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Acne Scar Treatment in Singapore
Are you interested to tackle your acne concerns? Combat your acne woes with acne scar treatment in Singapore!
Acne occurs when our skin becomes clogged with oil and dead skin, trapping bacteria and causing inflammation. This leads to symptoms of acne such as pimples, nodules and cystic lesions, which can become unsightly, but even after these symptoms of acne are controlled, they may leave hyperpigmentation and scars.
Acne Scars
Acne scars are a result of our body trying to repair acne. How our body reacts to the wound left behind by acne relates to how much scarring occurs, and everyone’s body responds differently. Collagen is created in the process of repair, but if too much collagen is created, raised acne scars will emerge. A loss of tissue also creates pits or indentations in our skin, whereby other types of scarring occur.
If there is an inflammation in the acne blemish, the pore swells, leading to a breakdown in the pore’s wall. Shallow scars that quickly regenerate on their own are caused by small acne blemishes, but deeper scars may arise when the content of blemishes spills into surrounding tissue.
After your pimple or acne breakout clears, acne scars may develop. However, not all acne will leave a mark. Acne scars are more likely to emerge when you experience deep breakouts with cysts or nodule-like acne. Other causes of acne scars include your genes, or if you pick or scratch your pimples, which damages your skin.
Types of Acne Scars
Acne scars are very common and can occur when there is a loss of tissue, presenting itself as an indentation on the surface of your skin. Our skin repairs tissue and creates collagen to help the acne wound heal, but raised scars will develop if there is too much collagen.
There are four different types of acne scars with differing levels of severity. Visiting a doctor will help to determine which type of scars you have, the severity of the scar, and which treatment is most suitable for you.
| Severity of acne scar | Symptom |
|---|---|
|
Grade One (Macular) |
These typically red and flat scars are the mildest type of acne scars. |
|
Grade Two (Mild) |
Acne scars of this severity can usually be concealed with makeup or facial hair. |
|
Grade Three (Moderate) |
These acne scars are obvious and can be seen by others nearby. Moreover, they are not as easily concealed by makeup or facial hair. |
|
Grade Four (Severe) |
Acne scars at this level are very evident to others nearby, and it is not likely that facial hair or makeup will conceal these scars. |
Atrophic/Depressed Scars
Atrophic or depressed acne scars are flat, shallow depressions that heal below the surface of your skin. These scars are typically induced by severe cystic acne, but other types of acne can also cause atrophic or depressed scars, depending on your history with acne.
After your acne clears, your skin will make collagen, but a depressed scar will form if there is too little collagen. It is also possible that more than one type of scar may develop.
Boxcar Scars
These scars are wide, round, oval, or U-shaped indents with sharp edges deep into your skin. They are broader than ice pick scars but not as broad as rolling scars. Boxcar scars typically appear on your lower cheek and jaw, where the skin is thicker.
Ice Pick Scars
Ice pick scars are small, deep, and narrow with round or oval holes, resembling the ice pick tool. They are wide at the top and narrow deeper into the skin. While common, these scars are difficult to heal and may require persistent, aggressive treatment. These scars are usually found on areas with thinner skin, such as your forehead and upper cheeks.
Rolling Scars
Wide and shallow with rounded edges, rolling scars are irregular and have varying depths. Commonly found on your lower cheeks and jaw where the skin is thicker, these indents have sloping edges, which may make your skin look uneven or wavy.
Raised Scars
These types of scars develop when there is an overabundance of collagen or fibrous tissue growth in the skin after healing from an acne breakout. As its name suggests, raised scars rise off the skin due to the build-up of scar tissue, sometimes from a previous acne spot. Raised scars are more common for those with darker skin.
Hypertrophic and Keloid
Hypertrophic and keloid scars are firm, raised lumps of scar tissue that form where the acne once was. They can develop on your chest, back, shoulders, or jawline and may be itchy, tender, or painful.
Hypertrophic scars are the same size as the acne that was initially present and may appear one to two months after the acne breakout clears. On the other hand, keloid scars are larger than the initial acne and may grow beyond the original spot. Thickening skin may be the first sign of keloid scars. It takes longer for keloid scars to appear, around three to 12 months or more after the acne breakout clears.
Papular
These skin-coloured scars are typically lighter than your natural skin tone. Often mistaken for acne, they can form on your nose, chin, jawline, or back.
Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation/Flat Spot
These spots present themselves in a flat, pigmented, darker, or discoloured patch after your pimples heal. However, they are not scars and will heal on their own. They can form if you pick at or squeeze your acne, or if your skin is damaged by severe acne. They appear red or pink for those with lighter skin tones, and brown or bluish grey for those with medium or darker skin tones. While they may fade over time, acne scar treatment can help these spots clear in a more timely manner.
Acne Scar Treatments Available at CuraMed Medical Aesthetic Clinic
Discover the various Singapore acne treatments at CuraMed Aesthetics! Below, we dive into the available acne treatments that are safe for most skin types.
