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Knowledge Is Power:
Going More than Skin Deep on Acne Scarring
(BPT) - Acne, even when
it’s mild, can result in scarring. In fact, at least 40% of people with acne also have scars. But along with acne and scars come inevitable questions: Who is at risk for scarring, and what can be done to prevent it? What’s the tipping point to schedule a visit to the dermatologist? And most importantly, why won’t these pesky blemishes just go away? e entire process can be emotional, confusing and overwhelming.
In an e ort to “breakdown breakouts,” New York City der- matologist Dr. Josh Zeichner,
a leading acne researcher and expert advisor for Galderma Laboratories, o ers the follow- ing guidance:
“First and foremost, you’re
not alone,” states Dr. Zeichner.
“So many of my patients come
in for acne - from one-o
breakouts to cystic.” Acne is the most com- mon skin condition in the United States, a ecting up to 50 million Americans annually and approximately 85% of young people. Treating brown marks as if they’re scars? Take a closer look: it could actually just be hyperpigmentation. “In ammation a er a breakout revs up pigment produc- tion as part of the normal healing process of the skin, creating a dark spot that is fre- quently mistaken for a scar,” Dr. Zeichner says. “ ose with lighter complexions may be le with marks that are red or purple
in color.”True scars are broken down into
two categories: depressed and raised.”- Depressed scars are ‘pits’ in the skin and also referred to as atrophic scars,” adds Dr. Zeichner. “When speaking to a dermatolo- gist, keep an ear out for words like ‘boxcar,’ ‘icepick’ and ‘rolling.’ ese are all speci c types of depressed scars.” “Raised scars are more common on the back and chest. You may hear a dermatologist refer to them as ‘hypertrophic,’” notes Dr. Zeichner. Take notice of the other kinds of “scars” that may result from treating acne. When treat- ing acne scars, individuals have reported feeling embarrassment or low self-esteem
(41%), frustration/anger/sad- ness (31%) and an a ect on their professional lives (22%). “ ere are powerful psycho- logical and emotional e ects from acne that should be acknowledged and addressed accordingly,” says Dr. Zeichner. “Pay attention to your feel- ings and don’t keep it inside
if you need to talk to a friend, family member or your doctor.” Concerned about scarring?
Nip it in the bud, and leave it to the pros. “Early, aggressive and appropriate treatment of acne is important as it may e ectively decrease the risk of developing acne scarring to be- gin with,” stresses Dr. Zeichner. “Everyone’s skin is di erent, and visiting a dermatologist will help establish a personal- ized plan of action.”Above all, always remember that with the right tools, acne can be a man-
ageable, treatable condition. e best path forward is to get a clear understanding of one’s acne from a dermatologist, who can help develop a customized treatment reg- imen. Not only are there trusted prescrip- tion treatments proven to ght existing and prevent future acne, but new research is also on the horizon demonstrating how treatment can help reduce the risk of acne scarring.
Net-net, don’t lose hope! Tackling acne early and quickly using powerful ingredi- ents will lead the way to clearer, healthier skin.
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