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DERMATOLOGIST TREATMENT OF DAMAGED SKIN |
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How to treat acne scars is of great concern to patients with moderate to severe acne lesions. Failed or inadequate acne treatment is major cause in development of scarring. The incidence of scarring is not known by dermatologists. It is frequently stated that acne scarring results from severe inflammatory nodulocystis acne lesions occurring deep in the dermis. Although it may occur with only minor more superficial acne. It is very likely that some patients are more prone to facial scars. Acne should be treated early and adequately. Acne-caused scar can be natural consequence of inflammatory lesions or result of self manipulation. Wound healing occurs when healing mechanisms get involved to correct the injured tissue. Their work may not be as adequate as it seems and it could not leave the skin in its original state. Healing speed is especially correlated to blood supply of the region. The outcome appears to be scarring of different types and shapes associated with either hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation.
The following wound healing scenario may explain the pathology. The initial stage is defined by a structured series involving inflammatory cells. This succession of stages is arranged by neutrophils. Subsequently, macrophages elaborate a variety of cytokines, which create an environment prone to granulation tissue constitution. At last, migration of fibroblasts occurs followed by proliferation and recapitulation by depositing new collagen. Simultaneously, formation of new capillaries is triggered by some factors released in the wound area. A problem arises when this organized process is disrupted by its anabolic and catabolic phases. An overreacting wound healing response may occur, creating a raised scar of fibrotic tissue. Alternatively, deleted collagen is deficiently replaced and forms a pitted appearance resembling the surface of a golf ball. In either case, the scar often is a legacy of skewed healing process. Pathology of acne spots, however, have less correlation with anabolic and catabloic processes, rahter, skin pigmenation changes occur prominantly. Scarring could be presented in two types. One is associated with increased tissue formation and the other is associated with some tissue loss Scarring with increased skin tissue: Excessive scar tissue is classified either as keloid scars or hypertrophic lesions. When an imbalance occurs between the anabolic and catabolic phases of the skin's wound healing process, more collagen is produced than is degraded, and the scar tissue grows in all directions, which results in lesions with skin thickness build up. Keloid scars: Keloids are raised, reddish-purple, nodular scars which, upon palpation, are firmer than hypertrophic scars. Upper body or angle of the jaw have more tendency to this type facial scar. Skin of dark-complexions (black skin) is more likely to develop keloid scars. They could be seen as thick, raised,lobulated fibrotic plaques. They are often red or darker (excess skin color) than the surrounding skin. Once body's healing movements continue to make collagen even after a wound has healed cause the occurrence of keloid scars. The periphery of keloids is more densely populated with fibroblasts than normal skin. Hypertrophic scars: Very similar to keloids, they might be mistaken, however, hypertrophic scars remain within the confines of the original integument injury and may regress with time. Spontaneous restoration of hypertrophic scars is a likely phenomenon. Acne scars hardly present as these type of scarring. The scar tissue is formed as the result of overzealous collagen formation coupled with limited collagen lysis during the remodeling phase of wound healing. Scarring with loss of tissue: Acne spots: Flat discolorations present as either red or brown marks, increase in color and hyperpigmentation is seen. Acne spots are more likely to fade away either gradually without treatment or using fading creams. Ice-pick scarring: These may be superficial or deep, fairly linear but irregular and commonly occur on the cheeks, loss of tissue is obviously visible. They have a pitted appearance resembling the surface of a golf ball. The marks are more resistant to various treatments scars and the deeper they are the less chance of their treatment and the longer it takes to be healed entirely. Depressed fibrotic scars: They present as large with sharp margins and steep sides. Their base is firm, white and can not be stretched. Fibrotic scars may result from severe forms of inflammatory acne such as cystic lesions. Atrophic scars macules: Atrophic macules present as soft, distensible,
ivory-white in color and small in size (few millimeter in diameter),
different from brown marks especially in their color. Facial break
outs may produce acne scars that
