By Grant Mya
Acne scars are notoriously hard to eradicate. Any adult who has struggled with an acne episode (or two) during their adolescence would probably know that dealing with active acne is quite easy – it might take a few tweaks in skincare products, hygiene, diet, and lifestyle, but it is doable and with patient and consistency, the results are very likely to be successful. Now, here comes the challenging part: getting the skin back to a clear and healthy state before the acne comes in. Sounds simple enough, right? But in order to treat acne scar, you will need a lot more than using anti-acne creams and serums. There is no magical cure-all that can be used to remove the blemishes, but there are highly innovative treatment options that can save your skin.
Acne scar treatments in Singapore are popular for a reason –they are effective! There are a lot of different facilities that offer these treatments, and one of the most reputable is the Edwin Lim Medical Aesthetic Clinic. This clinic is known for their comprehensive range of medical aesthetic services and their commitment to the use of the latest technology to provide outstanding results with minimal discomfort and downtime. If you are looking for the best among the rest when it comes to aesthetic treatments (including those for stubborn acne scars!), Edwin Lim Medical Aesthetic Clinic is the one for you!
But before you decide to embark on your life-altering, confidence-boosting, skin-changing journey, this article will help you understand which treatment is most suitable for you. The following questions will be answered in this article:
- How does acne cause scars?
- Will I have acne scars for getting acne?
- What are the most common types of acne scar treatments in Singapore?
- Are there surgical procedures for acne scars?
How does acne cause scars?
If you want the best treatment for any condition, you must find the root cause of the problem!
When it comes to acne scars, acne inflammation is to be blamed. This happens when an acne pore grows and “shatters” the surrounding skin tissue. The breakdown results in the appearance of acne blemishes. If the blemishes are miniscule in size, the scars that are created are often shallow and can heal quickly. Deeper, more visible scars are created when more surrounding tissue is affected. The skin then attempts to repair the scar by producing collagen fibers. As the skin initiates the repair job, the effect on the acne scars can vary – either an indentation is formed on the skin’s surface (where the blemish used to be) or a scar is formed slightly raised on the skin. This is a sign that the skin is doing a good repair job, as it is producing the necessary collagen to heal the wound that was caused by the blemish. However, it also means that the skin is doing it a little too well, because the excess collagen results in raised scars.
Will I have acne scars for getting acne?
The type of acne scar that is left on the skin depends on the severity of a person’s acne.
With the exception of a very select few, most humans get mild acne at some point in their lives. These are the blackheads and/or whiteheads that appear on the face or back from time to time. Moderate acne has two sub-categories: the papules (red, inflamed blemishes) and the pustules (red pimples with a white center). Severe acne refers to the appearance of the pus-filled lumps or cysts called nodules. This type of acne is painful and more likely to leave a permanent mark on the skin compared to the other acne types.
No reason to panic, though! Not everyone who gets acne will get acne scars. And if you do, acne scars are not permanent and can be diminished by the right treatment.
What are the most common types of acne scar treatments in Singapore?
Resurfacing procedures – These types of procedures work by gently removing layers of skin to promote skin regeneration. Examples of resurfacing procedures include dermabrasion, chemical peeling, and laser skin resurfacing. Dermabrasion is recommended for shallow scars that are close to the surface of the skin. Chemical peels use a strong acid to remove the topmost layer of the skin, which makes it great for treating deep acne scars. Laser resurfacing is like a combination of the first two options, only with a faster recovery time. This treatment is suitable for all types of acne scars, but not on those with dark skin tones.
Fillers – Depressed acne scars are injected with collagen fillers to give them a plump and filled appearance. Some fillers can last for six months to two years, while others are permanent.
Laser therapy – Laser treatments can safely penetrate the skin to break down the damaged blood vessels that were caused by acne inflammation.
Injections– For raised, thick scars, medication can be injected directly into the skin. You may not see the results instantly, though, as it takes several sessions to get the desired effect.
Are there surgical procedures for acne scars?
Punch excision is a minor surgical procedure for treating acne scars. This involves cutting out the individual scars and then closing the wound using skin graft or stitches. There is another technique called subcision where tiny needles are inserted beneath the skin to loosen tissues under a scar.
To get the best results, acne scar surgery in Singapore is usually followed by another treatment. It could be an injection of acne scar medication (interferon, corticosteroids, etc) or a radiation treatment.
A Word of Advice
While it is tempting to try one or two treatments to get rid of acne scars, you should always consult with your dermatologist first. They would know the kind of treatment that is suitable for your condition, and they will be able to explain in detail the pros and cons of a treatment.
And it is important to remember that not everything that works for others will also work for you! There are different treatments out there that promise instant results but without proper medical evaluation, those might do more harm than good.
If you want to talk about acne scar treatments, you can contact the Edwin Lim Medical Aesthetic Clinic for an appointment.
Edwin Lim Medical Aesthetic Clinic – Dr Edwin Lim
#02-12/13, Changi City Point
5 Changi Business Park Central 1,
Singapore 486038
By appointment only:
#05-51, Lucky Plaza
304 Orchard Road
Singapore 238863
+65 690042218
+65 96372218 (Whatsapp)
