Acne Scarring
What is acne scarring?
Acne sufferers can be left with unsightly scars, which can damage the skin and leave it lumpy and uneven.
Acne scars are generally divided into two types: pigmented scars and physical scars. Physical or 'icepick' scars are the most common and they affect the skin's surface, usually causing an indentation. Pigmented scars do not refer to a change in the skin's pigmentation but an inflamed red scar, usually resulting from nodular or cystic acne.
The scars are harmless but if left untreated, they could prove emotionally and psychologically distressing for the sufferer in the long-term.
How can it be treated?
Our high specification ActiveFX CO2 Fractional laser can help remove or reduce acne scars using the latest laser technology. The laser energy absorbed by the top layers of skin and turned to heat energy, which evaporates small colums of skin which forces all of the skin to peel over next 48 hours. Overtime new collagen is produced which fills out the scar and encourages the skin to heal smooth.
With ActiveFX patients will experience improved skin texture, tone and skin tightening. As with all lasertreatments, you can also expect to see a reduction in pigmented marks and redness.
Will it hurt?
As most patients will have a local anaesthetic to numb the level of discomfort is normal expressed as a 2 or 3 on a scale of 10, where 10 is high. Cold packs are applied immediately after treatment for 1 hour to relieve heat sensation and suppress swelling. Following treatment, you will notice your skin has redness and whilst this last for next 4 or 5 days it is pain free. Despite this, there are no major side effects and you should be able to return to your daily routine immediately after the social downtime.
How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments required depends on the extent of damage to your skin. However, because our ActiveFX is of such a high specification, most persons will achieve significant imnprovement from just a single treatment. More individual advice and information can be provided at time of consultation as each persons has unique skin imperfections and expectations.
When will I see the results?
After your treatment, your new skin will start to regrow and stimulate new collagen over the coming months. Skin should start feeling revitalised and more rejuvenated after the 5th day after treatment and all redness should have gone.
Articles on Acne Scarring
- Acne and what the British Association of Dermatologists say about Acne.
- Acne What Advice Does the British Association of Dermatologists' [BAD] give to Acne Suffe
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- Treatments: Active FX to treat acne scarring My acne started in my late teens - at eighteen or nineteen - and was quite severe. Through my twenties I saw many dermatologists and tried antibiotics and prescribed face washes but with no improvement. The acne did eventually clear up by using RetinA topical cream combined with a relatively high dose of RoAccutane. The side effects were very strong but I was prepared to do anything to clear my skin. For a while I was happy with the results but then I started to get very conscious of the deep scarring left by the acne. I tried microdermabrasions and a different laser treatment but had very mixed results. I heard about Active FX and met a couple of people who had already had it done. It looked promising and I had a consultation with Clinician experienced in Acne scarring and use of lasers. We discussed the problem and the options thoroughly and explained that nothing can totally eradicate acne scarring but he thought he could make a positive improvement. I was quite reassured and knew I would be in good hands, so there I went again, trying one more procedure on my face. ActiveFX treatment is said to continue to work for six months and you continue to see improvements. I have to say this is true. I am happy to see the changes on my face - todate the scars are about 50 per cent faded, my skin tone is even with no more discoloration or patchy areas and it is much smoother. I have had many compliments and positive comments from friends and family since then. I definitely feel a lot more confident and dare not to wear any make-up sometimes, and when I do get my make-up on, I feel much prettier now.
- - Anupa Panjabi, London.
- I have always had acne scarring since I was a teenager and even after going for various treatments, the scarring was still quite deep and unsightly. I went on to have the Active FX treatment which I have to say has shown tremendous results. Within 2 weeks of having this procedure done, all my friends and collegues kept on commenting as how my skin was lovely and much improved. I would definately recommend this treatment to anyone who like me has had very bad acne scarring. The treatment may not remove all the scarring but it definately makes a huge improvement. My self confidence has increased by leaps and bounds, since having this treatment done. Thank you so much to the team at the Skin Medical for pointing me into the right direction and making a difference to my life. -Tamanna Ratti-
- - Tamanna Ratti, Manchester.