The Different Types of Acne Scars
Facial scarring is usually caused by scars that were left behind by an acne inflamation. There are two main classes of acne scars, defined by tissue reaction to inflammation:
(1) Scars caused by exaggerated tissue generation, and
(2) Scars caused by loss of tissue.
Scars Caused by Increased Tissue Formation.
The creation of scars caused by exaggerated tissue generation is called keloids. Keloid scars are linked to disproportioned amounts of the cell substance, collagen. The overproduction of collagen is the body's reaction to damaged skin cells. This excess becomes piled up in fibrous accumulations, resulting in a distinctive firm, smooth, irregularly-shaped scars.
Keloid scars are 1 to 2 millimeters in diameter, but some can reach 1 centimeter or larger. Some people with relatives who have developed keloids scars are more susceptible to suffer from the same condition.
Keloid scars will be with you for years, but may diminish in size over time.
Scars Caused by Loss of Tissue
Acne scars linked with loss of tissue, like scars resulting from chicken pox, are more common than keloids. Scars linked with loss of tissue are:
Ice-pick Scars or Pitted Scars
Usually appear on the cheek. They are usually small, with visible jagged edges and steep side-like wounds that seem to create an "ice-picked" shape. Ice-pick scars may be shallow or deep, and may be hard or soft to the touch. Soft scars can be improved by stretching the skin; hard ice-pick scars cannot be stretched out.
Depressed fibrotic scars
Are usually quite large, with sharp edges and steep sides. The base of these scars is firm to the touch. Ice-pick scars may change into depressed fibrotic scars over time.
Soft scars
Superficial or deep and feel soft when touched. They have gently sloping rolled edges that combine with normal skin. They use to be small, and either circular or linear in shape.
Atrophic macules
Are usually fairly small when they appear on the face, but may be a centimeter or more on the body. They are soft, usually with a slightly wrinkled base, and may be bluish in appearance due to the blood vessels lying just under the scar. Over time, these scars fade from bluish to ivory white in color in white-skinned people, and become much less obvious.
Follicular macular atrophy
They are more likely to appear on the chest or back of a person with acne. These are tiny, white, soft lesions, often barely raised above the surface of the skin something like whiteheads that didn't fully develop. This condition is usually called "perifollicular elastolysis." The lesions may persist for months to years.
Organic Ingredient Revolutionizes Acne Scar Treatment
Imbalanced tissue production can't be curbed with an everyday acne treatment product that is only capable of treating some acne breakouts. By applying these products you will likely end-up with a drier skin texture that can present side-effects such as sun sensitivity, irritation or simply show no change at all. Your best bet is to apply natural ingredients that bring collagen production back-up to normal and help dissolve and regenerate scars.
The majority of all regenerative ingredients contain natural oils, but only one ingredient is capable of supplying a balanced mix of ingredients that trigger skin repair. That unbelievable ingredient comes from a snail and is considered the newest revolution in skin and scar treatment. Investigation has shown that snail secretion contains a balanced mix of naturally occurring vitamins, elastane, glycolic acid, allantoine and collagen, however, you have to keep in mind that complete scar renewal depends on the treatment itself and the extension of the scar.
So next time you look at your skin and wonder why all the acne treatments in the world haven't changed a thing, try using an natural ingredient that treats and regenerates scarred skin.
Acne marks can now be erased applying a natural solution for acne and other skin ailments. Visiting our website you'll find useful information about a safe solution for acne scars.
Published October 23rd, 2007
Filed in Health