Acne Scarring

Commonly the after-effect of cystic acne or inflamed blemishes

What is acne Scarring?

Commonly Acne scarring is an after-effect of cystic acne or inflamed blemishes. Some people are left with uneven skin texture otherwise known as pitted Acne scarring, while others are left with pigmentation after their blemishes have healed.

How can I tell if the acne has healed?

If the affected area is still inflamed and swollen, the acne is likely to still be active. It is advisable to consult a dermatologist to advise you on the various treatments available for active acne.

What causes pitted acne scarring?

There are a number of factors that causes pitted acne scarring, most typically this is due to inflamed blemishes and acne such as cysts, papules and pustules. Most often, once a person recovers from inflamed blemishes or acne, the texture of their skin appears uneven. This is because, where there was once an inflamed blemish on the dermis (lower layers of the skin), after it has healed often there is a gap left between the skins layers. As a result the epidermis (upper layers of skin) ‘sinks’ to fill the gap, causing a pitted, dimpled appearance.

What causes pigmented acne scarring, or dark marks?

Most often once the skin has healed from acne, the skin is left with pigmentation or dark marks. This is due to the accumulation of melanin in the skin. The marks left on the skin are typically not considered scars, as the skin is not permanently marked even though it may take a long period of time to disappear without any treatment. It is worth mentioning people with dark skin tones are more susceptible to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Are acne scars permanent?

Once the acne has healed, the red/brown marks left on your skin will eventually fade away, without the need for treatment. It is important to avoid picking or squeezing the acne, as this can increase the risk of scarring.

What causes acne scarring?

One of the main causes is due to the accumulation of melanin in the skin.

What treatments are available for acne scarring at Vanity Aesthetics & Beauty?

At Vanity Aesthetics & Beauty, we have a number of effective treatments that will help treat the appearance of acne scarring.

Skin Peels
Microdermabrasion
Microneedling
Laser resurfacing