How to get rid of Acne Scars | Dr Davin Lim

Summary

In this informative session, board-certified dermatologist Devin Lim discusses effective at-home acne scar treatments. He explains the types of acne scars, including pigment changes and atrophic scars, and offers practical solutions like sunscreen use, salicylic acid for exfoliation, and niacinamide to reduce redness. Lim also covers the use of retinol for scar remodeling and the potential of vitamin C for skin protection and pigmentation treatment. He highlights the importance of a consistent skincare routine to prevent further scarring and suggests professional treatments for deeper scars, such as TCA, micro-needling, and laser therapies.

Takeaways

• 😀 Acne scars can be categorized into two main types: pigment changes and atrophic scars.
• 🔍 Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) presents as dark spots, while post-inflammatory erythema (PIE) as red scars.
• 🌞 Sunscreen is essential for managing PIH and PIE, helping to prevent further pigmentation changes.
• 🧼 Salicylic acid can help exfoliate the skin and reduce pigment buildup, improving skin texture and tone.
• 💡 Ingredients like azelaic acid, kojic acid, and arbutin can be used for specific skin lightening and pigment reduction.
• 🍋 Niacinamide (vitamin B3) can help reduce skin inflammation and treat PIE, the red acne scars.
• 🚀 Starting with a low concentration of retinol, such as 0.1 percent, and gradually increasing as tolerated can help remodel collagen and improve acne scars.
• 🌱 Retinoids, prescription-strength versions of retinol, are more potent but may cause side effects like redness and irritation.
• 🍋 Vitamin C, E, and ferulic acid can act as antioxidants, protect the skin, and help with photoaging and pigmentation.
• 🔧 At-home treatments like micro-needling and the use of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) can address deep atrophic scars.
• 🏥 Professional treatments such as fractional laser resurfacing, vascular lasers, and subcision can target specific types of acne scars more aggressively.

Q & A

What are acne scars and how do they form?

Acne scars are marks left on the skin after acne has healed. They can be a result of the body's healing process following inflammation and damage to the skin caused by acne.

What are the two types of acne scars mentioned in the script?

The two types of acne scars mentioned are pigment changes, which include post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark spots) and post-inflammatory erythema (red spots), and atrophic acne scars which are depressed scars including boxcar, rolling, ice pick, and deep atrophic scars.

How can post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation be managed at home?

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can be managed at home by using a high factor SPF sunscreen twice a day to protect the skin from further pigmentation, and by using exfoliating products containing salicylic acid to reduce pigment buildup.

What ingredients can help with reducing pigmentation and brightening the skin?

Ingredients such as salicylic acid, azelaic acid, kojic acid, and skin lightening products like arbutin can help reduce pigmentation and brighten the skin.

How can post-inflammatory erythema be treated?

Post-inflammatory erythema, or red acne scars, can be treated with niacinamide (vitamin B3) to reduce skin inflammation and by using sunscreens to reduce the incidence of erythema.

What is the role of retinol in treating acne scars?

Retinol, a form of vitamin A, helps remodel the scar tissue, decreases the amount of depression in the skin, and improves collagen production, which can be beneficial for both flat and atrophic acne scars.

What is the difference between retinol and retinoid in treating acne scars?

Retinoids are prescription-strength versions of retinol and generally work more effectively but can cause side effects such as redness, drying, stinging, or skin irritation. Retinol is available over the counter and is less potent but can still be effective for home treatments.

How can atrophic acne scars be treated at home?

At home treatments for atrophic acne scars can include the use of retinol to remodel collagen, micro-needling to stimulate collagen production, and over-the-counter chemical peels like trichloroacetic acid (TCA).

What are the benefits of using vitamin C, E, and ferulic acid in skincare?

Vitamin C, E, and ferulic acid act as powerful antioxidants, protect the skin, help with photoaging by building collagen, and can treat pigmentation, especially with the use of ascorbic acid (vitamin C).

What types of lasers are used to treat acne scars and how do they work?

Vascular lasers target redness by cooling the skin and targeting hemoglobin in blood vessels. Fractional laser resurfacing targets atrophic scars by penetrating deep into the dermis to remodel collagen. CO2 and erbium lasers can penetrate deeply but are painful and have a longer recovery time.

Why is starting a skincare routine important for acne-prone skin?

Starting a skincare routine is important to reduce the occurrence of acne and mitigate the formation of new scars. It can also amplify the results of professional treatments by maintaining the skin's health and addressing issues like pigmentation and inflammation.