Physical Effects Caused By Acne
Posted on 01. Jan, 2009 by admin in Causes of Acne
The physical and emotional effects that acne is known for causing can still be existent long after the breakouts have healed. The effects a person may feel from the scarring that serves as permanent reminders can be devastating. While you may not be able to avoid scarring from acne altogether, you may be able to minimize a great deal of the long-term damage if you understand more about the underlying process occurring in your skin.
The Cause of Acne Scarring
When any area of our skin becomes damaged, numerous inflammatory molecules and white blood cells rush to the injured area to begin repair and attacking infection. After this process has completed there are many times that the skin is simply unable to restore itself to its original state.
Are certain people more susceptible to scarring from acne?
This is a problem with acne that has yet to be understood completely. Some feel that it may run in the family in individuals that are more prone to scarring simply because of genetic connections, and the type of scars you get along with the degree in which you scar seem to be affected by this. There are some who may suffer their entire life with tremendous scarring received from acne, and then there are others who will notice improvement of their scars over time. It is known that scarring will generally occur in those who have more severe forms of acne that produces modular lesions that are deep and become inflamed.
Are there ways to avoid scarring from acne?
Because of the fact that so little information is known as to why some scar much easier than others, it is best to simply try to prevent flare ups from acne. The more success that you have in preventing inflamed flare-ups, the less likely it is for your skin to become scarred. It is very important to try and treat acne in its early stages, and you will need to treat the condition for however long is necessary. Using the appropriate medication is also important. You can actually increase your chances of scarring when you pick or squeeze the pimples that form, and this is because an increase in damage to the surrounding tissue can occur.
A note to remember: A pimple left alone will generally go away a lot faster than one that has been picked and squeezed. Bothersome lesions should be left to your aesthetician or dermatologist for treatment and safe extraction.
You might be surprised at the rate your body can heal when you take the time to eat a well balanced diet, drink plenty of water, and get a sufficient amount of sleep. It is also recommended to use protection from UVA and UVB rays when you are out in the sun, as they can cause scarring to last longer. Smoking is another known problem that sucks away the reserves of oxygen that is so important to your skins health. It also leads to even more problems with acne scars and aging because of the toxins that are deposited and the free radicals it produces in your body.
Types of Scars Caused by Acne
It is possible for acne blemishes to heal. Although the reddish spot or macule that is left behind as inflamed areas begin to flatten can last for as long as six months, it will eventually go away without leaving behind scarring. This is actually the last stage of bothersome acne lesions. This is also true for those who have problems with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which causes a darkened area on the skin at sites where an acne lesion is healing. This is a condition that is most common in individuals who are Asian, Latino, and African-American and they can last as long as 18 months. Both post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and macules are known as “pseudo-scarring” because over time they will generally disappear entirely.
Acne is known to leave behind two types of scars – scars that are caused by loss of tissue, and scars that are caused by the formation of increased tissue. The latter is known as hypertropic scars or keloid, and this type of scarring occurs less frequently and it appears to be one that is hereditary. It is also found mainly in individuals who are Latino, Asian, and African-American. When skin cells have been injured they produce excess amounts of collagen that can form in masses of lumpy fibrous tissue that generally forms in areas such as the chest, back, and jaw line. This type of lesion has a shiny appearance and it can last for many years.
Scarring that is caused by the loss of tissue is a much more common form of acne scarring and there are many forms it can take on.
Depressed fibrotic acne scars – Over a period of time scarring known as ice-pick scars can eventually evolve into a depressed fibrotic scar. This type of scar is firmer and larger at the base, with narrower steep sides as well as sharp edges.
Soft acne scars – Soft acne is generally linear in its shape, circular, small, and they feel soft when touched. They have rolled edges that gently merge with skin that surrounds them.
Atrophic macules – This type is commonly found in Caucasians and they are soft in texture with a base that appears wrinkled. They may also appear purplish in color because of blood vessels that are located just beneath the surface. This noticeable color may fade to a more pale ivory color over time. When Atrophic macules appear on the face they are normally small in their size, but when they appear on other areas of the body they can be as large as a centimeter in size or even larger.
Follicular macular atrophy – This common type individuals suffer from will generally appear on your back or the chest area. They are white lesions that can resemble a whitehead that did not develop completely and they are soft to touch. It can last for many months or even years.
Ice-pick acne scars – Ice-pick acne is usually deep and small, with sides that are steep as well as jagged edges. They are most commonly found on the cheek. Although scarring is hard to treat, when you notice areas that are soft when they are touched, they can sometimes be improved simply by stretching the skin.
Are my acne scars treatable?
Even though it might be impossible to restore the original smoothness you enjoyed at one time with your skin, there are a variety of different treatments that are available that work great for the improvement of acne scarring and many of the emotional side effects this condition can cause. There are topical resurfacing agents that are used to treat some cases of superficial acne scarring. It is available over the counter and in prescription form in products such as in Renova and Rein-A. Bleaching agents are used for the improvement of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and macules. Microdermabrasion or dermatologic surgery is a treatment that is used for other forms of acne scarring and generally requires 6 to 8 treatments.
A consultation with your dermatologist will give you the helpful information that you need for the recommended treatment that will work the best for your individual situation.
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