Acne is a skin condition that many of us suffer from. It comes with breakouts, pimples, whiteheads, blackheads and can leave you feeling uncomfortable in your own skin. For some, it can leave scars that persist and stay for years after the breakout has cleared.

While there are different types of and causes for acne scars, it can be frustrating to deal with. Thankfully, there are now options to choose from to treat those scars and achieve smoother skin. This includes subcision treatment, laser therapy, dermabrasion or a combination of treatments.

To assist in gaining more confidence and to feel proud of your skin, a subcision treatment may be worth looking into. Read on to find out more.

Common Causes of Deep Acne Scars

There are different types of acne scars; rolling scars result when the broken skin heals unevenly leaving a wavy indentation, ice-pick scars are narrow and deeper which can look like an unhealed cut, boxcar scars leave a crater-looking spot on the skin and, finally, keloid scars have a raised appearance due to an overproduction of collagen.

The largest cause of acne scars is inflammation of the area itself which can happen as a result of picking the skin, leaving acne untreated or genetics. Cystic acne – larger, more painful breakouts – can become infected and can easily result in scars. While whiteheads and blackheads are more tame, picking and popping them inflames the area causing extra blood cells to accumulate and overproduce collagen.

Not everyone is prone to acne scarring. Genetics play a big role in how your skin heals itself after a breakout meaning; if other family members have experienced scarring, you will very likely have to deal with the same issue.

Those with darker or Asian skin tones are more prone to hyperpigmentation, which is darker scarring, and keloid scars, which is raised scarring.  

How Subcision Works

There are several options to choose from when deciding which acne scar treatment is best for you. Subcision is a more effective treatment for scars that are deeper and bound down such as rolling scars or boxcar scars. Subcision is less effective for ice-pick and keloid scars.

During a subcision treatment, your dermatologist will insert a needle underneath the scar to break and loosen the fibers that are holding it down, which also releases the collagen. This process lifts the scar to smooth out the skin. Depending on the severity of the scar, subcision may be enough to give you the results you want or, can be done along with other treatments.

Pre & Post Treatment Tips to Maximize Results

A subcision procedure requires 1-2 days of downtime and you will see results within a few weeks. Bruising can occur which can be covered with makeup and it usually fades away within 2-7 days.

To help with the pain and swelling, an antibiotic or anti-inflammatory may be prescribed to you that will allow for better and faster healing. To lessen the risk of recurring scars, a platelet-rich plasma therapy may be recommended, while extremely deep scars may need laser therapy or dermabrasion to perfect the result.

Contact us Today!

If you have moderate to severe rolling scars or boxcar scars, a subcision treatment may be an effective solution. It is a safe, minimally invasive procedure. Get smoother skin and finally be rid of those stubborn scars.

Consult with a dermatologist today.

Contact us at Derm.ca by calling 403-202-4038 or visit us online to book a consultation.