From Acne to Acne Scars: How to Treat and Prevent Both

Acne may not be a medical concern, but these unsightly appearances often result in scarring. This can be very detrimental to a person’s confidence and self-esteem. When it comes to these stubborn pustules and acne scars, acting quickly and taking appropriate measures is crucial to achieving and maintaining clear, healthy skin. 

This article explores the causes, prevention techniques, and possible treatments for different types of acne and acne scarring.

Understanding Acne – Causes and Types

Acne is more common in teenagers, but it can affect people of all ages. Acne is typically caused when the hair follicles get clogged with oil and dead skin cells. Some other causes include:

• Germs: Propionibacterium acnes bacteria thrive in clogged pores, causing inflammation and pimples.
• Hormonal Fluctuations: Hormonal changes during puberty, menses, pregnancy, or stress may result in acne.
• Extra Sebum Secretion: Hyperactive sebaceous glands excrete too much oil, causing blocked pores.
• Lifestyle Considerations: Diet, stress, and insufficient skincare routines can irritate the skin and result in acne.

The types of acne can be divided into the following groups:

• Hormonal Acne: Relatively common in adult women, this form of acne is associated with hormonal disparities. It’s mostly seen on the jawline and mouth.
• Inflammatory Acne: Includes pimples, boils, bumps, and cysts. These types of acne include redness, inflammation, and tenderness and may lead to scarring if not cured swiftly.
• Cystic Acne: The most severe form includes intense, painful abrasions full of pus. This type often needs medical intervention and oral medicines like isotretinoin.
• Non-Fermenting Acne: Comprises blackheads and whiteheads activated by clogged pores. This kind of acne can be managed with over-the-counter medicines and regular exfoliation.

Effective treatment requires accurately identifying the type of acne and its related causes. A tailored course of action results in faster healing and may help avoid long-term scarring. 

Top Treatments for Acne

Practice regular and efficient skincare to cope with acne effectively. Some common acne treatments include:

1. Over-the-Counter Medications:

• Benzoyl Peroxide: This antiseptic ointment decreases microbes present on the skin and dries oil. It’s helpful for minor to mild acne.
• Retinoids: Retinoids are extracted from Vitamin A. They speed up cell regeneration, helping to decrease swelling and clean out pores. Some common ointments include adapalene and tretinoin.
• Salicylic Acid: A beta-hydroxy acid that seeps into the pores to peel away dead skin. It’s remarkably efficient in dealing with whiteheads and blackheads.

2. Oral Drugs:
   • Isotretinoin: This salt is commonly known in the market as Accutane. It is a potent drug that can treat the underlying cause of all types of acne, including inflammation and excessive oil production. However, this medicine needs to be prescribed by a physician due to potential harmful side effects. 
   • Antibiotics: Antibiotics like doxycycline and minocycline cure inflammations caused by germs and treat mild to severe acne.
   • Hormone Management: Some medicines, like birth control pills, work by managing hormonal fluxes. Spironolactone is used to treat acne caused by such medicines. It works by decreasing androgen production in the body. 
3. Specialised Therapy:
   • Chemical Peels: This includes using acids like salicylic or glycolic to design remedial peels that slough away damaged skin and make it smoother. These peels can both shrink active acne and heal skin scars.
   • Extractions: To prevent them from turning into active acne, dermatologists remove blemishes, whiteheads, and blackheads.
   • Laser Treatments: Laser therapies are best for dealing with acne and scarring. They kill the bacteria-causing pimples and promote skin healing. 

Preventing Acne Scarring 

Acne scars are largely preventable. Some tips to avoid scarring include:

