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Acne scarring need not be permanent

Acne scarring is what most teenagers and adults fear. They don't understand that the main reason for acne scaring is the amateurish way in which they handle acne. Pinching or pricking acne in an unhygienic manner damages the skin tissue that is present in and around the acne spots. When this happens dead cells, injured cells and re-infection combine to create a scar that can be permanent or temporary.

Temporary scars usually take a longer time to heal. They might disappear after six months or take as long as two to three years to fade way. This is the same time that is needed for the removal of macules or pseudo scars, which are flat reddish spots that remain on the surface of the skin after the inflamed lesion dies. Sometimes there is a slight discoloration of the skin in and around the inflamed region. This can last up to 28 months or more. But it can become worse if the skin is exposed to excessive sunlight.

The loss of skin tissue at the site of acne leads to the development of scars. The scars seen on the face are also called ice pick scars. They are small and the depressions can be shallow or deep. Ice pick scars, if soft, can be stretched to remove the scar but hard ice pick scars are unyielding. Ice pick scars over a period of time may evolve into depressed fibrotic scars. These are quite deep, have steep sides and are firm and unyielding. Usually surgery is needed to
remove traces of these scars.

Scarring can also result from excess tissue formation. These scars are referred to as Keloids or hypertrophic scars, and are caused by increased production of collagen that accumulates to form an amorphously shaped scar. They are about 1-2mm in size.

There are several cosmetic and dermatological procedures used to remove the scar. The simplest method is to inject collagen in the scarred portion. The collagen lifts the skin and fills soft scars and small depressions. It is, however, not very effective in filling ice pick scars. In this case, the treatment needs to be repeated every three months.

However, before injecting collagen the individual should be checked for allergy. Those found allergic should then opt for autologous fat transfer. They can also consider dermabrasion and microdermabrasion, two latest techniques that are used for erasing scars.