Best treatment for Acne scars
The best treatment for acne scars depends on the stage of the scarring.
Fresh scarring is usually red & raised, as a lump under the skin. This is referred to as hypertrophic scarring. At this stage the scar has not matured and is much easier to treat using an active silicone-based cream.
Howerver, over the next six months, this red mark begins to shrink and contract, because the collagen is pulling it deeper into the skin.
This situation is now terminal leaving behind “depressions” or “holes” in the skin.
These holes may be shallow or deep, when they are referred to as ice pick, box scars or rolling scars.
These stuck-down holes require a resurfacing procedure.
To date only two procedures have been found to be effectice in this condition.
These are :
Chemical peeling:
Here an acid is applied to the skin to remove the uneven layers of skin so that the new skin cells will be smoother.
A compound peel containing Glycolic acid, Azelaic acid, Salicylic acid & Phytic acid is best, because this peel:
Removes skin layers
Prevent new acne
Treat any hyperpigmentation (which frequently is associated with acne scars.)
Acnex® peeling mask is such a compound peel to be used weekly.
Micro-needling:
This is when a roller(Dermarollex® embedded with 200=600 needles is passed over the skin to cut through the fibrous collage, to allow normal healthy collagen to grow into the skin and fill the holes(depressions).
This does involve superficial bleeding but the results are quite good.
There is a down time associated with this procedure.
Regardless of whether a resurfacing procedure is used or only a topical preparation is used, the following ingredients are essential:
Sealing & Hydration:
1. Sealers:
Silicones e.g. dimethicone & cyclopentasiloxane & Hyaluronic acid.
Silicone are inert sealers and very effective in controlling scarring.
Hyaluronic acid works by attaching 1000 molecules of water to each molecule of it. This creates an atmosphere of high moisture that stops the collagen production.
2. Healers:
These are essentially Vitamin C10 %, Vitamin A and antioxidants like Ferulic acid that give the best healing environment to skin cells.
3.
Anti-inflammatory agents:
Salicylic acid 2%, Rutin & Bromelain are very effective anti-inflammatory agents.
Unless the above ingredients are present in a topical scar preparation, the results are not going to be optimum.
One preparation designed with the entire ingredients above is Scar Repairex Ultra.
Frequently it is found that Lasers are used for resurfacing. An important point to appreciate is that Lasers cause a thermal injury to skin and this promotes scarring as seen in burns.
Post-procedure care after resurfacing is critical for a good outcome.
Any controlled micro-injury (resurfacing) should be followed up by providing the best healing environment for the skin.
