Acne Scars
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Debra Irizarry, MD, FACS
Plastic Surgeon & Dermatologist located in Crestone, CO & Salida, CO
If you believe acne is solely a teenage problem, think again — genetics, ongoing stress, and hormonal fluctuations can trigger breakouts in adults, too. When those breakouts become severe or chronic, they’re more likely to cause long-term skin damage, including acne scars. From her top-rated practice in the towns of Salida and Crestone, Colorado, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Debra Irizarry provides comprehensive treatment options for patients who want to reduce the appearance of acne scars and other surface irregularities. To learn more, call or book your appointment online today.
Acne Scars Q & A
What causes acne?
Acne is generally the result of hair follicles that have become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. It can become inflamed or develop into painful cysts when p. acnes, the bacteria that naturally live on your skin, enter oil-clogged pores and multiply.
While it’s true that acne is more common among teens, the number of adults — particularly women — who find themselves dealing with the problem is growing. Although acne can occur on any part of your body, breakouts usually appear on the face, neck, chest, back, or shoulders.
Why is acne treatment important?
Persistent acne often seems like a non-stop cycle — just as one breakout clears up, a new one emerges. Letting acne run its course may seem harmless, but allowing it to persist unchecked is what leads to permanent skin flaws like dark spots and scarring.
Effective acne care usually combines personalized skin care products with clinical treatments, such as customized chemical peels, to improve skin texture and help eliminate breakouts. Oral and topical medication is often prescribed for more severe cases. Blue LED light therapy is also useful.
While acne can’t be cured, keeping breakouts under control can go a long way in helping prevent long-term skin damage.
How do acne scars develop?
Acne scars are one of the most common skin flaws, affecting people of all ages and skin types. While some people aren’t troubled by their scars, others feel less confident when they look in the mirror.
Acne scars are generally the result of severe or chronic breakouts, either of which can damage your epidermis all the way down to its deepest layers. The two main types of acne scars are:
Raised scars
As a breakout clears, your body produces collagen to support the healing process. If your body happens to produce too much collagen, it can cause raised acne scars, which usually affect the chest and back.
Depressed scars
If your body produces too little collagen during the healing process, it may result in depressed acne scars, or the type of surface pitting that most often appear on the facial skin.
How does laser therapy help with acne scars?
Laser skin resurfacing is one of the safest and most effective ways to diminish acne scars or erase them altogether. Dr. Irizarry uses CO2 fractional laser technology, which is considered the gold standard treatment for acne scar reduction.
CO2 fractional laser resurfacing works by delivering precision beams of energy deep into the dermis of your skin, where they cause miniscule perforations in the scar tissue.
By triggering your body’s healing response, these micro-injuries help stimulate collagen renewal and tighten underlying tissues. As a result, you’ll see smoother skin, a clearer complexion, and more uniform skin tone.
Laser therapy for acne scars promotes healthier skin with few potential side effects. It’s a versatile technique that can be used on any area or skin type; it’s also an ideal choice for patients who want to reduce the appearance of widespread scarring.
