Steer Clear of Acne Scarring

Of the 60 million people in the U.S. who have acne, 20% have some form of acne severe enough that it results in scarring. Acne is stressful enough; scarring makes it even worse! Whether you’re already a part of that 20%, or simply want to avoid becoming part of the statistic, the experts at River Region Dermatology and Laser offer some ideas for dealing with aggravating acne scars.

Cause: Acne forms when a pore in your skin becomes clogged. This can be caused by excess oil, dead skin cells, bacteria, or pore-clogging makeup and moisturizers. The pore becomes inflamed and swollen, disrupting the healthy skin surrounding it— this is what causes redness, tenderness, and swelling. Sometimes the bumps flatten out on their own, but that’s not always the case. Scars are caused by one of two healing mishaps: an overproduction of collagen in the pore, or a lack of collagen in the pore. An overproduction of collagen results in rough, raised scars. A lack of collagen creates crater-like, indented scars.

Prevention: Getting ahead of breakouts is the best way to prevent acne scarring! Having a good daily skincare regimen is the first line of defense against scarring and the worsening of existing acne scars. The second best way to avoid scarring is to avoid popping pimples. It may seem like a good idea to clear the clogged pore, but really all you’re doing is spreading debris, infection, and inflammation. Save the “pimple popping” obsession for YouTube— not your face!

Treatment: River Region Dermatology and Laser recommends a variety of treatments to take care of acne scarring.

• Laser Treatment-  During a laser treatment, the depth and size of the laser’s energy is specifically formatted for your concerns and skin type. The laser passes through the skin and is absorbed by the blood as heat, causing vascular lesions to coagulate and fill in the scars. Laser treatments offer major skin benefits with minimal time commitment.
• Microneedling- Microneedling is a collagen-stimulating treatment that smoothes out skin texture. The miniature needles catalyze structural proteins, which promotes blood flow and healing at the scar sites. During the body’s natural wound-healing process, college and elastin are regenerated, resulting in smoother skin.
• Chemical Peels- Chemical peels are customizable to fit your specific needs, whether your skin is sensitive, oily, dry, or discolored. The peel sloughs away the “bad” layer of skin and reveals fresh, healthy skin beneath the scarring.

Regardless of your skin condition or concerns, River Region Dermatology and Laser is here to help! Compassionate providers, along with well trained staff members, are ready to assist you with your acne woes. Call our office today (334-676-3366) to see how we can help you. Dr. Porcia Bradford Love is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of River Region Dermatology and Laser. Callie Renahan Mitchell is a medical assistant at River Region Dermatology and Laser.