As we age, acne scars usually become more prominent because our skin loses its collagen. The key to effective treatment is to pick the best one for each scar type. For example, a patient who has some deep scars may benefit from getting filler, which adds volume to the skin. This may be followed by laser treatments. The best person to decide the type of treatment is a dermatologist. Dr. Sudha Vani has vast experience in tackling the complex issue of acne scars, and she is one of the top Dermato-cosmetologist in Hyderabad who can give you the right advice.

Before getting the treatment for acne scars, it is important to clear your acne. New acne breakouts can lead to new acne scars as it means you have inflammation which can reduce the effectiveness of treatment for acne scars.
 

Almost everyone can get acne scars, but certain conditions and some people are more prone to get them.

The risk increases when a person has

• Inflammatory (swollen, reddish, and painful) acne, such as acne cysts and bulges. This type of acne tends to penetrate deeper into the skin, which damages it. 
• Delays or does not manage inflammatory acne. The longer a person has inflammatory acne, the greater is the risk of scarring.
• Picks, squeezes, or pops acne. This increases redness, which in turns increase the risk of scarring. 
• Has a blood relative who developed acne scars as genes play a substantial role.

Waiting to manage acne until it becomes severe can lead to critical scarring.

When acne breakouts puncture the skin deeply, they harm the skin and the tissue underneath it. As the acne clears, the human body tries to rectify this damage itself.During the restorative process, the body produces collagen a fiber that gives skin required support and cushioning.If the body generates too less or too much collagen, you will experience a scar.

Depressed acne scars: If the body generates too little collagen, depressed cavities or pits might form as the skin heals.

Raised acne scars: Sometimes, the body produces too much collagen as it tries to heal the skin and its underlying tissues. When this happens, a person may develop a raised acne scar.

Dr. Sudha Vani at Sri Skin and Cosmetology Centre examines your scar decides on which treatment modality is best for you.
There are multiple methods to treat like:

• Acne scar surgery: This is a minor surgery to treat very noticeable acne scars. The goal is to create a less noticeable scar. The remaining scar should fade with time. We lift the scar, bringing the scar closer to the surface of the skin tends to make it less noticeable. Another type of acne scar surgery includes splitting up the scar tissue. It is best for treating a few depressed scars.

• Resurfacing procedures: Resurfacing removes the dead layers of the skin, which supports the body to generate new skin cells. We use the following resurfacing procedures to treat depressed acne scars

1.Laser skin resurfacing

2.Chemical Peeling

3.Dermabrasion 

4.Microdermabrasion (differs from kits bought for at-home use)

Resurfacing works fine for treating acne scars and blemishes that are flat (not too deep). They are best for the depressed acne scars that are not deep.

•  Skin fillers: We use this type of treatment to plump depressed acne scars. Many fillers give temporary results, which last between 6 and 18 months. Some fillers are permanent.Both interim and permanent fillers have unparalleled pros and cons. If this is a treatment option for you, be sure to ask your dermatologist about the pros and cons of the recommended filler. This is best for a few depressed scars, but not ice pick scars.

•  Skin tightening: This is a newer treatment and tends to be more affordable. We use a technology called radiofrequency to tighten the skin. As the skin contracts, depressed acne scars become less pronounced. It is best for depressed acne scars. Sometimes, skin tightening effectively treats deep ice pick and boxcar scars also.
   
• Collagen-induction therapy: This therapy is also known as “needling” or “micro-needling,” this procedure encourages your body to make more collagen. A sterile, handheld needle-studded roller is used across the depressed acne scars to puncture your skin. As your skin heals, it produces collagen. It is best for widespread depressed acne scars.
   
• Electrodesiccation: This procedure uses electric probes to heat the tissue, which causes the tissue to die. This approach may be part of a treatment plan for boxcar acne scars. Electrodesiccation by itself is not an efficient treatment for acne scars. It is best for shaping and decreasing the edges of boxcar scars.
   
• Injections: This can soften and flatten raised, thick scars. Getting the optimum results often requires repeat visits. We use a variety of substances for injections like Corticosteroids. Best for: Painful, raised scars.
   
• Laser therapy: Lasers and other light procedures can manage raised scars safely and dramatically. Helps to reduce the itch and pain, diminish color, and flatten a raised scar. Advantage of laser is it can be done all types of acne scars.

Most treatments can decrease the intensity and visibility of acne scars. With time, many of the treated acne scars fade, making them barely visible. The results depend almost entirely on the knowledge and skill of the person performing the treatment. Our chief consultant Dr. Sudha Vani has 19 years of experience in the field of Dermato-Cosmetology and we offer the protocol based treatment options to help you decrease the appearance of acne scars.

It may seem that acne scars are inevitable; however, there are things you can do to reduce your risk of getting scars like

 The first precaution is to consult a dermatologist for treatment of acne as soon as it starts without delaying, as fewer breakouts you have, the less likely you are to develop acne scars. Treating acne is exceptionally necessary to prevent scarring if you have any of the following

Severe (painful cysts and nodules) acne

Acne that began at a young age.

Blood relatives who have acne scars.

The second precaution is, when the acne clears, continue treatment. Dermatologist s the best person to tell you when to stop treatment.

 Avoid picking, squeezing, and popping. Picking, popping, and squeezing acne can turn a minor breakout into a major problem — a permanent acne wound.

Practice gentle skin care. When acne flares, many people scrub their skin. Scrubbing your skin tends to worsen acne and promote breakouts. The worse the acne gets, the greater your chance of seeing permanent and lasting marks when the acne clears.

After a thorough examination of your skin and type of scar, Dr. Sudha Vani with 19 years of experience on the issue shall devise a plan to treat the scars. The treatment depends on the type of scar. For example, if you have a deep boxcar scar (one that usually looks like a large pore), laser therapy and a type of acne scar surgery called subcision may give you the optimum results.