Acne is often thought of as being a “teenager’s problem”, but unfortunately many individuals suffer from acne well into their adulthood, leaving behind scars long after they are gone.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne scars are caused by breakouts that penetrate deep into the skin and damage the skin along with the tissue beneath it. In order to repair the damaged tissue, the body produces new collagen fibres.
There are generally two types of acne scars: (i) atrophic scars and (ii) hypertrophic scars or raised scars. Atrophic scars are formed when too little collagen is produced, while hypertrophic scars or raised scars, are caused by the overproduction of collagen. Based on their appearance, atrophic scars can be further categorised as ice pick scars, boxcar scars and rolling scars, while keloids are a form of hypertrophic scars.
Scarring often occurs in individuals who have inflammatory acne (swollen, reddish and painful) and those who tend to pick, squeeze or pop their acne. Genetics also play a role, and those who have blood relatives who suffer from acne scars are often more at risk of suffering from acne than those who do not.
To tackle acne scars, you must tackle the acne; so reducing the occurrence of acne will reduce one’s likelihood of developing acne scars. So once acne develops, it’s best to treat it immediately. Along with a regular and suitable skincare regimen to remove excess oil and bacteria in the skin, over-the-counter topical creams are the most common solution for resolving acne and acne scars. However, to visibly reduce acne scars, treatments must penetrate or stimulate skin renewal at deeper levels than that which can be reached by topical creams, such as those highlighted below:
- EndyMed’s Non-invasive Micro-needling and RF Treatment
EndyMed
Now there is an FDA-approved, minimally-invasive treatment that combines micro-needling and RF technology to deliver more effective results for the treatment of scars known as EndyMed. With EndyMed’s microneedle fractional radio frequency (MFRF) technology, micro-punctures are created on the skin’s surface and RF energy is delivered deep within, to stimulate fibroblasts and encourage the production of more new collagen and elastin fibres. RF energy is delivered to both layers of the skin simultaneously, resulting in epidermal resurfacing and deeper dermal remodelling. Because the device delivers the energy in a controlled manner, ensuring that the skin temperature remains at around 38° to 40° during treatment, there is little to no discomfort for the patient.
Dr Kenneth Thean of Ensoul Medical Clinic, Singapore, says, “EndyMed is not only safe and effective in treating acne scars but also improves skin texture, reduces pore size and firms the skin; offering far superior results than that of fractional CO2 lasers.”
2. PicoLO Laser Treatment
A good laser treatment can be effective in the removal of scars, but not all lasers are created equal. The PicoLO laser is a next-generation picosecond laser that utilises photoacoustic impact to directly target scars.
With wavelengths of 1064nm and 532nm, PicoLO delivers ultra-short bursts of energy akin to a shockwave – so fast and powerful that it is able to impact the targeted area without damaging surrounding cells or tissues. This minimises the risk of damage to the skin, which is often associated with previous generation nanosecond lasers that utilise photothermal (heat) energy.
PicoLO provides the highest level of stability in energy output and pulse duration in the market, making it safer, less painful, and capable of more precise applications than other pico lasers. It is suitable for reducing the appearance of mild to moderate acne scars, particularly pigmented scars.
3. Rejuran Skin Healer
Polynucleotide (PN) and Polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRN) have been shown to have regenerative and restorative effects on our cells and tissues, and now these elixirs of youth are easily accessible as one of the most powerful skin healers in the market, Rejuran.
Rejuran is a treatment containing PN/PDRN, which when injected into the skin, boosts the skin’s own ability to heal wounds and reduce inflammation. Unlike lasers or microneedling treatments which work by causing micro injuries to the skin thus encouraging it to repair itself, the PN/PDRN in Rejuran helps to kick-start our skin’s self-regenerating abilities, while working to improve the skin’s condition from the inside out.
The PN in Rejuran revitalises the skin by promoting cell growth through fibroblast production, thus not only improving the skin’s own regenerative capability and skin elasticity, but also enhancing skin tone and texture by balancing oil and moisture levels. Harvested from the DNA of salmon sperm, Rejuran’s properties are safe, stable and biocompatible with human skin.
According to Dato’ Dr Liow Tiong Sin from Signature Clinic, Malaysia, “Rejuran is often used in combination with other treatments, including hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers for even better overall results for the skin.”
All these treatments have been proven to be highly effective and safe in treating acne scars and improving overall quality and texture of skin, because they stimulate the skin’s natural rejuvenation and healing processes, and in the case of Rejuran even enhances this capability.
