what are atrophic scars?
an atrophic scar is an indented scar that heals below the normal layer of skin tissue. atrophic scars form when the skin is unable to regenerate tissue. as a result, it leaves behind imbalanced scarring.
atrophic scars are often the result of severe acne or chickenpox. they can also form after having a mole removed. the indentation can form into one of three types of scarring:
● ice pick scars. these scars are small and narrow, resembling deep pores.
● boxcar scars. boxcar indentations look like chickenpox scars. they have flat bottoms and defined borders.
● rolling scars. this type of scar doesn’t have distinct edges. it is usually found on the cheeks.
5 atrophic scar treatments
atrophic scars are the most common type of
acne scars. they are subdivided into three main categories: ice pick, boxcar, and rolling scars. treatment depends on the type of scar you have. atrophic scars can be difficult to treat and can require multiple procedures that may need to be repeated over a period of time.
a licensed dermatologist can guide you through your treatment and provide recommendations to help speed your recovery. when discussing your options with a dermatologist, understand there is a risk your treatment may not be effective and could leave behind a new scar.
chemical peels are a common treatment method. the peeling process involves destroying the damaged layer of skin by applying chemicals to its surface. the chemical solution causes your skin to peel, producing a fresh layer underneath.
this regeneration decreases the appearance of atrophic scars. peels can take days to weeks to show improvement. in some cases, your skin requires substantial time to heal.
different chemical agents are used depending on the severity of your scarring. they range from mild chemicals used in everyday
skin care products — such as glycolic acid — to chemicals used in deeper peels — such as phenol — that require sedation before being applied to the skin.
soft-tissue
fillers are a common treatment specifically for rolling atrophic
acne scars. they are used to level or raise the indented scars to match the normal layer of skin.
fillers are injected under the scar and provide almost immediate results. over time, the soft tissue
fillers improve skin volume and decrease scarring appearance.
skin needling or microneedling therapy is a method that punctures the skin to regenerate a healthier layer. the microneedling procedure involves rolling a group of needles over your skin in various directions. these needles create hundreds of punctures on your skin and cause new
collagen to form.
this therapy method triggers your skin to regenerate and increase collagen, a protein necessary to maintain skin elasticity and health.
punch excision treatments are another common method for treating and eliminating atrophic
acne scars, specifically ice pick scars. in this procedure, your doctor uses a needle the size of your scar to cut out the scar tissue. then, your doctor closes the wound with stitches. if your scars are more severe, your doctor will take a small skin graft from behind your ear to fill the wound.
the
punch excision and replacement graft methods may result in an uneven skin
pigmentation and marks from the stitching. be sure to discuss the risks with your doctor before starting.
the
subcision method loosens the area around the indented scar and creates a new wound that can heal properly and match your normal layer of skin.
during this procedure, your doctor will insert a needle under the skin repeatedly in various directions around the scar tissue, using a fanning motion. after the procedure, pressure and ice should be applied to the affected site to prevent bleeding.
subcision may be repeated if your scar is more severe.
healing scars
one study found that vitamin e and aquaphor ointments were no different in healing 90 percent of scars in people who had recently had patches of skin cancer removed. and one-third of the participants who used vitamin e developed a red, itchy rash called contact dermatitis.
however, a different study found that children with surgical scars who used vitamin e three times a day didn’t develop keloids, or extra scar tissue over the wound. researchers concluded that using a topical form of vitamin e before and after surgery improved the way wounds healed.
research on how vitamin e can treat acne and heal its scars is inconclusive. there’s little proof that vitamin e oil can help heal scars. however, it’s possible that ingesting it through food or as a supplement can help your body heal in other ways.
supplements for healing
some researchtrusted source suggests that vitamin e supplements can be effective for people with severe damage to their skin. vitamin e can support your body in several aspects of the healing process.
for example, vitamin e protects the body’s tissues from free radicals, which can damage cells and accelerate aging. it’s also critical for the formation of red blood cells, which distribute oxygen around the body. both functions are vital to healing.