Anti Aging Skin Care » Acne Scars Causes and Treatments

Acne Scars Causes and Treatments

Before we start, we need to clarify the difference between Macules and Scars. Macules are not scars though they may look like scars, in the sense that a permanent change has occurred. Macules are essentially the final stage of most inflamed acne lesions. They are normally flat, reddish spots that can remain for up to eight months. However, the difference between a macule and a scar is that, a macule will end up disappearing completely whereas a scar will remain for years or indefinitely.

The scars can also vary from person to person. With some individuals, scars may remain for a lifetime without change but with others, their skin will undergo a form of remodeling that will eventually diminish the scar.

Another factor that needs to be clarified is the human element of scarring. People simply have different feelings about acne scars. Those who are worried about their acne scars are much more likely to seek treatment to moderate or remove the scar than those who are more unconcerned about the scars.

Cause of Scars :
To gain a better understanding of acne scars we first need determine the cause of scars. A scar is a mark left in the skin by the healing of a wound or surgical incision in which the normal functional tissue that is the skin is replaced by connective tissue that is scar. In the case of acne, the wound is caused by the body's inflammatory response to sebum, bacteria and dead cells that are trapped in the plugged sebaceous follicle.

When your skin tissue has suffered a wound of some sorts, your body will attempt to heal the injured spot. It does so by increasing the white blood cells in the area along with the group of provocative molecules whose role is to repair the damaged tissue and fight infection. In the end, the repair job can be messy, and the site of the wound is filled with fibrous scar tissue or eroded tissue. As for the provocative molecules and white blood cells, they can remain at the acne lesion for days and even weeks.

Take note of the fact that not everyone functions in the same way, and this holds true with our skin as well. Some people are simply more prone to scarring than others.

Treatment for scars :
Bear in mind that taking care of acne and taking care of acne scars are two completely different things. Treating your acne has nothing to do with treating an acne scar. Acne scars can definitely be treated, but it is important that an acne sufferer bring their acne condition under control first if they still suffer from moderate to severe acne.

Once your acne falls down, make an appointment with a dermatologist and discuss the methods of scar treatments that he recommends you undergo to treat your scars. Remember that, there are many methods with which you may treat your scars. These methods vary according to your scar type, size and location, type of skin, and of course, money. All this should be discussed in detail with your dermatologist.

Before having your dermatologist undergo the scar treatment, ask yourself the following questions

• Are you willing to wait and see if the scars will subside on their own with time?
• Do your acne scars affect you emotionally and socially?
• Is your scarring considerable enough to guarantee scar treatment?
• Can you afford the treatment or what treatment options can you afford?

Keep in mind, the objective of scar treatment is not to necessarily rid you of all indications of scars by completely restoring your skin. It very much depends on the severity of your scars, your skin type, your skins ability to regenerate, etc. Considerable improvements can definitely be achieved, but complete restoration is often impossible.