1. Avoid Picking: Abstain from squashing or picking at acne and pimples. Squeezing acne introduces germs and interrupts the skin’s ability to self-repair. It can cause the infection to go deeper, possibly resulting in more serious inflammation and permanent pockmarks. Place hydrocolloid patches on the acne to avoid scratching and to assist recovery.
2. Speedy Action: Deal with pimples swiftly to decrease swelling and avoid permanent scarring. For mild acne, use topical ointments with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. For persistent or severe acne, refer a dermatologist. 
3. Safeguard Against UV Rays: Sunlight contains UV rays that can worsen scarring and cause skin damage by deepening the discolouration and slowing the recovery period. Use a broad-spectrum, high SPF (above SPF 30), and non-greasy sunscreen to avoid clogged pores. When going out in peak sunlight times, use accessories like hats or umbrellas. 
4. Exfoliate Frequently: To maintain a smooth skin texture and avoid clogged pores, regular exfoliation with alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) can be highly effective. Select concoctions for acne-prone skin. 
5. Tender Skincare: Choose face washes, cleansers, and toners marked for sensitive skin that match your skin type instead of coarse scrubs. Consider sulphate-free and non-drying options. Apply creams and lotions with soothing elements like ceramides or niacinamide. Use natural skin remedies like aloe vera to assist in skin healing.
6. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Consume a balanced diet, drink plenty of water, practice stress management, and daily exercise. These measures help police the body’s hormone production and ease swelling, promoting skin health.

Remedies for Acne Scarring and Marks

There are several treatments for acne scars available in Singapore:

Subcision

Subcision treats depressed dermal scars and wrinkles. It uses a unique hypodermic needle to break fibrotic strands that bind the scars to the underlying tissue. Fibrotic strands are released, and new collagen is deposited, promoting skin recovery. For better results, fillers and laser therapies are used in combination with subcision 

Laser Therapies

• Non-Ablative Lasers: This form of laser treatment corrects the appearance of minor scars by heating the skin without damaging the surface. The heat encourages collagen creation without peeling skin layers. It requires minimum downtime.
• Erbium and Fractional CO2 Lasers: These laser treatments remove damaged skin layers and promote collagen production in the inner layers. They are commonly used to eradicate boxcars and ice-pick scars. 

Dermic Fillers

Temporary solutions include treatments like Juvederm, a Hyaluronic acid-based filler. It is infused into the pockmarks to smooth out the skin by bringing them level to the surrounding skin. The effect is instant but only lasts between 6-12 months. Fillers, like poly-L-lactic acid, present a longer-lasting choice.

Microneedling

Microneedling uses small needles to make supervised micro-wounds in the skin, stimulating collagen production. It’s useful in treating atrophic scars and is recommended to be used with potions that aid skin repair. It requires minimal downtime but several sessions for efficient results. 

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels can be surface-acting to more skin-deep-acting depending on the level of skin damage and the concentration of acids employed. Glycolic acid is a shallow peel and enhances the smoothness and colour of the skin. TCA peels are more intense and treat acute marks. It is crucial to check with a dermatologist to choose the best option for your skin type. 

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

Platelet-rich plasma therapy is a type of regenerative medicine that includes taking the patient’s blood and treating it to strengthen platelets before injecting it back into the skin.  By increasing the natural growth factors found in our blood cells, it clears the appearance of scars. This form of therapy is often used in combination with lasers or microneedling.

Silicone Gels

Silicone gels and sheets are used to treat hypertrophic and keloid scars. The silicone present in these products levels up the skin and slowly reduces scars. This is a non-intrusive form of treatment, best for recent marks.

Aeon Medical’s Expert Services

Aeon Medical and Aesthetic Centre is Singapore’s leading treatment centre for acne and scarring therapy. They provide a variety of complex skincare treatments. Their team of experts deliver customised therapies designed for your skin’s specific needs.

Acne Treatment Facilities at Aeon Medical:

1. Acne Management Programs: Aeon Medical presents thorough acne management programs designed for each client’s skin type and issues. These acne treatment programs merge medical-grade therapies with in-clinic treatments like chemical peels and deep-cleansing facials. Professionals provide regular check-ups to modify treatment plans to maintain results. 
2. Laser Therapies: Light and laser treatments provided at Aeon Medical eradicate acne-producing microbes, ease redness, and reduce breakouts. These treatments are non-invasive and appropriate for patients who want immediate and efficient results with minimum downtime.
3. Chemical Peels: Aeon Medical administers tailored chemical peels to address specific client ailments.

Acne Scar Treatments at Aeon Medical:

1. Fillers and Subcisions: Focused scar revision treatments are especially useful against boxcars and rolling scars.
2. Fractional Laser: Aeon Medical’s cutting-edge fractional laser therapy is perfect for atrophic scars.

Final Thoughts

Dealing with acne and scarring can be tough. For healthy skin, it is advisable to combine daily skincare with professional treatment plans. Begin your journey to clear, glowing skin by contacting Aeon Medical today for your skincare session.