Acne Scarring

 What causes acne scarring?

Acne scars result from the skin’s natural attempt to heal itself. Skin pores that become clogged with dead skin cells slowly fill with excess oil and can allow bacteria to grow resulting in acne lesions, either whiteheads or blackheads. In severe cases an acne cyst can  form.  When these lesions rupture, it results in inflammation and damage to the skin’s surface.  There are two main types of acne scarring, raised scars and pitted scars.  Raised acne scars occur when the skin overproduces collagen in order to repair the skin, while pitted acne scars result when not enough collagen is produced. Many people feel that they have to accept and live with acne scarring but the good news is that there are treatment options available to reduce and remove acne scarring.

 Why treat acne scarring?

Anyone suffering from acne scarring would no doubt agree that it can seriously affect one’s self-esteem, self-confidence and overall quality of life.

Studies on the psychosocial impact of acne have documented dissatisfaction with physical appearance, embarrassment, and self-consciousness. Furthermore, acne is associated with feelings of anxiety, depression, anger, less satisfaction with the body and lower self-worth.  Social dysfunction in relation to acne has also been observed, including concerns about social interactions, public appearances, and reduced employment opportunities.

The good news is that there are many options available today for the successful treatment and removal of acne scarring.

 How are acne scars treated?

At Scarborough Laser Surgery we will often use a multimodal approach to treating acne scars.  Cortisone injections can improve the appearance of raised scars, while dermal fillers (injectables) can be used to lift pitted or depressed scars.  Skin peels can be very effective in smoothing acne scarring.

Various laser treatments are available to treat pigmentation issues and to resurface the skin.  Besides Pearl fractional laser treatment, Dr. Sproule also does what is called a “fusion laser treatment” for deep acne pitting that utilizes several different lasers at once (full laser skin resurfacing).

The number of recommended treatments and the amount of downtime involved with these laser treatments vary.  We will discuss with you which laser treatment would best address your acne scarring and fit your needs and lifestyle.