Acne inflammation occurs when blocked hair follicles become infected, causing swelling, redness, and scarring. Dermatological treatments can reduce the appearance of scars, but prevention is the most effective method. Topical or oral medications can keep acne under control and reduce scarring.
Acne inflammation occurs when blocked hair follicles that have been infected with bacteria break down, causing swelling, irritation, and redness on the skin’s surface. This rupture causes damage to the skin tissue surrounding the affected follicle, and scarring is a result of the body’s attempt to repair this damaged tissue. These scars can be raised or sunken. There are several dermatological treatments that can reduce the appearance of scars caused by acne inflammation.
An acne breakout begins when a hair follicle becomes blocked by dead skin. The bacteria and oil that are trapped under this dead skin cause the follicle to become infected and eventually rupture. If the follicle ruptures near the skin’s surface, as is the case with blackheads and whiteheads, swelling and irritation are usually minimal. When the follicle ruptures deep below the skin’s surface, however, the infection is released into the surrounding tissue, causing it to become damaged. The immune system sends out white blood cells to fight the infection, causing inflammation, redness, and often pain in the area.
Scarring caused by acne inflammation is actually the result of the body’s attempt to repair tissue damaged by a follicle rupture. Rebuilding damaged tissue requires collagen, which is the protein that gives skin strength and elasticity. Often, however, the body produces an improper amount of collagen at the repair site. Too much collagen causes raised patches of skin, also known as keloid scars. Conversely, a lack of collagen at the repair site can cause sunken areas on the skin’s surface, also known as atrophic scars.
There are a number of dermatological treatments that can reduce the appearance of scarring caused by acne inflammation. Minor scars can often be greatly improved with microdermabrasion or a chemical peel, which strip away the outer layer of skin to reveal smoother skin underneath. Those with severe acne scars might consider dermabrasion or laser therapy. While these treatments can significantly smooth the skin’s surface, it should be noted that they are more aggressive than those used for minor scars and generally take between one and three weeks to heal.
Preventing acne inflammation is perhaps the most effective way to avoid scarring. Acne sufferers who are concerned about scarring should see a dermatologist. In many cases, a routine of topical or oral medications can keep acne under control, greatly reducing the occurrence of scarring.
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