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Ask our Doctors

Skin Renewal Doctors all have a broad knowledge, background and passion for aesthetic medicine. Please feel free to ask them your questions and concerns.

Conditions
Conditions

Acne Scarring

Acne scars are a common concern for many individuals, often resulting from severe or prolonged acne. While the exact reasons for the development and severity of acne scars vary from person to person, certain factors can increase the likelihood of scarring. These factors include the type of acne, the extent of inflammation, and how early the acne is treated.
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What Causes Acne Scars?

Acne scars form when inflamed acne lesions penetrate the skin deeply, damaging the tissue beneath. The body's natural response to this damage is to produce collagen, a protein that helps heal the skin. However, scars may form if the body produces the wrong type of collagen (as is the case in keloid scars) or too much or too little collagen. Early acne treatment prevents these scars from developing, as reducing inflammation can minimise tissue damage.

Types of Acne Scars: Identifying the Different Forms

Understanding the type of acne scars you have is essential for choosing the most effective treatment. Here are the most common types:

Acne Scar Treatments: Options to Consider

At Skin Renewal, our approach to treating acne scars focuses on combination treatments for more effective and lasting results. Acne scars often involve multiple layers of the skin, and a single treatment may not be enough to address the problem entirely. By combining advanced therapies like laser resurfacing, microneedling, and chemical peels, we can target different aspects of scar tissue, including texture, pigmentation, and skin regeneration. This comprehensive approach promotes deeper healing and improved skin texture, delivering results that single treatments cannot achieve independently.

Skin Renewal's Holistic, Doctor-Led Approach to Acne Scars

At Skin Renewal, we believe in a holistic, doctor-led approach to treating acne scars. Our comprehensive consultation process is designed to identify any underlying medical conditions contributing to your acne. Our experienced medical doctors take a detailed medical history to ensure that all factors contributing to your skin condition are addressed. By treating the root causes of acne and focusing on overall skin health, we increase the chances of successfully reducing existing scars and preventing new ones.

During your consultation, we may recommend tests such as a Betaine HCl acid test to check for low stomach acid, which can affect nutrient absorption and overall skin health. Proper stomach acid levels are essential for absorbing key nutrients like zinc, magnesium, and vitamins to maintain healthy skin. By addressing any underlying health issues, we can optimise your treatment plan and enhance the results of your acne scar treatments.

Why Early Intervention Matters

Preventing acne scars begins with effective acne management. The earlier acne is treated, the less likely it is to result in scarring. Skin Renewal is committed to providing personalised treatment plans that address existing scars and prevent new ones from forming.

Proper treatment and care can significantly improve the appearance of acne scars and achieve smoother, healthier skin. Whether you're dealing with mild scarring or more severe forms, our team at Skin Renewal is here to guide you every step of the way, ensuring that your treatment is tailored to your unique needs.

frequently asked
questions

Are acne scar treatments available at all Skin Renewal clinics?
What do acne scars look like?

Acne scars can vary in appearance depending on the type. They can appear as depressions (atrophic scars), such as icepicks, boxcars, or rolling scars, which give the skin an uneven texture. In contrast, hypertrophic scars appear raised and thickened. Some wounds may be pigmented, leaving dark spots (hyperpigmentation) or red marks (post-inflammatory erythema) after the acne has healed.

Can retinol remove acne scars?

Retinol can help improve the appearance of acne scars, but it may not altogether remove them. As a potent form of Vitamin A, retinol promotes skin cell turnover and stimulates collagen production, which can help smooth out the skin's surface and reduce the visibility of shallow scars over time. For deeper scars, more advanced treatments like microneedling or laser therapy may be needed.

How do you stop your acne from scarring?

To prevent acne from scarring, it's essential to avoid picking or squeezing pimples, as this can damage the skin and worsen inflammation. Using acne treatments early, such as salicylic acid or retinoids, can help reduce the severity of breakouts. Keeping your skin moisturised and using sunscreen daily can also help protect healing acne from further damage, reducing the risk of scarring.

Are acne scars permanent?

Acne scars can be permanent, especially if they are not treated. However, many treatments, such as microneedling, laser therapy, and chemical peels, can significantly reduce their appearance. Early intervention and consistent skincare can also help prevent permanent scarring.

Do acne scars get worse with age?

Yes, acne scars may become more pronounced with age as the skin naturally loses collagen and elasticity. The skin's ability to heal diminishes over time, making atrophic scars, such as rolling or boxcar scars, appear more visible. Early treatment of acne scars can help prevent them from worsening as you age.

Are acne scar treatments painful?

