Minimally-invasive Treatments to Reduce Acne Scars

Acne is an inflammatory skin condition that involves outbreaks of pimples on the face, neck, shoulders, and chest. It is caused by the clogging of pores by sebum or dead skin cells and the growth of bacteria in the pores.

Acne is a common phenomenon and mostly affects males during their teenage years. It adversely impacts one’s aesthetic appearance and leads to poor self-image and esteem. The biggest issue with acne is that even when it subsides, it leaves prominent scars on the affected areas and thus prolongs the problem for the individual.

Fortunately, several cosmetic options are available in the market that effectively reduce the severity of acne scars and diminish their appearance. Read on to know how acne scar treatments in Dubai can help your face become spotless.

Types of Acne Scars

The choice of acne scar treatment largely depends on the type of acne scar you have. Therefore, it is important to understand the major types of acne scars before you start searching for the most suitable treatment that is available.

Atrophic scars

Atrophic acne scars look indented or present as shallow depressions. They appear when the skin fails to regenerate properly after an acne breakout. They come in three forms:

• Boxcar scars

Boxcar scars are caused due to the insufficient production of collagen protein during the healing phase. Over a period of time, the acne lesions sink into the skin leaving oval-shaped, box-like indentations.

• Ice Pick scars

Ice pick scars, as the name depicts, are narrower and sharper than boxcar scars but they go deeper into the skin. Usually caused by infection of oil glands present in the skin, ice pick scars often prove quite difficult to treat.

• Rolling scars

Rolling scars make your skin look uneven. They have softer edges and seem to form wavy patterns. Rolling scars come in varying depths and form as scar tissue develops under the skin.

Hypertrophic scars

They are caused by disproportionate growth of fibrous (scar) tissue and tend to be of the same size as the acne lesions. They commonly appear on the jawline, shoulders, or chest.

Hyperpigmentation

Dark spots and discoloration often descend after an acne breakout. This condition is known as hyperpigmentation – it occurs when skin gets damaged due to severe acne.

Keloid scars

Keloid scars tend to be larger than the acne that caused them. They have a reddish color and appear as raised lumps around the sites of the original acne lesion.

Combination Scars

They occur when different types of acne scars like atrophic, keloid, and hyperpigmentation appear at once. They present a rather complex situation and hence are often difficult to treat.

Acne Scar Treatment Options

Certified experts use the following techniques to treat acne scars.

Laser

The laser emits a high beam of light to remove the outermost layer of the skin. It is also called laser peel as it roots out old skin cells and stimulates the growth of young cells to replace the former.

Chemical peels

This technique involves the application of special chemicals on the skin that removes the superficial layer of skin cells i.e. stratum corneum to improve the skin’s texture and tone, and treat scars.

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion resurfaces the skin by using a rotating device with an abrasive surface. It contours the edges of acne scars to decrease their projection and makes uneven skin smoother.

Microdermabrasion

It employs negative pressure to exfoliate the skin. By cleansing the skin, it reduces the severity of acne scars. Microdermabrasion uses either a diamond-stubbed device or crystals for resurfacing.

Fillers

Dermal fillers containing hyaluronic acid are often used to fill the depressions caused by acne scars. They smoothen the skin temporarily and have to be renewed after a few months.

Skin grafting

During this technique, small pieces of skin are taken from certain parts of the body and grafted on the acne-affected areas to fill the pits left by acne lesions.

Expected Results from Acne Treatments

Various acne treatment options provide the following cosmetic benefits to patients:

• Smoother skin

• Improved complexion

• Reduction or elimination of acne scar depressions

• Glowy skin

• Smaller or contracted pores

• Reduced hyperpigmentation

Need Help?

If you are interested to know which acne scar treatment in Dubai is the most suitable option for you, feel free to contact the Al Shunnar patient care team. Our coordinators will readily schedule a personal consultation session for you with one of our Board Certified Plastic Surgeons.