are thickened or more recurrently depressed. The more acne inflammation persists the more likely formation of scarring. Serious inflammatory acne is more associated with acne scar development. Treatment early in its course is the best method for acne scars prevention and its development. Dermatologists suggest that acne even in its severe form can often be alleviated. Control and prevention of facial blemishes is also feasible by correcting hormonal balance through a change in lifestyle. These methods mostly rely on nutrition, exercise, grooming and hygiene styles. Read also frequently asked questions. Treatments of body scars, various scars removal procedures for facial scar reduction Most have heard of peels for treatment of scars, dermabrasion for acne scars removal, silicone injections, collagen implants and laser resurfacing because these have been widely publicized in the lay press. For the patient whose facial acne has recently cleared, it is helpful to know that facial scars tends to become less apparent in time and that any consideration of cosmetic surgery for scar reduction should be deferred for at least 1 year. It should be pointed out that treatment of body lesions takes longer period of time and the response is not as early as the ones received when treating face scars, mainly due to richer microcirculation of skin of the face. Also skin damages on body are generally less amenable to cosmetic surgery. Basic mechanism of most different treatments is cell renewal at epidermal level, even though exact underlying mechanism could be different. When dealing with various treatments one should be realistic with reasonable expectations. No scar could be removed completely, however, you can make its appearance very improved. Extent, location, direction, depth and type of your body scars all are determining factors in improvement. Claims for rearranging collagen fibers in dermis should be looked at with skepticism. Collagen injectables or body fat transfer: Collagen or other soft fiber fillers is injected under the skin to fill out certain types of superficial and soft deep scars. Collagen treatments of facial scars usually does not work as well for ice-pick scarring and keloids. Bovine collagen cannot be used in people with autoimmune diseases. Fat transfer is helpful for those allergic to bovine (cow-derived) collagen. The result usually lasts 3 to 6 months. Further collagen treatments to maintain the cosmetic benefit are done at additional cost. Fat injection may last somewhat longer. Treatment areas may remain lumpy for months as a result of uneven distribution following fat injection. Revision of facial scar with collagen injectables or other soft fiber fillers may be associated with allergy or incorrect positioning. Superficial and atrophic acne scars as well as soft scars may do well. Keloids and ice-pick scars tissue do not benefit. Collagen treatments of scars or fat injectables results are temporary and the injections must be repeated every six months. Laser scar resurfacing treatment. Laser has lately opened its doors on treatment of acne lesions. However, this application of laser is still too new, its prospects seem to be more promising compare to some other type of treatments. Whether severe types of acne could be cured by laser remains questionable. Laser for removal of acne lesions related skin damages appear to be more successful in convex areas of the face. Lateral cheek and the temples do not benefit from this technique as much. Laser resurfacing could be associated with hyperpigmentation (skin color increase) or hypopigmentation for short or long term in treatment areas. Scarring, cutaneous macules, infection and persistent redness perioral hypertrophic scars are also possible side effects of most procedures/treatments with treatment of laser for facial scars. Some studies suggest that high-energy, pulsed CO2 laser can safely and sufficiently improve or even eliminate atrophic scars and provides many benefits over traditional treatment methods for resurfacing of the skin. That laser resurfaces acne scars is an idea in need of more discussion. Please visit our page for skin resurfacing. Which treatments can achieve more effective results? |
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© 2010 Hippocrates, all rights reserved Related Information Links: | Acne | Chemical peeling | Keloids | Laser | Find a dermatologist | Surgical interventions | |
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- Scar Treatments > Home - Invasive Removals Procedures - Hippocrates scar treatment Kit Info >> Acne Cream - More to know about acne and your complexion and available treatments |
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Treatment serum to smooth away scarring by skin resurfacing: Contains: 14% pure AHA's, acne scars resurfacing treatment serum renews your skin and retexturizes, faciliatates removal of scars resulted from acne and non-acne sources Contains: 3% BHAs. Resurfacing treatment tighents and minimizes the pores, Contains: 1% pure Retinol. Resurfacing treatment serum accelerates the cell renewal of epidermis layer and helps with revision of damaged skin Contains: Kojic acid. anti pigmentation agent. Hippocrates scars renewal treatment eliminates freckles, brown marks and remove acne spots (flat discolorations) and refine the facial skin by revealing a brighter, more even-toned complexion Contains: Thyme, sage and chamomile. This Hippocrates formulation is to increase the epidermal level circulation and as a result helps to activate the natural collagen synthesis of dermal layer. Tightens and minimizes the pores, reactivates the natural defenses of the skin and reduces the acne inflammation Contains: Bioflavanoids, Green tea extract. scar treatment serum take advantage of these powerful anti oxidants to prevent scars. Skin oxidation of lipids may be prevented as well. This can results in delays in collagen and elastin fiber removal Those with severe lesions or any other forms of active acne lesions need to treat their acne intially before starting with Hippocrates resurfacing treatment for scarring. Acne treatment from Hippocrates is bioengineered to treat acne, pores and acne spots and, in a slower rate, helps with facial scars and skin revision. 1 | 2
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