Whenever scars are mentioned, we automatically think of pockmarks, or raised scars that are dark or pale in colour from previous trauma to the skin caused by wounds, burns and accidents for instance. 

What are scars really? Simply put, they are the result of body’s natural healing response to injury. When the dermis is damaged, new collagen fibers are formed by the body to repair the damage, resulting in a scar. The new scar tissue is different in texture and appearance to the surrounding tissue, and its appearance depends on a myriad of factors such as the nature of the wound, genetics, lifestyle and diet, and how well the wound was being taken care of. 

Which is why there are so many different type of scars. Some scars are hypertrophic or raised; some are atrophic scars that appear as depressions in the skin which are common with patients with acne, and then there are keloids, which are quite difficult to treat. 

Acne scars which appear as depressions can become more noticeable as we age because our skin loses collagen. If the acne scars bother you, there are many safe and effective treatments available these days such as fractional laser resurfacing as there is less downtime and risks of PIH as compared to a decade ago when fully ablative CO2 lasers were the only option. Research has shown that Hyaluronic acid fillers also stimulate fibroblasts to produce more collagen and tiny droplets of the HA filler can be injected underneath the scar, lifting and filling in the depression.  Q-switched lasers, peels, and lightening agents can also help speed up the fading of the discolouration left behind by acne breakouts and wounds. 

A multimodal approach is usually recommended to see optimal results. Typically, patients with would need to come to the clinic regularly for a series of treatments. 

It is important to ensure that your skin is well taken care of post procedure, and a suitable home care regimen will be recommended to keep the treated area clean and moist.  This can help to minimise the likelihood of inflammation and infection, and help the new collagen to rebuild beautifully. 

We recommend drinking lots of water as dehydration can lead to poor oxygenation, prevent nutrient uptake by the cells and delay the healing process. A topical Vitamin C such as Skinceuticals’ CE Ferulic can be applied daily as it is a potent antioxidant that is clinically proven to help reduce the post laser symptoms such as redness, swelling, peeling and flaking.  

Here at Acclaro, we offer:

• Fraxel ® Dual Laser System
• Laser toning and rejuvenation with Medlite C6
• Intense-pulsed light (IPL) therapy with the Sciton BBL
• Skinboosters by Restylane
• Chemical peels
• Vitamin C Iontophoresis
• Skincare high in antioxidants and brightening agents
• Oral supplements such as Crystal Tomato and Heliocare Oral Sunblock