Acne and Scarring

Acne and Scarring

Let's face it acne and scaring go hand in hand. Now you can suffer from mild acne and your scars will be barely noticeable and will fade with time or you can have severe acne and suffer from pock marks and long term scaring.

Scarring is the body's natural healing process when the dermis is damaged. The body lays down a layer of collagen fibers which is a protein produced by the body. The body cannot regenerate the tissue exactly how it was so the new tissue will have a new texture, color and inferior quality than the surrounding tissue. The scar tissue may be more sensitive to light and to the touch.

The amount of scar tissue depends on the severity of the wound. In the case of acne, the skins scar tissue depends on the type of acne you have. Most white heads form a small layer of scar tissue that will fade over time. There may be slight discoloration but that can be treated with many over the counter products. These products generally come in the form of creams and gels. They soften the skin and reduce the visual effects of the scar. This form of scar treatment is far less expensive than surgical procedures and recommended for minor scaring.

Cystic acne on the other hand tends to cause pock marks (craters on the face) due to tissue damage under the skins surface. The white blood cells will fight the bacteria trapped under the skins surface causing infection. The infection is what produces the puss excretions and damages the underlying tissue. Those who have drained their own acne cysts understand this. The craters can be temporarily treated with collagen injections. This will fill the hole but must be repeated regularly to maintain the effect. Laser treatments and dermabrassion removes the top layer of skin which help flatten the raised skin. Redness will occur and your skin will be sensitive but this will subside within a few months.

There is no permanent scar removal. Once your skin is damaged it is permanent. Laser treatments, dermabrassion, and over the counter creams and gels are just an attempt to lessen the visual effects of the scar so it is not as noticeable. Some creams can do this on minor scars and stretch marks but have their limitations when it comes to major scaring. One should consult a dermatologist before attempting to treat any severe acne scarring and get a second opinion as well. The appearance of the skin is what someone has to live with for the rest of their life; they should not take any surgical procedures lightly.

The trick to treating scars is prevention. Don't sit around and wait until it's too late. There are many acne treatment systems that will reduce if not eliminate your acne. Believe me they are worth every penny if they can prevent the psychological effects acne scaring will have on you for the rest of your life.

Why suffer when you can treat it?