A Brief Overview of Acne
Acne is the result of the excess production of sebum, an oil naturally created by the body to moisturize and protect the skin. Too much sebum, mixed with dirt and dead skin cells, can lead to blocked pores.
There are several types of acne, generally measured by their severity. Mild acne can include whiteheads and blackheads, as well as pustules. Cystic and nodular acne are more severe, causing small, painful lumps under the skin which often leave red marks. All can be treated (including the scarring that remains) with laser acne treatment.
Acne commonly appears on the face but can also afflict the back, neck, shoulders, chest, and buttocks. To understand acne is to see it as one of the side effects of changes in hormone levels - specifically testosterone. How these pores become blocked though has been attributed to a variety of factors.
The Reasons for Acne
The number one reason is puberty. Much like a roller coaster ride, the sudden ups and downs in testosterone levels can play havoc on one's physical appearance.
Lesser known causes have been attributed to the menstrual cycle, menopause and certain types of medication. Of the latter, it's usually the physical changes caused by taking birth control pills. And finally, there's genetics; a long family history of acne may predispose one to have it.
Acne Scarring
You've gotten rid of those clusters of pimples and zits that once plagued your face. Unfortunately, in their place are painful reminders of your plight: scars.
There are times when acne scarring simply doesn't go away. More often than not, these visible marks of past acne can remain on the skin.
There are two main types of acne scars. Hypertrophic and atrophic. Hypertrophic scarring, which is less common, happens when an excess amount of collagen is produced leading to the formation of large growths. These become what are known as keloid scars.
Atrophic scarring can be broken down into five general subcategories.
Depressed fibrotic scars, which can be just as severe, are large depressions in the skin. Sometimes these depressions are jagged.
Ice pick scars are like a milder version of depressed fibrotic scars. The depression in the skin is smaller, but just as deep. Unfortunately, it's this type of scarring that can lead to the more severe kind. Ice pick scars are the most common kind of acne scarring and may lead to depressed fibrotic scars.
Soft scars are smaller than most acne scars. They're usually round or appear as lines that meld into the surrounding skin.
Atrophic macules appear as purplish or bluish spots, generally fading into a shade paler than the surrounding skin. They may range in size up to over a centimetre.
Perifollicular elastolysis, also known as follicular macular atrophy, are small raised lesions. They look a lot like underdeveloped whiteheads.
Self-Image
For some of us, even a mild case of acne can lead to severe depression. The most important point to understanding acne and acne scarring is the impact it has on self-image. It's the impact acne has on one's self-image that makes them feel compelled to do something immediately to alleviate their condition. This immediate “solution” is to pop or pick at afflicted skin. Unfortunately, this only makes it worse, increasing the severity of acne scarring and bruising.
Getting rid of acne and acne scars isn't as difficult as it once was. With advancements in cosmetic technology, there are currently a number of effective treatments available. At Toronto Cosmetic Clinic, we offer one of the most effective, laser acne treatment
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