Acne scars on your face can be frustrating, especially if you have tried everything to get rid of them, but nothing seems to work. Acne scars can affect your confidence, making you self-conscious about your appearance. It can make you feel incomplete and utter despair when you think about all the money, time, and effort you have put into trying to eliminate them.

Acne can be a real pain, not just during the active breakouts but also afterward. There are many types of acne scars, each with different challenges. Some are shallow and barely noticeable, while others can be pretty obvious. And there are those pesky red marks that linger long after the breakout.

The good news is that there are several effective treatments for acne scars depending on the type and severity of the scar. So, if you’re feeling frustrated and helpless, know that there is hope. In this article, we will look into what acne is and its causes, and we will also go over some of the best treatments for every type of acne scar.

How do acne scars form?

Acne scars are usually the product of an inflamed lesion like a papule or cyst. These inflamed lesions occur when the follicle, or pore, gets engorged with excess oil, dead skin cells, and/or bacteria. The pore then swells up, resulting in a break in the follicle wall. If the rupture occurs close to the skin’s surface, the lesion will be minor and heal quickly. But when there is a deep break in the follicle wall, a more serious lesion ensues. This infected material then spills out into the dermis, destroying the healthy skin tissue.

Inflammation happens to help heal and remove dead tissue. Following this, is the regenerative stage that allows for remodeling and regrowth. In this stage, the skin takes all the building materials, for instance collagen, that are generated by the body’s healing mechanism and starts to rearrange them in order. It is here that things may go wrong and lead to scarring. With the deeper and more serious lesions, the task of regrowth might become too much for quick and smooth healing, leading to scar formation. This is because the body basically piles these building materials up in no particular order as opposed to a neat arrangement. This is the cause of scarring in severe cases of acne or for some people more prone to scarring.

Getting rid of acne scars

There are many creams and ointments out there that may contribute to healing but they would hardly suffice for the entire healing process, especially when scars have formed. However, acne scars respond well to PRP injections. Using advanced medical technology, PRP therapy uses the body’s natural healing powers –extracted growth factors from your own blood – to stimulate the regeneration of healthy cells. At Enliven Aesthetics, we provide an entire package –PRP Vampire Facial. This treatment process combines PRP, dermabrasion, microneedling, and a high frequency light treatment, to boost collagen production and rejuvenate damaged skin cells. At the beginning of the therapy, a local anesthetic, for instance, lidocaine cream, is applied all over the face. A high frequency light machine is then used to kill bacteria, reduce inflammation, and boost circulation. Next, dermabrasion is performed to disrupt the stratum corneum so that growth factors can be well infused into the skin. A very specialized DermaPen device with lots of tiny needles is subsequently used to inject the PRP into the scars. These injections trigger the skin to rearrange the disorganized fibers into a very organized pattern. In scar tissue, fibers go in every direction in no particular order. PRP triggers new growth and healing that helps rearrange the tissue so that it gets back to the organized form.

For even better relief from acne scars, we recommend alternating the PRP Vampire Facial each month with another treatment –the VI PeelTM. The VI PeelTMis a medical-grade chemical peel that helps reduce the appearance of scars, acne marks, and other skin blemishes. It achieves this through a process whereby it removes the dead outer layers of the skin and exposes the fresh, healthy skin underneath. It is best to alternate the treatments every month when combining these two treatments.

The resolution to acne scarring usually requires about four (4) alternating sessions, and after these, if you are satisfied with the results, there may be no need to continue. However, if you desire to continue with the treatment, this can be arranged with about eight (8) weeks interval in between sessions, to allow for maximal healing between sessions.

After your regenerative treatment

Following the Vampire facial and VI Peel, good skin care is vital, including avoiding the sun, cultivating good nutritional habits, and using appropriate skin cream. It is important to avoid being out in the sun for the first seven days after treatment. This is to prevent exposure to UV rays that can damage your skin when newly treated. Nothing should be used on the face except a recommended oxygen permeable skin cream, which allows for oxygen to reach the skin and does not block pores. We recommend the MD Solar Sciences SPF 50 BB cream as a great way to protect your skin 24 hours after your treatment. Its sheer-tinted, mineral-based formula glides on velvety-smooth to deliver the ultimate skin-loving trifecta: a natural-looking matte finish, anti-aging benefits and broad-spectrum protection. It is made with naturally-derived Zinc Oxide and infused with caffeine and niacinamide to help minimize discoloration and redness as your skin heals from the treatments. This BB cream is tested to be water-resistant up to 80 minutes, and comes in 3 shades: Light, Medium and Dark.

With cutting-edge regenerative technologies now available, acne scars are now much easier to treat. At Enliven Aesthetics, we offer the newest and most advanced treatments to help renew your skin. Contact us today to help you achieve the kind of skin you desire and deserve. Please contact our office at 858-609-0866 or click below to book your free consultation to learn more and create a personalized treatment plan to end your struggle with acne scars.