Acne Scarring

Types of Acne Scars

Acne scars are a common skin condition that can cause physical and emotional distress. They occur when the skin produces too much collagen in response to an acne breakout. Primarily influenced by genetic factors, the degree and type of acne scarring a person will experience due to acne varies.

Inflamed skin lesions such as cysts, pustules, and nodules can produce acne scars. Purple, pink, or brown spots are the most common form of acne scarring. Scars appear as discoloured marks when pigment irregularities occur due to the body’s healing process. Pockmarks or icepick scars, depressions in the skin’s surface, are less common and more challenging to treat.

Several options are available to reduce the appearance of acne scars. However, the first step in treating acne scars is prevention. To help prevent further breakouts from occurring, keep your skin clean and avoid harsh products that may cause irritation. Daily sunscreen use is essential because UV rays can worsen scarring over time. Additionally, you should avoid squeezing or picking at existing acne, which can cause further scarring.

Acne Scar Treatment Options

If you have acne scars, several treatment options are available. The right choice for you depends on the severity and type of scarring present.

eMatrix™

Sublative rejuvenation with eMatrix repairs the skin and corrects complexion imperfections, such as acne scars. The treatment precisely delivers fractionated bipolar radiofrequency energy to the deeper layers of the skin, dramatically boosting collagen and elastin production.

During treatment, your skin is targeted with a matrix of fractionated bipolar radiofrequency energy waves. The small dots of heat energy penetrate the skin and damage the tissue in a precise and controlled manner. This damage doesn’t disrupt the skin’s surface, so there are little to no immediate visible effects. However, the body’s natural healing response is triggered in the skin’s deeper layers.

Areas of healthy skin remain around the damaged areas to aid the body’s healing process, producing new skin cells rich with collagen and elastin protein. Healthy cells replace discoloured skin, and the increase in new protein fibres diminishes acne scars.

Sublative rejuvenation with eMatrix is excellent for all skin types and tones. A single session lasts about 30 minutes, with minimal to no downtime. Approved by Health Canada, this treatment has delivered exceptional results for our patients.

You may experience redness and roughness for a few days after your treatment, which can be covered with makeup. As these side effects resolve, boosted collagen and elastin production results appear and continue to improve for up to 4 to 5 months after your session. The uneven textures and discolouration associated with your acne scarring will gradually disappear. For optimal results, a repeat session may be performed.

Microneedling

Microneedling works in a similar way to clear the complexion. Dermapen® 4 offers patients a form of collagen induction therapy, meaning that it stimulates collagen and elastin production to support the dermal tissues as they remodel themselves. The result is smooth, even skin that is healthy, elastic, and more resilient.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels use glycolic and salicylic acid to exfoliate dead skin cells while stimulating new cell growth for smoother-looking skin.

Dermal Fillers

Hyaluronic-based dermal fillers can plump up depressed areas caused by severe acne breakouts. Fillers provide immediate results but require touch-ups every few months to maintain results.

Topical Creams

For milder cases of discolouration or redness, topical creams containing retinoids may help reduce inflammation and gradually lighten dark spots with regular use.