Even after your acne has healed, you may be plagued with scars that affect your self-confidence. While having a good skin care regimen can help prevent future breakouts, it won’t do much for acne scars. Fortunately, there are options for acne scar treatment in Nashville that can reduce the appearance of scars and give you a smoother complexion.
What Type of Acne Scarring Do I Have?
Before we can make recommendations for acne scar treatment in Nashville, it’s important to identify the type of acne scars you have. The long term scarring left behind by acne can vary greatly and treatment options will be dependent on the type and severity of your scarring.
5 Types of Acne Scars
Boxcar Scars: These are broad, box-like depressions in your skin with well-defined edges. They are usually caused by inflammatory acne which creates craters in the skin.
Ice Pick Scars: These narrow, deep indentations look like small punctures in the skin, resembling the mark that an ice pick would leave behind. This type of scarring is often the most difficult to treat with acne scar treatment in Nashville.
Rolling Scars: These indentations in your skin have sloping edges and wave-like appearance. Skin may appear very textured and scars do not have defined edges like boxcar or ice pick scars.
Hypertrophic or Keloid Scars: Caused by an excess of collagen production during acne healing, these are raised bumps on the surface of the skin.
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmention: You may experience darkened patches on your skin caused by overproduction in melanin.
Unfortunately, some acne scarring can get worse as you age and lose elasticity in your skin. Over-the-counter treatments are unlikely to make any significant difference in the appearance of acne scars. However, with professional acne scar treatment in Nashville from a dermatologist, you can experience an improvement in the appearance of scars and your overall skin tone and texture.
Acne Scar Treatment Options
Laser Therapy: Laser therapy can be a very effective option for acne scar treatment in Nashville. Lasers work by targeting the scar tissue beneath the skin’s surface, breaking it down and promoting collagen production. The damaged cells are replaced by new, healthy skin.
Microneedling: With this treatment, your dermatologist uses a specialized device to create microwounds in the skin. As the skin heals, collagen production is stimulated and new skin cells are generated. This improves your skin texture and reduces the appearance of scars.
Dermal Fillers: Dermal fillers are a non-surgical solution for deep atrophic scars. By carefully injecting filler into the scar, the skin is plumped, smoothing the scar. While this solution is not permanent, it does offer immediate results with minimal downtime.
Chemical Peels: Chemical peels use a solution applied to the skin’s surface that exfoliates the top layer of skin. This treatment is effective in improving the appearance of mild scars. It will also improve hyperpigmentation and skin texture, resulting in a refreshed appearance.
Topical Treatments: For mild scarring, prescription topical treatments may be effective. This is a minimally invasive option that over time can improve the appearance of your skin. Topical treatments your dermatologist may suggest include retinoids, salicylic acid, vitamin C, and glycolic acid.
Medical and Cosmetic Dermatology in Nashville
If you’re ready to improve your appearance and boost your self-confidence, the dermatology team at Advanced Skin and Laser Center can help. We have been treating medical and cosmetic dermatology patients for over 30 years and can help develop a treatment plan to give you your best skin. For smoother, scar-free skin, call our office today at 615-843-SKIN to learn more about acne scar treatment in Nashville.