Acne scar treatments vary in discomfort depending on the method used. Microneedling and laser treatments may cause mild to moderate discomfort during the procedure, but numbing creams are typically applied to minimise pain. Chemical peels may result in some stinging or burning, usually temporary. Most acne scar treatments are well-tolerated, and any discomfort is manageable with appropriate aftercare.

Frequently asked questions

Are acne scar treatments available at all Skin Renewal clinics?
What do acne scars look like?

Acne scars can vary in appearance depending on the type. They can appear as depressions (atrophic scars), such as icepicks, boxcars, or rolling scars, which give the skin an uneven texture. In contrast, hypertrophic scars appear raised and thickened. Some wounds may be pigmented, leaving dark spots (hyperpigmentation) or red marks (post-inflammatory erythema) after the acne has healed.

Can retinol remove acne scars?

Retinol can help improve the appearance of acne scars, but it may not altogether remove them. As a potent form of Vitamin A, retinol promotes skin cell turnover and stimulates collagen production, which can help smooth out the skin's surface and reduce the visibility of shallow scars over time. For deeper scars, more advanced treatments like microneedling or laser therapy may be needed.

How do you stop your acne from scarring?

To prevent acne from scarring, it's essential to avoid picking or squeezing pimples, as this can damage the skin and worsen inflammation. Using acne treatments early, such as salicylic acid or retinoids, can help reduce the severity of breakouts. Keeping your skin moisturised and using sunscreen daily can also help protect healing acne from further damage, reducing the risk of scarring.

Are acne scars permanent?

Acne scars can be permanent, especially if they are not treated. However, many treatments, such as microneedling, laser therapy, and chemical peels, can significantly reduce their appearance. Early intervention and consistent skincare can also help prevent permanent scarring.

Do acne scars get worse with age?

Yes, acne scars may become more pronounced with age as the skin naturally loses collagen and elasticity. The skin's ability to heal diminishes over time, making atrophic scars, such as rolling or boxcar scars, appear more visible. Early treatment of acne scars can help prevent them from worsening as you age.

Are acne scar treatments painful?

Acne scar treatments vary in discomfort depending on the method used. Microneedling and laser treatments may cause mild to moderate discomfort during the procedure, but numbing creams are typically applied to minimise pain. Chemical peels may result in some stinging or burning, usually temporary. Most acne scar treatments are well-tolerated, and any discomfort is manageable with appropriate aftercare.

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From the Reception to the treatment room, all staff are friendly and helpful. My therapist is knowledgeable, provides sound advice with my treatment packages and always does so with a smile. All treatments I have received has been done so professionally and I will continue to recommend and use this branch.

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Landa is always very pleasant. Her infectious smile just brings about a welcoming feeling. Which leads one to become very comfortable here at skin Renewal. She has a genuine interest in her clients and can adapt and relate to all individuals enabling comfort, openness and trust. She is thoroughly professional, extra caring and very honest. She is pretty too. Awesome service from an awesome person.

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All treatments have been explained thoroughly by both the doctor and the therapist. They are always friendly and welcomes any questions that one may have and she takes her time to answer any queries.

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Kelly is an excellent therapist. I enjoy the treatments and have seen significant improvement!

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My overall experience is amazing. The staff are extremely helpful, knowledgable and always friendly.

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Thank you so much guys. You have made a difference in my life. I am always looking forward to my next visit. My self esteem has so much improved in all respect. Thanx once more again keep it up.

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Been with skin renewal since my early 30's and cannot say a bad word. Liezel is the best and probably the reason for me still being here, updating me with all the new treatments and products. Love all the treatments @ Skin Renewal and always excited to make my appointments, as I know I deserve the best to look my best at all times. It's my present to myself.

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Excellent treatment, therapist always friendly and very experienced in all treatments and always provides me with honest/informed advice. Skin Renewal is very personal and provide a very welcome environment where I can relax and know that I am in excellent hands. I definitely do recommend Skin Renewal to all my friends and colleagues. Thank you for the great service and friendly faces.

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The overall experience was wonderful. I was greeted with a friendly, warm welcome at reception. My therapist was extremely informative, patient, gentle and made me feel completely comfortable knowing i was taken care of! She made me relax and explained the procedure before each step was take so I knew what to expect before and after procedure were done. Thank you!

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The overall service is refreshingly professional and yet caring and it was a deciding factor to me that one's treatments are tailored by a medical Doctor. Tammy, my therapist, is always prepared and knowledgeable and there is no way of forgetting about your appointment since the salon reminds one a day before via SMS. Perhaps most pleasing of all is that my skin has significantly improved due to the careful treatments.

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