Houston specialists tailor effective treatment to type of acne scarring

Finding effective treatment in and around Houston begins with understanding the nature of your acne and the scarring it has left behind. Once Dr. W Dermatology’s professionals have examined your skin, they can determine the best approach to reduce the appearance of physical scarring that lingers long after acne outbreaks have subsided.

Getting to know the acne that causes scars

When pores become clogged with oil and dead skin cells, acne can arise. Acne generally comes in 2 types:

• Non-inflammatory lesions, or whiteheads and blackheads
• Inflammatory lesions such as pimples and cysts

Inflamed red bumps and pus-filled lumps have the potential to cause scarring. By seeking treatment from the experienced and compassionate team at Dr. W Dermatology you may be able to avoid acne scars or minimize further scarring. This professional team can also reduce the look of scars with a range of treatment options designed to address your specific needs.

How and why acne scars differ

Not everyone with acne gets associated scars. About 30 percent of those suffering from acne will have some scarring if they have sufficiently severe cases of pimples or cysts. The appearance of a scar is actually the body’s way of healing itself. New collagen is produced to repair injuries to the skin caused by these outbreaks.

Not all types of acne scars are alike:

• Ice pick scars are deeply-pitted areas.
• Atrophic scars are flat or thin, and somewhat depressed.
• Hypertrophic or keloid scarring looks like thick, raised bumps.

Customized treatment

Scars can look less noticeable over time, but intervention from the professionals at Dr. W Dermatology can eliminate these blemishes and textural irregularities.

For ice pick scars, skin resurfacing may be recommended. Patients with more superficial scarring benefit from microdermabrasion, microneedling or chemical peels. Laser therapies work in much the same way as other resurfacing technique to abrade the complexion, revealing fresh skin cells and stimulating the production of collagen. A small hole may be created in the skin with punch grafting to alleviate deeper scars, for smooth, unblemished skin.

Patients with ice pick, atrophic, and other depressions caused by acne can realize improvements in saline or Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections. Properly and skillfully injected by the Dr. W Dermatology team, saline solution or PRP prompts the formation of new collagen that eventually fills in depressed scars. Dermal fillers can also be used to supplement shallow and uneven surfaces.

Our dermatology specialists have the experience necessary to suggest powerful yet safe medications and products to improve the appearance of hypertrophic scarring. These medications may be used in combination with injectables and procedures that stimulate collagen remodelling.

Each technique or product presents opportunities to improve skin quality as well as the quality of life. Call 281 771-0494 to schedule a consultation at our Houston or Katy offices.