faded acne scars on a black woman

Acne Scaring

DON’T PICK…!

The number one route to avoiding acne scaring is to not pick at your spots. Whilst tempting (we’ve all been there), however there are steps to take if you do find yourself with acne scars.

What causes acne scarring? Acne scars are ‘indented’ areas of the skin where inflammation has caused damage to the collagen and elastin of the skin (the dermis). When our skin attempts to repair itself after a spot, it may result in raised tissue, and uneven texture on the surface. Other times there is a loss of tissue, which leaves skin’s surface rough and uneven.

There are three types of acne scars:

  1. Boxcar: steep round scars that resemble the scars left behind after chicken pox.

  2. Ice-pick: deep, narrow scars, which may resemble large open pores.

  3. Rolling: wide, shallow undulations in the skin caused by damage beneath the surface.

Light reflects off the scars, creating shadows, and that’s what makes them noticeable. Acne scaring is difficult to treat at home and acne scars do not go away entirely on their own but the good news is there are treatments available to help.

Treatments

Improving the appearance of acne scaring takes a lot of time, effort and patience as treatments will need to be repeated to have optimal results but thankfully the results can be long-lasting.

The Microneedling Facial 

Usually offered as a course of three or six, miconeeding is an effective treatment for improving skin texture. At Aion, we recommend The Microneedling Facial which uses SkinPen, a trusted choice of leading dermatologists and estheticians and recommended by 90% of clinical trial patients - see before and after photos.

Most people will see improvement in their skin in the first month after their first treatment of SkinPen and clinical trials have shown skin to continue to improve for up to six months after a SkinPen treatment.

After years of acne and a course of roaccutane, I had a course of four treatments using SkinPen micro-needling and found that my skin was the best it had ever looked so it’s a treatment I knew I had to bring to my clinic at Aion.

The Signature Facial 

We recommend The Signature Facial to all new clients of Aion as it’s a great way for our therapists to understand your skin, its unique needs and to put together a treatment plan. Our first treatment will be tailored to use and can include extractions, peels, exfoliation, multi-masks, deep pore cleansing, sculpting and buccal massage, and more. The final step is Dermalux LED light therapy, to boost results, reduce inflammation and promote fantastically rejuvenated-looking and feeling skin. Following your treatment, your skin will feel deeply cleansed, nourished, hydrated and bright.

FAQs on Acne Scars

  • A good skincare routine, acne treatment, and avoiding certain habits can help prevent acne scars. The sooner you address your acne, the lower your risk of such blemishes turning into scars. Using appropriate over-the-counter treatments or seeking advice from a dermatologist for prescription options can help and as a minimum, resist the urge to pick or pop your spots. When you pop a spot, you push bacteria deeper into the skin, causing more inflammation, and increasing the risk of scarring.

  • Some severe acne scars may not fade without treatment but mild (and even moderate) scaring can fade with the right treatment and perseverance.

  • Professional treatments like SkinPen microneedling and chemical peels can significantly reduce their appearance.

  • Scars may naturally fade slightly over time, but they will likely not disappear completely without treatment. Prevention is your best bet if you want to avoid scaring in the first place.

Acne scarring is caused by damage to skin tissue as a result of severe acne. This damage can range from mild discoloration and texture changes, to deep pits or raised scars. Acne scarring can be difficult to treat and may not completely fade without professional help. Treatments such as SkinPen microneedling, chemical peels, and laser therapies can help to reduce the appearance of acne scarring. Prevention is key, so it is important to take care of your skin and address acne as soon as possible to help reduce the risk of scarring.

Contact hello@aion-aesthetics.com if you have any questions.