Subscision Of Acne Scars
Acne scar subcision is one of the common acne scar treatments in Singapore as it helps to reduce the appearance of scars while boosting collagen production and regeneration of new skin cells. Scar subcision uses a hypodermic needle inserted directly beneath the scar to loosen and break apart the fibrotic tissues connecting the scar to the tissue underneath. This allows the scar to be raised while the wound healing from the treatment boosts collagen production and cell regeneration. This helps to “fill in” the scar and reduce its appearance.
Scar subcision usually takes anywhere from three to six sessions, with about four weeks between each session, to improve scars more successfully. You will be advised on the number of sessions needed by our doctor after a consultation, based on factors such as age and skin condition. It is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed in a clinical setting with numbing agents applied to the site to manage any pain.
BB Thilium Laser (Sub-Ablative laser)
Thulium laser is a technology that is more effective than the classic fractional CO2 laser that is commonly used for acne scar resurfacing. It only targets the superficial skin layer and aims to rejuvenate it to achieve a radiant glow. It is also used to resurface the skin and treat enlarged pores, scars, and wrinkles. This laser therapy is also minimally invasive, thus it has low downtime and is a convenient form of acne treatment in Singapore.
The BB Thulium Laser gives your skin the effect of applying BB cream – your skin will look smoother, brighter, and more radiant a week after your first session. It is a unique sub-ablative laser that targets the upper dermis while not causing the top layer of skin to peel. The laser penetrates deeply into the skin to remove the melanin-producing cells that cause hyperpigmentation, while the heat causes the surrounding tissues to produce more collagen and boost cell growth. This helps to resurface the skin while tightening pores and removing general uneven pigmentation.
Depending on your skin condition, our doctor will advise you on how many sessions are needed to treat your concerns, with four to eight weeks between each session. This acne treatment is quite tolerable, having been described as feeling like mild pricks after numbing cream is applied. There is minimal downtime needed compared to traditional ablative lasers, and you will be able to go about your daily routine with little trouble as long as you reduce your exposure to the sun.
Dermal Filler Injections To Acne Scar
Dermal filler injections can help with deep, depressed scars by giving them an almost immediate lift. Containing hyaluronic acid, fillers literally “fill in” the scar from below while promoting collagen production to help raise deep and pitted scars even after your body breaks down the hyaluronic acid. It stimulates the body to produce collagen which helps in the repair of acne scars. They are effective when used alongside subcision and resurfacing treatments such as the BB Thulium Laser treatment to provide long-lasting reduction of scars.
This acne treatment typically lasts for a few months, depending on your skin condition and how long it takes your body to break down the hyaluronic acid. There might also be some swelling and redness at the injection site. However, downtime is relatively minimal as it takes about a week or so for the effects of the fillers to show up properly.
Carbon Laser Peel
Carbon laser peels are a laser acne scar treatment in Singapore that helps with mild to moderate scarring, enlarged pores, oil control, and hyperpigmentation. Heat and liquid carbon are used to remove debris and oil within the skin and stimulate collagen production to leave your skin brighter and smoother.
Liquid carbon applied binds to dirt, dead skin cells, and sebum deep in the pores that clog them. When heated with the laser, the carbon binds to the skin and collagen production is boosted as the tissues in the skin react to the heat. At a higher heat setting, the carbon fragments into tiny particles, taking the impurities in the skin with it. This acne treatment unclogs pores, leaving skin brighter and cleaner, while the boost in collagen helps break down hyperpigmentation and reduce the appearance of scarring.
Chemical Peel
Another option for acne scar treatment in Singapore would be chemical peels. Chemical peels help with both hyperpigmentation and shallow scars. This treatment exfoliates the surface of the skin, causing the top layers of the epidermis to peel off and allowing the skin to regenerate. Due to the body’s reaction to old skin peeling off, the skin will produce more collagen, which breaks down the pigmentation, thus lightening hyperpigmentation. This boost in collagen production also helps to reduce the appearance of shallow scars as the collagen causes the skin to “fill in” the depression left by the scar.
There are several different types of peels, ranging from superficial to stronger peels including Jessner peel (combination of acid), glycolic acid (Alpha Hydroxy Acids, AHA), and trichloroacetic acid (TCA). Depending on your skin condition, the depth of the pigmentation, scarring, and the peel used, it typically takes about two to four sessions to reduce hyperpigmentation.
** The results of treatment varies depending on the severity of the skin condition**
Types of Acne Scar Treatment in Singapore
When it comes to acne, depending on the type of scars, different treatments are needed to achieve desired results. Hence, it’s best to learn about all of the available acne scar treatments in Singapore to know the recommended treatment for you.
Some treatments work to remove scars, while other treatments will help your skin regenerate with collagen. Your doctor can advise you on which acne scar treatment is most suitable for you based on your goals, skin type, the nature of your acne scars, and the location of your scars.
Dermabrasion
A rotating instrument is used to exfoliate the upper layer of your damaged skin, resulting in smoother skin. This treatment can reduce fine facial lines and make boxcar scars more shallow. However, multiple treatments are required for full effectiveness. After this therapy, your skin may be sensitive and blotchy for several weeks, and it will take some time for your skin to return to normal.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a resurfacing process that uses a special device to gently remove the top layer of your skin which results in smoother skin. However, it is only suitable for boxcar and rolling scars, not ice pick scars. While multiple sessions are also required for this treatment to be effective, you will not experience any downtime after this procedure.
