Acne scars can be frustrating and make you feel self-conscious. They form when severe acne damages the skin and disrupts the healing process, leading to changes in texture and pigmentation. The good news is that there are several effective treatments that can significantly improve their appearance. This blog post will examine what acne scars are, why they form, the best methods for treating them, and how high frequency wands can help reduce scarring.

What Are Acne Scars?

Acne scars form after moderate to severe acne breaks out. When the oil and bacteria clog pores, it causes inflammation and leads to papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts. The body sees this as an invader and rushes immune cells to the site, triggering an immune response. This kicks off the healing process but also causes damage to the skin tissues and collagen.

After the acne clears, the damaged skin struggles to regenerate and repair itself. This improper healing causes changes in texture and pigmentation that appear as depressions, raised bumps, or discolored spots on the skin’s surface. The three main types of acne scars are:

• Ice pick scars - Narrow, deep pits that extend into the dermis. They cause skin indentation and are usually less than 2 mm across.

• Boxcar scars - Broad depressions with sharp edges and a rectangular shape. They are wider than ice pick scars.

• Rolling scars - Wide depressions with gentle slopes and an uneven surface. They give the skin a wave-like appearance.

The severity ranges from mild scarring only visible under certain lighting, to more pronounced scarring that’s noticeable up close. The location, size, depth and number of scars also vary. They commonly form on the cheeks, temple, jawline, chest, back and shoulders.

Why Do Acne Scars Form?

There are several factors that determine whether acne will leave behind scars or not:

• Severity of acne - Moderate to severe acne that penetrates deep into the skin is more likely to scar. Mild acne confined to the surface usually heals without scarring.

• Delayed treatment - Treating acne early can prevent further inflammation and damage. Waiting too long allows the lesions to grow and destroy more tissue.

• Skin picking - Popping, squeezing or picking at pimples pushes debris and bacteria deeper into the skin, leading to more destruction.

• Genetics - Some people are genetically prone to higher inflammation levels or overactive immune responses. This makes them more susceptible to scarring.

• Age - Scars are more common when acne develops in the teens. Puberty changes cause increased oil production and inflammation.

• Skin type - Those with oilier skin types are at higher risk because they’re vulnerable to more severe acne.

Best Treatments for Acne Scars

There are several ways to improve the appearance of acne scars. Treatment plans are tailored to suit each person’s scar types, skin type, budget, lifestyle and preferences. Options include:

Topical Creams

Over-the-counter topicals with retinoids (vitamin A derivatives) help mildly reduce scar visibility and smooth texture. Prescription retinoids like tretinoin work better since the creams penetrate deeper into the skin when applied regularly. They spur collagen growth and cell turnover to remodel damaged tissue.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels exfoliate the top layers of skin to reveal newer, smoother skin underneath. Light peels with glycolic or salicylic acid provide moderate improvements. Deeper peels induce controlled injury to trigger skin regeneration. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peels reach the dermis to stimulate collagen remodeling for more severe scars.

Microdermabrasion

This minimally invasive technique polishes the skin with fine crystals sprayed rapidly over the surface. It buffs away the scarred top layer and prompts tissue regeneration. A series of treatments is needed for optimal results. For ice pick scars, microdermabrasion may be combined with injections to fill indentations.

Microneedling

During this procedure, tiny needles puncture the skin to create micro-injuries. This kickstarts natural healing factors and collagen production to remodel scar tissue. It’s effective for shallow scars and improves skin texture. Combining it with other treatments enhances outcomes.

Laser Resurfacing

Ablative and non-ablative lasers remove damaged skin cells. Ablative lasers vaporize surface tissue while non-ablative lasers target deeper layers without removing the top skin. This stimulates collagen and elastin to smooth and plump depressed scars. It works well for hypertrophic scars too. Multiple treatments are required.

Dermal Fillers

Injectable fillers add volume to sunken areas and raise scar depressions. Hyaluronic acid fillers offer temporary improvement lasting 6-12 months. Bellafill contains polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microspheres for longer-lasting collagen stimulation and is FDA-approved for acne scars.

Subcision

This treatment uses a needle to detach tethered, anchored scars from the underlying tissue. This releases their downward pull on the skin to lift depressions. subcision initiates wound healing to deposit new collagen. Filler injections afterwards improve results.

Punch Excision

In this surgical approach, a punch tool is used to cut out individual ice pick and deep boxcar scars. The skin is reconnected with stitches in a way that minimizes indentations. Other methods like stitches alone, skin grafting or laser vaporization may also be used. Punch excision is effective for severe, localized scarring.

Can High Frequency Wands Treat Acne Scars?

High frequency wands are gaining popularity for acne treatment and can provide mild improvement for acne scars. The wands emit a high-frequency alternating current that generates gentle heat and a germicidal form of light called ozone.

When applied to the skin, the heat and ozone increase blood circulation, kill bacteria, stimulate cell renewal and boost collagen production. This helps normalize oil secretion, fade pigmentation, and improve skin texture.

Regular use will mildly reduce the appearance of scars and make them less noticeable. It may flatten and smooth out raised scars. However, high frequency treatment isn’t as aggressive or effective as laser resurfacing, chemical peels or needling procedures that target deeper scar tissue.

The wands are generally safe for most skin types. Possible side effects include redness, stinging and irritation. They should be avoided on active acne breakouts or open wounds. Proper technique is important to prevent burns.

High frequency wands work best as an at-home maintenance option between professional treatments. The improvement is gradual and repeated use is required. For severely scarred skin, combine it with other procedures like fillers or microneedling to enhance results. Consult a dermatologist regarding appropriate treatment plans for your scar type and severity.

Conclusion

Acne scarring can make people feel insecure but modern treatments offer new hope. While scars can’t be removed completely, their appearance can be significantly minimized. Topical retinoids, chemical peels and microneedling stimulate tissue remodeling to smooth and soften scars over time. Punch excision, lasers and dermal fillers effectively address more pronounced scarring.

An integrative approach is recommended, using high frequency wands to maintain results between in-office treatments. With a diligent skincare routine and procedures tailored to your individual needs, you can reveal clear, healthy skin. Consult an experienced dermatologist to develop a customized treatment plan.