It seems like double punishment not only did you have to live through the agony of acne, but now you have to be reminded every time you look into a mirror.
Why does acne sometimes leave scars? To answer that question, you need to understand acne. Acne lesions or pimples are caused by hormones and enlarged oil-producing glands in the skin.
This activity leads to increased oil production and bacteria in the pores. Usually found on the face, neck, and upper body -- acne comes in several forms. Mild acne usually shows up as the whiteheads or blackheads that most of us get at various times. Moderately severe acne includes red inflamed pimples called papules and red pimples with white centers called pustules. Severe acne creates painful, pus-filled cysts or lumps called nodules to appear under the skin.
Nodules are more likely to leave permanent scars than other types of acne. If you have nodules, see your doctor or dermatologist right away. The physician will assess your acne and will probably prescribe gels or creams that you'll apply directly to your skin. The doctor may also prescribe antibiotic pills, birth control pills for some teen girls with acne (the hormones can help control acne in some cases), or other medications if the acne is severe.
But, what if you didn't get to the doctor right away and you have some heavy-duty scarring? Your doctor or dermatologist may want to use laser resurfacing, one of the newest forms of acne treatment available. The damaged top layer of the skin is removed, and the middle layer is tightened, leaving the surface smoother. The doctor will first numb your skin with a local anesthetic. The total procedure could take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour. You will have some down-time since the results of laser resurfacing can take from 3 to 10 days to heal completely.
Dermabrasion is a more traditional method for treating acne scars. A rotating wire brush or spinning diamond instrument is used to wear down the surface of the skin. During the healing process, a new, smoother layer replaces the skin that has been removed. The skin may take a bit longer to heal after dermabrasion, due to the somewhat intrusive nature of the procedure. You'll generally need 10 days and 3 weeks for complete healing.
Laser resurfacing and dermabrasion are not options if you have an active case of acne at the time of treatment. Other treatments depend on how severe your scarring is. A mild chemical peel in the doctor's office, or even surgery, may be needed to remove deeply indented scars.
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