In this article, we will discuss everything you need to learn about the different types of atrophic scars, what they look like, how to treat them at home, and how dermatologists treat them. Keep reading to learn all about this skin issue and how to deal with it effectively!
What Are Atrophic Scars? What Does An Atrophic Scar Look Like?
Atrophic scars resemble a sunken or depressed area on the skin and often look pitted, often mistermed as open pores (1). These scars occur when you lose skin tissue, particularly collagen. Typically, your body can regenerate the lost skin tissue, but in the case of atrophic scars, it is unable to do so due to the void and volume loss. Hence, you are left with a depression on the skin. Atrophic scars may be caused due to the following factors (2):
Inflammatory factors, such as acne, chicken pox, cysts, etc., that cause collagen destruction Underlying infections Physical trauma, such as injury, burns, surgery, etc. Genetic disorders, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Atrophoderma vermiculatum
Moving on, let us look at the different types of atrophic acne scars in detail.
Different Types of Atrophic Acne Scars
When it comes to atrophic scars, the ice pick-type represents 60%–70% of total scars, the boxcar scars 20%–30%, and rolling scars 15%–25% (3). Remember that getting rid of atrophic scars depends on the type you have:
1. Boxcar Scars
These scars, typically round, oval to rectangular in shape, have a steep, well-defined border and are typically flat at the bottom. There are two ways to get rid of this scar type:
Subcision Method: This method involves popping the scarred skin back up with a needle. This will ensure that the area is no longer sunken. However, you could experience bruising for a week. Ablative Lasers: This treatment type works by inducing holes (fractionating) in the scar tissue to boost collagen formation. Note that this treatment may hurt, and you might experience redness as well as crusting for up to ten days. Microneedling Radiofrequency: This method induces collagen and also causes firming of the skin. This has lower downtime than fractional, ablative lasers.
2. Ice Pick Scars
These scars are small, deep, and narrow (<2 mm) (3). They are vertical bands of scar tissue connected to an anchor scar towards the bottom, making it look like an ice pick. Anecdotal evidence suggests that you can get this type of scar removed with a single stitch. However, note that this procedure will leave a flatter scar in turn. You can also inject the scar with a filler to fill the depression. But, the filler will only last for about 6-12 months. Microneedling Radiofrequency induces collagen and can be used effectively for ice pick scars. TCA (Trichloroacetic Acid) can also be used as a spot peel to aid scar treatment.
3. Rolling Scars
This scar is broad and crater-like, with rolling edges, and is usually wider than 4 to 5 mm (3). Laser treatment is used to treat it, especially if the scarring is severe. Before you go for a specific treatment, you must identify the scar type and follow the best practices. Keep reading.
Atrophic Scar Treatment At Home
While at-home treatments are not the gold standard for atrophic scars, some agents can be used to prime the skin and for modest resurfacing. For effective atrophic scar treatment, follow these strategies and start treatment on the right foot:
Step 1: Identify The Atrophic Scars Correctly
As mentioned earlier, atrophic scars create pits and have a sunken appearance. Make sure to consult your dermatologist and figure out what kind of scars you have. People usually have a combination of two or three types of scars post-acne. Once your doctor has examined the type, extent, and severity of your acne scarring, they will provide you with a suitable treatment plan to stimulate the skin and initiate the healing process.
Step 2: Invest In The Right Skin Care Products
Ask your dermatologist what kind of products you should use in your daily skin care routine. If you have atrophic scars, it is important that you use gentle cleansing agents to get rid of bacteria, excess dirt, and oil from your face. The idea is to keep your face clean and free from irritation due to harsh products. In addition to this, here are some other practical tips you can follow:
Always choose a moisturizer that is suitable for sensitive skin and free of any artificial dyes or fragrances. Gently massage the moisturizer into the affected area to prevent dry skin. Avoid soaps that irritate or dry out your skin. Always layer with a moisturizer afterwards. While taking a shower, pat your skin to cleanse it instead of aggressively scrubbing it. This will prevent new acne formation and pigmentation or spots.
