Treatment for post-acne

Causes of post-acne appearance

The main cause of post-acne is acne or acne vulgaris. The severity of the condition depends on the depth of inflammation penetration into the skin tissues. Damage only to the superficial layer concerns the patient with pigmentation, vessel dilation, milia. Scars, atheromas are the result of prolonged inflammation penetration into the deep dermal tissues. To understand how to get rid of post-acne, it is important to understand other causes of its occurrence.
The main ones are:

• Regular squeezing of pimples, acne. Traumatizing the skin surface at the site of inflammation, damaging the infected follicle leads to bacteria penetration into affected areas, which only exacerbates the appearance of new eruption foci. Persistent disruption of skin barrier integrity during acne will inevitably lead to scar formation.
• Heredity. Some genes in the human body are responsible for inflammatory processes. That's why acne-prone skin can be genetically inherited.
• Incomplete, ineffective, incorrect acne treatment. Such a condition requires systemic treatment. It is important to find a qualified dermatologist who will determine the root cause of inflammation, prescribe appropriate care, and ensure complete control over the healing process.
• Moderate and severe stages of acne. A complicated course of the disease with severe eruptions such as pimples, comedones, pustules, papules will also lead to acne consequences in the form of scars, pigmented spots. This applies to inflammations that progress for more than 12 months. Deep dermal tissues are subjected to trauma for a long time, so in such cases, the chance of post-acne appearance is 95%.

Types and stages of post-acne

Post-acne most commonly localizes in three areas of the facial skin - chin, cheeks, forehead. Less frequently, traces of eruptions appear on the back, shoulders, arms, and sometimes - in the thigh and buttock area. The main types of post-acne are:

• Abnormally enlarged pores (this type is the most common, caused by excessive production of sebum, which accumulates in the pores and leads to enlargement of the walls of the sebaceous gland).
• Hyperpigmentation (inflammation of papulopustular formations). It often occurs due to regular squeezing of pimples, acne.
• Scars of various types - atrophic, normotrophic, hypertrophic, keloid, mixed scars (occur in case of dermal damage).
• Residual spots of red, violet, blue color (vascular changes). They appear due to squeezing of acne in people whose skin is prone to the formation of telangiectasia (dilated capillaries).

Let's consider the most common type of post-acne scars - atrophic scars. They occur in 95% of patients with post-acne on the back, face. Scars appear as small depressions, pits. The skin around the damage is very thin and sensitive. Atrophic scars come in various shapes (notched, rounded, square). The most challenging form is notched because then the scars take the form of cones, the lower part of which is located deep in the dermis, and the removal procedure is lengthy. Rounded scars are the easiest to get rid of; they are purely on the surface, giving the skin an uneven, wavy appearance. Square scars are the "golden" middle between the first forms. Modern therapeutic cosmetology knows effective methods for removing various forms of scars.

Now about the stages. In post-acne, there are three of them:

• Inflammation. Melanin - the pigment contained in the dermis, hair, retina of the eye, begins to be produced too actively. As a result, hyperpigmentation, depigmentation, residual spots occur.
• Granulation tissue formation. Capillary growth and excessive collagen synthesis occur. In addition, keratinocytes penetrate into the site of inflammation (90% of the skin consists precisely of them). When the latter move into the open wound where inflammation was previously present, collagen fibers inevitably break down, leading to fibrosis and scar formation.
• Tissue structure restoration. This stage can last for months. The main cells of the skin, connective tissue, sebaceous glands produce a large amount of enzymes that are supposed to restore the structure of tissues. In case of imbalance, post-acne scars appear. The acne bacterium - propionibacterium - is also associated with scar formation. Peptidoglycan, one of the components, damages the extracellular matrix, so the restoration process may be prolonged.

Now you know what post-acne is, why it occurs, and what types and stages it has. Next, let's talk about effective ways to treat skin from acne consequences and tips on minimizing the risk of scar formation.

How to treat acne?

Modern medical centers, such as "LeoDerm," offer a wide range of effective procedures for treating acne. To achieve the maximum result, doctors select a complex of procedures.

Chemical peeling for acne penetrates deep into the skin, works with sebaceous glands (pathogenetic level). At the LeoDerm clinic, PCA and PRX-T33 peels are used to combat acne scars - their components stimulate fibroblast growth, have anti-inflammatory effects, and cleanse the skin from comedones and sebum.

The number of chemical peeling sessions, the most effective composition, will be selected by a dermatologist after familiarizing themselves with the clinical picture of the patient's acne treatment.

Plasmotherapy is an injection procedure aimed at removing post-acne marks using the patient's own plasma previously taken from their blood. Due to the high concentration of platelets it contains, it improves blood circulation, activates metabolic processes, promotes rapid skin cell regeneration, and removes scars.
IPL therapy is an alternative to laser treatment. The principle of operation is as follows: intense pulsed light selectively heats skin chromophores (hemoglobin, melanin), initiating a process of skin rejuvenation and correction.

The latest attachment, Lumecca SR 515/580, features controlled pulses, high power (3.3 kW/cm2), adjustable cooling, and is suitable for all skin types. In addition to treating acne scars, its primary indications include acne, rosacea, pigmentation, the presence of fine vessels in the cheek area, around the eyes, and so on. The advantage of the procedure is a noticeable healing effect after the first session.

Two more procedures that can be done at the LeoDerm Medical Center for removing acne scars are bio-revitalization and mesotherapy. They involve carefully injecting preparations with polynucleotides, amino acids, vitamins, and microelements under the skin. The latter restore, tighten the skin, and initiate the production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid.

The most effective way to deal with the consequences of acne is laser scar resurfacing. The procedure aims to remove the epidermis along with minor scars and irregularities. At the same time, bruises, fine capillaries disappear, and pores shrink. Laser acne scar removal is a delicate and controlled process. The doctor can adjust the intensity of the light beam and the depth of the impact. The advantage of laser resurfacing is that it can combat old scars, it is suitable for patients of any age, and it is effective for sensitive skin.
Fractional micro-needle RF lifting Morpheus 8 is a non-surgical procedure for improving skin tone, tightening, and scar resurfacing.

Micro-needle radiofrequency waves from the fractional handpiece penetrate selectively into the deep layers of the skin (4-5 mm), heating the connective tissue to 42°C without causing burns. Fibroblasts actively divide and synthesize collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, accelerating the skin regeneration process. The main advantages of RF lifting are that it is suitable for patients of all age groups and has a cumulative effect.

How to prevent acne scars?

No one can guarantee that scars or marks from acne won't appear after treating problematic skin in a patient. However, by following simple advice, the risks of their appearance can be minimized. It's important to:

Start acne treatment quickly. The longer the patient delays, the more damage to the skin and the higher the chances of scarring. Finding a qualified doctor is essential. The best approach is to address the root cause.

1. Avoid squeezing pimples. It can introduce infection, leading to new breakouts and eventually scarring.
2. Avoid stressful situations.
3. Avoid tanning. UV exposure is contraindicated, as it dehydrates the skin and the body produces excess sebum. Pigment spots can appear even on healthy skin if SPF cream is neglected.
4. Quality skincare. Daily cleansing, toning, and treating problem areas with doctor-prescribed care. Properly selected cosmetics can accelerate the healing process and reduce the chances of scarring.

Schedule a consultation at the LeoDerm Medical Center. Our doctors know how to get rid of acne and restore glowing skin without scars. You can book an appointment by phone or by clicking the "Book Now" button on the main page of the website. Welcome!