While the development of acne is typically associated with hormonal changes that occur during puberty, adults can encounter this skin condition as well. Acne flare-ups can be caused by hormone imbalances, seasonal weather changes, improper skincare routines, and many other factors.
Oftentimes, your acne outbreak will clear up on its own, especially if you treat it with an acne cream or other topical medication. However, that is not always the case. In some instances, severe acne can cause scarring that impacts the overall appearance of your skin.
Fortunately, you can address these imperfections with acne scar treatments from Enriched Aesthetics near Harding Township, NJ.
What Causes Acne Scarring?
Acne develops when pores become clogged with bacteria, dead skin cells, oil, and other debris. Clogged pores can become inflamed and might become infected. Pore infections create pimples.
The majority of the time, acne only causes shallow lesions. These skin breaks may create a mild amount of discomfort, but they usually heal within a few days to a week.
However, severely infected pores can create a deep lesion. As your body heals and regenerates, the new skin can sometimes be discolored or rougher than the surrounding area of your face.
Several different types of acne scarring can develop. One variety is known as keloid scarring, which occurs when your body generates an excessive amount of collagen. Keloid scars are areas of raised tissue that can disrupt the normal contours of your face.
Depressed or atrophic scars are another type of skin imperfection created by acne. These scars are created when you lose small amounts of facial tissue. Depressed scars may look like “icepick” punctures or broader depressed areas, which are often referred to as “boxcar scars.”
How Can Acne Scarring Be Treated?
There are several different acne scar treatments available. More minor cases of acne scarring can be treated using chemical peels or facials. These interventions can rejuvenate the skin and reduce the appearance of acne scars. However, these treatments may not be effective if you are experiencing severe acne scarring.
A highly effective acne scar treatment known as skin resurfacing is often a better fit for patients with significant skin imperfections. This cutting-edge treatment uses a CO2 laser to address skin concerns and scarring.
What is Skin Resurfacing?
Skin resurfacing is a modern facial treatment used to address concerns such as acne scarring, blemishes, and age-related imperfections. Skin resurfacing is interchangeably referred to as “laser resurfacing.” This is because the treatment is performed using a CO2 laser.
Skin resurfacing with a CO2 laser is a good option for patients who have acne scarring, wrinkles, or fine lines. While some clients explore facials or chemical peels before opting for CO2 laser skin resurfacing, others begin their journey to healthier skin with this highly effective treatment.
How is Skin Resurfacing Performed?
During skin resurfacing, our licensed provider will use the CO2 laser to eradicate the damaged outer layer of your skin. The best CO2 lasers emit ultrashort pulses of light. By removing the outer layer of skin, the CO2 laser can stimulate your body’s natural healing process and reduce the severity of scarring.
What to Expect During Treatment
Before you can receive skin resurfacing, you must meet with an experienced skincare specialist at Enriched Aesthetics. We will evaluate your medical history and assess your skin. From there, we will discuss your options and help you determine whether skin resurfacing is the right acne scar treatment for your goals.
If you decide to move forward with skin resurfacing, we will tell you how to prepare for your treatment. For instance, you may need to stop taking certain supplements and medications approximately ten days before your procedure.
Additionally, you will need to carefully wash your face and avoid applying any cosmetic products on the day of your procedure.
When you arrive, we will begin your skin resurfacing with the CO2 laser. The treatment can take as little as 30 minutes for spot treatments. In contrast, full-face acne scar treatments can take up to approximately two hours.
Once the treatment is complete, our care provider will need to bandage the area. It is important that you adhere to all aftercare procedures in order to achieve optimal results.
How Long Will It Take to See Results?
The time it takes to heal from your skin resurfacing treatment will vary depending on several factors, including your age, health history, and the size of the area that was resurfaced.
For example, younger patients who only have a few select areas of their face treated with the CO2 laser may heal slightly faster than older clients who undergo full-face resurfacing.
The typical healing process can range from approximately ten days to three weeks. After the initial healing is complete, you should experience skin improvements over the next few weeks to a few months.
Common benefits that you may experience include less-pronounced acne scarring, improvements to fine lines and wrinkles, and a softer overall appearance.
Acne Scar Treatment near Harding Township, NJ
While CO2 laser acne scar treatment is not for everyone, it is an effective option that has helped numerous patients achieve their aesthetic goals. If you would like to find out whether you are a candidate or want to explore other acne scar treatment options, the best solution is to schedule a consultation with Enriched Aesthetics.
Our modern clinic is located near Harding Township, NJ and we also serve patients in the neighboring communities. Contact us today to book your consultation for acne scar treatment.
