What are acne scars?
Acne scars are permanent marks on the skin that develop after inflammation and healing of acne lesions.
When acne occurs, skin pores can become clogged by excess sebum, dead skin cells, and bacteria. This obstruction can lead to inflammation, and the inflammatory process can cause damage to the deep layers of the skin.
Types of Acne Scars
There are two main types of acne scars:
Atrophic scars
Atrophic scars are depressed scars that appear when tissue is lost during the healing process.
Hypertrophic/keloid scars
Hypertrophic scars are scars that develop when there is excess scar tissue formed during acne healing.
How to eliminate acne scars/marks?
There are creams and lotions that contain ingredients like glycolic acid, salicylic acid, retinoids, and vitamin C that can help lighten acne scars over time. They promote cell renewal and collagen production, gradually improving skin texture.
However, you should bear in mind that these topical products will take some time to take effect and may not be as effective as aesthetic medicine treatments, such as lasers or microneedling, which directly stimulate collagen-producing cells (fibroblasts) in the deeper layers of the skin. skin, thus creating an immediate collagen remodeling response.
The choice of treatment depends on the type and severity of the scars, as well as the patient’s individual needs.
Aesthetic Medicine Treatments for Acne Scars
Morpheus8 and the fractional CO2 laser are two aesthetic procedures that can be effective in improving the appearance of acne scars. Both work by stimulating collagen production and remodeling the skin to reduce the appearance of scars. However, they have different approaches to achieving this goal:
Morpheus 8
Morpheus 8 is a minimally invasive skin rejuvenation technology that combines microneedling with bipolar fractional radiofrequency (RF) energy.
Small needles pierce the skin and apply RF energy to different depths. The RF heat in conjunction with the piercing of the needles causes micro-injuries to the skin that will trigger a response from the body that results in the production of collagen and elastin that will help improve skin texture and soften acne scars.
Fractional CO2 Laser
Fractional CO2 Laser is a procedure that uses a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser beam to create microperforations in the skin. These microperforations stimulate healing and collagen production, leading to skin regeneration in the treated area.
The fractional CO2 laser is especially effective on acne scars as it can treat specific areas of the skin while leaving adjacent areas intact for faster recovery.
There will always be a specialized dermatological assessment, so that we can indicate the most appropriate solution for your specific case (which could be one of the solutions mentioned above or another that the doctor recommends).
How to prevent acne scars?
Better than treating is preventing the appearance of acne scars. Some steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing scars after an acne flare-up include:
- Don’t squeeze the pimples!
- Consult our dermatologist for guidance on proper acne treatment;
- Avoid unprotected sun exposure (sun exposure can worsen inflammation and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which are the red or brown marks that can appear after acne. Use sunscreen daily to protect your skin);
- Keep your skin clean and hydrated;
- Avoid abrasive products (products containing abrasive ingredients or alcohol can irritate the skin and worsen acne lesions).
Schedule an appointment to hear the dermatologist’s recommendation for your particular case and clarify all your doubts.
We are on Av. da Boavista, in Porto!