Step 3: Go For A Silicone-Based Gel
While there is no research claiming the efficacy of topical treatments on atrophic scars, you can use silicone-based gel products to soften them. These products are especially suitable for use on chicken pox lesions to prevent worsening of scarring. Make sure to consult your dermatologist first. At the end of the day, treating atrophic scars early on can improve the outcome and lower the intensity of any scarring that occurs subsequently. In the final section, we will look at some effective atrophic treatment options that you can go for.
How Do Dermatologists Treat Atrophic Scars?
The choice of atrophic scar treatment will primarily depend on your scar type. So, speak to your doctor about the recommended treatment options available. Treatments include:
1. Chemical Peels
According to research, chemical peels can help reverse skin aging and treat acne scars (3). In this process, a chemical – typically, glycolic acid, pyruvic acid, salicylic acid, or mandelic acid – is applied to the affected area and then removed. The chemical induces peeling, and the upper layer of the skin is removed. It is particularly useful in treating isolated box scars (as opposed to ice pick and rolling scars), which demonstrate 50-90% improvement (3). You may experience irritation as a side effect after a chemical peel. Also, ice pick and rolling scars do not disappear completely. These scars require multiple chemical peel treatments combined with topical retinoids and alpha and beta hydroxy acids.
2. Dermabrasion
There are two types of dermabrasion procedures that can be used to treat atrophic scars: Microdermabrasion It is a less aggressive, more superficial type of dermabrasion. In this technique, the outer layer of the skin is removed to accelerate the natural process of exfoliation. If you have mild atrophic acne scars, this is the right treatment option for you. Here is how this process works: Dermabrasion This is a more invasive type of treatment that is used if your skin has deep pits and rolling scars due to scarring. This method involves the use of anesthesia as the plane of the procedure is deep, thus making it painful. Here is how this treatment works: Both the treatment types effectively treat scars and produce significant improvements in skin appearance (3).
3. Laser Therapy
If you have boxcar scars (superficial or deep) or rolling scars, laser treatment may be a good option (3). In laser therapy, a pulse emanates from a laser and helps in resurfacing and remodeling the skin surface. There are two types of laser therapy treatments that your doctor may recommend: Non-Ablative Lasers In this type of laser treatment, the skin tissue is not removed. However, it helps stimulate new collagen formation and causes tightening of the skin, resulting in the atrophic scar being raised to the surface. Some of the most common non-ablative lasers that are used include NdYAG and Diode lasers. Non-ablative laser treatment does not require a lot of post-operative care, making it a more popular treatment option for treating acne scars. It also results in fewer side effects, according to anecdotal evidence. It might, however, not be useful for extensive scarring, wherein an ablative laser would be needed. Ablative Lasers Ablative lasers remove the damaged scar tissue through melting, evaporation, or vaporization. Typically, a carbon dioxide laser or an Erbium YAG laser are used for the treatment of acne scars. These assist in tightening the collagen fibers beneath the affected area. Ablative lasers may result in some long-term problems, such as hyperpigmentation, scarring, if not done by licensed professionals.
4. Soft Tissue Fillers
This treatment type is useful for treating rolling atrophic acne scars. Here is a run-through of how the process works:
5. Skin Needling
Also known as micro-needling therapy, skin needling involves puncturing the skin to regenerate a healthier layer of collagen. Hence, it is aptly called collagen-induction therapy (3). Here is how this process works: Results start to show after about 6 weeks, but the full effect can take at least 3 months to occur. This can also be done by a bottle roller, a stamping device like a pen, and a combination of microneedling and radiofrequency. Do atrophic scars go away? Atrophic scars do not go away without any treatment. Is atrophic scarring permanent? Atrophic scars are often permanent. Home remedies and medical procedures may help reduce the appearance of these scars. If treated early, you can get rid of them permanently. Does retinol help atrophic scars? Yes, topical application of retinol may help improve scarring and inflammation. It can also help prevent acne scarring (4).
