Acne Scarring
Scarring caused by acne is one of the most common reasons patients visit the practice. It is important that patients with active scarring acne take steps to treat the acne as fully as possible to prevent new scars form developing. Your dermatologist will be able to advice on the range of treatments available for treatment of acne, and the resultant scars.
Types of acne scars
Each individual responds to acne differently. Many patients do not scar at all, whereas others may develop deep, disfiguring scars. Acne related skin changes can be classified as follows:
- ice pick scars
- box car scars
- atrophic scars
- hypertrophic scars
- keloid scars
- anetoderma like scaring
- postinflammatory redness (erythema)
- postinflammatory hyperpigmentation
What can I expect?
At your visit to the clinic, your dermatologist will explore the history of your acne and ensure that the disease is as well controlled as possible. You skin and scars will be assessed and a plan of action to improve your scars will be agreed with you. A realistic assessment of what can be achieved will be explained.
What treatment options are available?
Your treatment will be tailored to suit your needs, your skin type and the types of scars that you have. Often, an individual will have more than one type of scar and may need more than one type of treatment. Or practice offerers a full range of treatment options:
- Lasers
- Pulsed dye laser
- Carbon dioxide laser (CO2, fractionated, ablative)
- Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
- Laser treatment of active acne (if required)
- Chemical peels
- Trichcloroacetic acid peels
- Salicylic acid peels (for active acne, if required)
- Surgical treatments
- Subscission of scars
- Excision of scars
- Injections
- Filler injection into depressed scars
- Corticosteroid injection into hypertrophic scars
What should I do next?
We are happy to see patients with acne scars for an initial consultation to assess the scars and plan treatment. If you are already under another dermatologist, it is wise to stick with their treatment programme - when you have completed your treatment or are nearing the end, we would be in a position to assess your scars and advise on the treatment plan. Many patients have been on oral isotretoin tablets (also known as Roaccutane). Whist this medication is a good treatment for acne, we would require you to be off treatment for at least 6 months before a laser resurfacing or chemical peel, altough you may consult earlier to plan your treatment.
We are based at:
- The London Clinic, 20 Devonshire Place, London.
- The BMI Sloane Hospital, 125 Alebmarle Road, Beckenham.
- King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London.