June 14, 2022

Many patients with acne seek treatment to eliminate their breakouts and promote smooth skin. Although many therapies effectively eliminate acne, they leave behind scars that can interfere with a patient’s goals. However, before starting any acne scar treatment Coral Gables, your physician will develop an approach to eliminate your acne without any room for new scars to form.

What are acne scars?

Acne scars develop on patients’ skin whose breakouts penetrate deep into the skin damaging the underlying tissue. There are different types of acne scars. Your doctor will complete a complete evaluation of your skin to understand the acne scars and thus develop an appropriate management approach that will restore flawless skin.

A physical examination is also necessary to help your doctor determine your skin tone. Skin tone is another factor influencing treatment type. For example, deep laser treatments are not for patients with darker skin tones because they are predisposed to scarring and pigmentation. Most physicians pretreat darker skin tones with 4% hydroquinone before proceeding to other treatments like micro-needling.

Atrophic acne scars

Another name for this type of scar is depressed acne scars—the most prevalent location for atrophic acne scars in the face. Most patients develop atrophic acne scars because of inadequate collagen production to support wound healing after acne treatment. Atrophic acne scars form under skin tissue. The three main types of atrophic scars include:

• Boxcar: These atrophic scars cover a wide surface area. Moreover, boxcar scars are U-shaped and with sharp edges. Microdermabrasion is the perfect treatment for shallow boxcar acne scars because the treatment leverages skin resurfacing techniques that eliminate any concerns through peeling. Post-inflammatory pigmentation may develop in dark skin-toned patients who undergo laser resurfacing for boxcar treatment. Physicians prescribe 4% hydroquinone for at least a month before treatment.
• Icepick: Although these scars may be narrow, they develop deep into the skin tissue. For this reason, a physician needs to create a treatment that will eliminate these v-shaped scars from the inside.
• Rolling: These atrophic scars cover a wide area and have irregular shapes.

Hypertrophic scars

These acne scars mainly develop in the chest and back. The main cause of these raised scars is the overproduction of collagen during skin healing.

What is the best treatment for acne scars?

Physician intervention is crucial for treatment efficacy because it involves accurate scar diagnosis to develop an ideal approach to eliminate patient concerns. The main treatments physicians recommend for acne scar reduction may involve:

• Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs): This approach is effective because AHAs found in acne treatment products eliminate dead skin cells that might be flogging the pores and thus promote efficacy. This treatment is ideal for all types of acne scars and is the perfect solution for patients who seek to make their acne scars less noticeable.
• Lactic acid: This treatment is what you need if you wish to lighten your scars and improve your skin texture and appearance. Lactic acid is also effective in improving skin pigmentation. You may try diluting Apple cider vinegar and applying it as a toner because it contains natural lactic acid. However, it would be best to collaborate with a professional before trying at-home treatment because they may worsen your condition, especially if you have sensitive skin. Contact Martha Viera, MD, to start on the best acne scar treatment that will improve your skin appearance and thus boost your self-confidence.

Usually, eczema and rashes affect your physical appearance and lower your self-esteem because you are not confident in how you look. For this reason, most people try both cosmetic and medical methods to help improve their appearance. Normally rashes appear first, and if itching persists, it’s called eczema. Therefore, if you or your loved one has rashes or eczema and seeking a solution, eczema & rashes, Santa Barbara specialists offer the help you need. The specialists are qualified and experienced dermatologists who ensure your needs are met. Let’s learn more about eczema & rashes below.

What is the difference between rashes and eczema?

A rash is usually caused by skin irritation or allergic reactions. Other rashes also form in response to particular medications. In other cases, it can be due to an unwanted effect of a disease like shingles and lupus. On the other hand, eczema usually forms when a rash causes severe itching, which persists for a long time. The most common type of eczema is atopic dermatitis, characterized by small bumps, redness, and oozing pus. It can also present as scalp or hand rashes or rashes that leave a scaly plaque on your legs or arms. Allergic reactions to cleaning products or chemicals can also lead to the formation of eczema. Some factors that worsen your eczema include stress, sweat, and temperature changes. In some cases, genetics also is a risk factor for developing eczema.

When should you be concerned about your eczema?

Mostly, rashes usually make your skin appear dry and very itchy. Eczema can persist for weeks or even months, causing symptoms such as small raised bumps, itchiness during the night, cracked skin, hay fever attacks, sensitive skin, or red to brown-gray patches on your skin. Eczema can form on your hands, upper chest, neck, and feet. It can also appear on your scalp and face. Most rashes are not caused by eczema. However, if your rashes cause persistent skin irritation, you are advised to seek medical help.

How are eczema rashes treated?

In most cases, rashes usually heal on their own after the irritant or allergen is removed. If they do not heal on their own, your care provider may prescribe some oral prescription or topical medications. Of importance to note is that eczema cannot be treated. Your care provider only manages your symptoms and prevents them from flaring up. Some of the treatment options that are part of your customized plan include topical or oral medications, wet dressings, antihistamines, light therapy, antibiotic medications, specialized moisturizers, or antifungal creams. Your health care specialist also educates you on the various preventive measures to prevent your eczema from flaring up, like lifestyle changes like avoiding extreme wind and temperature. Doing so plays an essential role in preventing eczema from worsening and also reduces its severity.

Eczema or skin rashes lower your self-esteem, leading to stigmatization if they are severe. Most people usually associate eczema with some health condition that can be spread through contact. People stay away from you because they assume that they can also develop the same condition through contact. Therefore, if you have rashes and seek treatment, you can start by booking your appointment at LUX Dermatology today.