Microneedling
Small needles are used to puncture your skin across your acne scars to stimulate your skin into producing more collagen and to smoothen your scars. This treatment is a form of controlled skin injury and can help to diminish the depth of your acne scar.
Punch Excision
In this treatment, your doctor will cut into your skin to remove your acne scar before stitching your wound. Punch excision is a fast and efficient way to resolve your acne scars and is suitable for deep ice pick scars or narrow, deep boxcar scars. Nonetheless, this procedure should be combined with other acne scar treatments, as it will only transform your indented scar into a flat scar.
Punch Grafting
Your scar will be cut out and removed, just like in punch excision. A skin graft will be taken from another part of your body, typically behind your ear, to fill the area where your initial scar was. More effective for ice pick scars, this procedure will leave behind a smaller and lighter yet smoother and less conspicuous scar. Hence, it should also be combined with other acne scar treatments for full effectiveness.
TCA CROSS (TriChloroacetic Acid Chemical Reconstitution of Skin Scars)
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is applied to your acne scars to help your skin produce extra collagen. This safe and efficient treatment works to improve your scarring with additional collagen and is helpful for ice pick scars but will require multiple sessions. This procedure should also be combined with other acne scar treatments for better efficacy.
Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing uses heat or high-energy light to remove the outmost layer of your skin and the scarred collagen beneath. It stimulates new, healthy collagen in the inner layers of your skin and encourages the growth of new skin.
Steroid Injections
Fibrous tissue is softened and the height of acne scars is reduced when steroids are injected into raised scars. In this procedure, scars will be flattened as steroids work to decrease the scar tissue under your skin by breaking bonds between collagen fibres. Steroids also have anti-inflammatory characteristics and help to reduce redness, itching, swelling, and tenderness.
Cryosurgery
In cryosurgery, liquid nitrogen is used to quickly freeze raised scar tissue. As the particular area of skin thaws, dies, and falls off, the targeted skin cells will be eliminated. This procedure may require additional applications of liquid nitrogen or be complemented with other treatments for it to be more effective.
Acne Scar Treatment in Singapore FAQs
How much does it cost for acne scar treatment in Singapore?
The price varies depending on the recommended treatment and severity of acne scarring. Contact us for detailed pricing.
Which acne scar treatment is suitable for me?
Acne scar treatments include subcision, BB Thilium Laser, dermal filler injection, carbon laser peel and chemical peel. Depending of what type of acne scars, our doctor will recommend the treatment suited your skin condition.
Can acne scars be permanently removed?
Acne scars can be permanently removed in some cases, depending on the severity of scars and individual’s healing process.
Is acne scar treatment painful?
Pain level varies among individuals between the acne scar treatments. Numbing cream will be applied before the procedure to reduce your discomfort and potential pain.
How long does it take to see result from acne scar treatment?
The time taken to see results from acne scar treatment depends on the severity of your acne scars and the treatment. Individuals can see gradual improvement after acne scar treatment typically within a couple of weeks. However, it is important to note that not all scars go away permanently.
Can acne scars recover themselves?
Some acne scars can fade away on their own, but it usually takes a very long time depending on your skin type and the severity of your acne scar. For better results, we recommend you speak to our doctor regarding possible acne scar treatment.
Can I receive acne scar treatment while I have active acne?
Unfortunately, it is not possible. Your skin has to be blemish-free before you start acne scar treatment, as the medications and treatments used for acne and acne scars may interfere with each other.
Can I go for different types of acne scar treatment at the same time?
Yes, you may. Sometimes your doctor will recommend more than one acne scar treatment that complements each other for quicker results and better efficacy. However, if you are seeing more than one doctor for acne scar treatments, it is best to inform your doctors so they can advise you accordingly.
How long should I wait after my acne scar treatment ends before I start a new treatment?
Your skin may require time to heal after your acne scar treatment, and starting a new treatment too soon may hamper the previous treatment’s effectiveness. You can consult our doctor on the best time to start a new treatment.
Are there any side effects from acne scar treatment?
You may experience minor discomfort or a change in your skin tone during or after your acne scar treatment.
How do I reduce scarring from acne?
Do not pick, scratch, or squeeze your pimples. This will cause extra damage to your skin, which in turn results in inflammation, making your scar worse. If you have acne, treat it immediately.
Why Should You Choose CuraMed Aesthetics?
At our clinic, our wide range of treatment options will be able to reduce discolouration and improve scarring while catering for your unique skin condition. Need help with Acne Scar Removal in Singapore? Contact us right now to book an appointment.
Need help with Acne and Pimple?
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Dr. Kan Hun Yee
Headed by our director and sole founder, Dr Kan, who is not just a certified family physician by the College of Family Physician, as she is also a certified Aesthetic Physician with the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine.
She possess a number of qualifications which speaks to her knowledge:
- Medical Degree (University of Southampton, UK)
- Diploma in Family Medicine (National University of Singapore)
- Diploma in Dermatology (Cardiff, UK)
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