At Agelock Skin Clinic, the top skin care clinic in Chandigarh, explains to you about acne, its types and treatment options.

Types of Acne Scars

Scarring is the unpleasant side effects of acne but nowadays some treatments are available to minimize the damage caused to the skin. Generally, there are two types of acne scarring:

Depressed or Atrophic Scars – These scars develop as dents in the skin where tissue has been lost. Atrophic scars fall into the following categories:

• Ice Pick Scars – Most of the atrophic scars, around 65-70%, are ice pick scars that are deep narrow scars, which look exactly like open pores.

• Rolling Scars – This scar is caused due to damage under the skin and is usually wider than 4-5mm and leads to shadowing on the skin surface.

• Boxcar Scars – These round scars are similar to rolling or chickenpox scars and are commonly wider at the surface and are often compared with craters.

Keloid or Hypertrophic Scars - The other types of the scar are called keloid or hypertrophic scar in which the skin creates new fibres of collagen, a protein that gives  strength and flexibility to skin. This type of scar is raised above the skin's surface and is the most common.

Popular Treatments for Acne Scar

Dermatologists or skin specialists recommend several treatments to help reduce acne scars, though the treatment varies depending on the skin type of the person and the extent of the scarring.

Laser Treatment - In this process, the uppermost layer of the skin is removed to reveal the underneath younger skin without the use of scrubs or chemicals that help reduce the scarring appearance. The laser treatment is not recommended for everyone because its effectiveness greatly depends upon the acne scarring and a person’s skin type. Besides, this laser treatment may cause a reaction in people with sensitive skin.

Dermal Filler - Skincare specialists may sometime recommend using dermal or soft tissue fillers to reduce the appearance of the scars. A filler, usually a collagen-based product, is chosen by the dermatologist, or fat taken from the patient's body may also be used as an option. Several commercial fillers such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), hyaluronic acid (HA), and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) can also be used. Dermal fillers are usually recommended for atrophic scars but this treatment typically lasts between 6 and 18 months.

Corticosteroids Injections - This treatment is helpful for raised acne scar tissue in patients having either hypertrophic or keloid scars. This treatment involves a series of injections, in which an injection is given once every few weeks after monitoring the results.

Microneedling - In this treatment process, tiny needles are inserted into the skin surrounding the scar. This is done to stimulate the body to make more collagen that reduces the acne scars appearance by smoothing out the skin. Some of the people might experience pain, redness, and inflammation after the treatment but these effects subside with time.

All these are popular treatments that help reduce acne scars and help in improving the skin's appearance. To know about any of these treatments or any other acne scar treatment options, one can contact Dr. Jagatjit Singh Kohli, the leading skin specialist in Chandigarh.