Treatments to Remove Acne Scars in Tampa, FL

What are Acne Scars & What are the Causes?

Acne scars are scars that are caused by inflamed acne blemishes, also known as pimples. Acne scars take two main forms: when irritation or picking of a blemish results in a loss of tissue, an indented scar occurs; or, a raised scar – also known as a keloid scar – grows on the skin’s surface, as a result of excess collagen production during your body’s healing process. Acne scars can occur anywhere on the body where blemishes occur, but acne scarring of the face is most common, and also most commonly results in self-consciousness and lowered self-esteem.

Different Types of Acne Scars Explained

There are two different types of acne scars: atrophic scars, which are indented, and hypertrophic or keloid scars, which are raised.

Atrophic acne scars come in three different forms: ice pick scars, rolling scars, and boxcar scars. Icepick scars, most commonly found on the forehead and cheeks, look like the tool after which they are named: they are wider at the top, and narrow to a point deeper within the skin. Rolling scars have sloping edges, causing the skin to have an uneven appearance, and are usually found on the jaw and lower cheeks. Boxcar scars, often found on the lower cheeks and jaw, are indents with sharp edges that extend deep into the skin.

Keloid and hypertrophic scars are raised from the skin, and are most commonly found on the jawline, chest, shoulders and back. This type of scarring can sometimes be itchy or painful.

What are the Best Treatment Options for Acne Scars

If your acne scars cause self-consciousness, lowered self-esteem and anxiety about the way others may perceive your appearance, there are a number of non-surgical cosmetic options offered at Egozi Plastic Surgery that can help diminish or eliminate them.

Soft Tissue Fillers

Injectable soft tissue fillers are an excellent way to diminish the appearance of acne scars. The type of injectable you choose will depend on the type of acne scarring you have, as well as the severity of your scarring.

Juvederm and Restylane are hyaluronic acid fillers that are used to create volume on the face. By improving skin’s overall volume, Juvederm and Restylane can help to minimize the appearance of the more shallow types of acne scarring (boxcar and rolling scars). These types of fillers can be used on deeper icepick scars, but they may not be as effective.
Radiesse, another type of filler, is made of calcium-based microspheres. Like Juvederm and Restylane, Radiesse also adds fullness to depressed areas of the face, including areas where acne scarring has occurred. It may be more suitable for deeper acne scars, and is highly effective on shallow scarring, as well.

Sculptra is a filler made of poly-L-lactic acid. It is used to stimulate the production of collagen, which can minimize the appearance of acne scars.

Soft tissue fillers are an affordable way to minimize the appearance of acne scarring, with results that are almost immediately visible, and no downtime. However, you will require multiple follow-up appointments to maintain the results of your injectable soft tissue fillers.

Laser Resurfacing

Laser resurfacing, a type of treatment that uses a laser to minimize or eliminate skin imperfections, is also a suitable approach, especially for those who have keloid scarring. This type of treatment not only removes the outermost layer of skin, but also stimulates the production of new collagen, which improves the appearance and smoothness of skin overall. Some redness and irritation is possible following a laser resurfacing procedure.

Chemical Peel

Chemical peels, which use chemical solutions to gently remove the outermost layer of the dermis (the skin) and to stimulate collagen production, can help minimize acne scarring by encouraging the production of new, scar-free skin tissue. 

Skin Needling

Skin needling is a non-surgical procedure that uses small needles to create tiny holes in the skin. Like chemical peels, skin needling encourages the production of new collagen, which can help eliminate the appearance of scarred skin. 

OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox)

Botox is a popular type of skin filler that is most commonly used to temporarily diminish the appearance of wrinkles. Botox works by relaxing the muscles below the skin, which results in a smoother, more even appearance overall, thus minimizing the appearance of acne scars. 

Home Skincare

It is important to have a home skincare regimen to help maintain the overall health of your skin. However, home skincare products are unlikely to offer the drastic, immediately visible results that cosmetic procedures will produce in reducing the appearance of your acne scars.

Some home skincare options to help reduce the appearance of acne scars include using a retinol product, which can help stimulate cell regeneration. Topical hyaluronic acid may improve your skin’s fullness. Using a moisturizer regularly, gently cleansing your skin, and avoiding physical exfoliants, which can cause microtearing and exacerbate acne scarring, can also help improve the overall appearance of your skin. 

Refer to our Blogs Below for More Information!