Acne affects just about everyone at some point in their lives, sometimes at the most inconvenient times, like before dates, parties, or work presentations.
Acne scars are permanent textural changes and indentations that occur on the skin as a result of severe acne.
Acne often appears when hair follicles, or pores, on your skin get clogged by oil and dead skin cells, forming comedones. Then the bacteria can start to grow, causing inflammation and red bumps.
Acne scars range in appearance from shallow, mottled depressions, sometimes called rolling scars, to deep and narrow depressions. These depressions are typically skin-coloured but can be darker or pink as well.
Atrophic scars are flat, shallow depressions that heal below the top layer of skin. These scars are commonly caused by severe cystic acne. However, other types of acne can cause them as well.
It should be noted that the appearance of atrophic acne scars can vary depending on a person’s history with acne. There are three types of atrophic scars.
Boxcar scars are broad, usually box-like depressions with sharply defined edges. Boxcar scars are caused by widespread acne, chickenpox or varicella, a virus causing a red, itchy rash with blisters.
Usually found on: Areas where the skin is relatively thick, like the lower cheeks and jaw.
Ice pick scars are smaller, more narrow indentations that point down into the skin’s surface. These scars tend to be very tough to treat, requiring persistent and aggressive treatment.
Usually found on: Cheeks
Rolling scars have a varying depth, with sloping edges that make skin appear wavy and uneven.
Usually found on: Areas where the skin is relatively thick, like the lower cheeks and jaw.
Hypertrophic and keloid scars form as raised lumps of scar tissue where the acne once was. This happens when scar tissue builds up, sometimes from previous acne spots.
Difference between hypertrophic and keloid scars:
Hypertrophic scars are the same size as the acne that caused them, while keloid scars create a scar larger than the acne that caused them and grows beyond the sides of the original spot.
Usually found on jawline, chest, back and shoulders. People with darker skin colour are more likely to develop this type of scarring.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
When the acne heals, it often leaves behind a darker or discoloured patch of skin. Contrary to popular belief, this is not a scar and will heal on its own with a good sun protection regime.
Hyperpigmentation can occur when the skin is damaged by severe acne, or if the acne was picked at. Even so, in all cases, the skin will return to its natural colour over time with proper sun protection.
Usually occurs on: People who pick or squeeze their acne and those with darker skin.
Acne scars can be painful, particularly when it is severe. It can cause emotional distress and cause one to feel particularly self-conscious. At Cambridge, we offer a few solutions to smoothen out acne scars.
Cambridge Therapeutics’s Venus Viva Treatment utilised the NanoFractional Radiofrequency technology to deliver energy through the skin, generating heat and rebuilding collagen. It has been proven to be extremely effective for the removal of acne scars.
This medical-grade skin resurfacing device is FDA-cleared for dermatological procedures. There is no risk, no downtime and no surgery.
Best results are usually seen after 3-4 sessions, with 1-2 weeks interval each session at the start. After which, maintenance sessions can be done once a month. The number of treatments required for you will be based though on the severity of your condition and on which area needs treatment.
Read more about Venus Viva Acne Scar Removal
By utilising ultrasonic energy at a significantly higher frequency, it creates a strong micro massaging effect that can activate protein structures within the skin to tighten it. More importantly, it enhances collagen cross-linking which increase the elasticity of the skin for a firm, even skin tone.
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) appears to be involved in connective tissue metabolic disorders resulting in various skin conditions such as Acne, Eczemas, Dermatitis, Chronic ulcers, etc. LDM® aims to inhibit the action of these proteins which will reduce the damaging effects on the skin and tissues.
The further activation of heat shock proteins and GAGs helps to improve skin immunity, improve overall skin tone and texture.
This is a non-invasive treatment method and thus it does not induce any form of pain.
Skin appearance improves after the first session. Depending on the severity of the skin condition and the client’s age, LDM could be recommended twice per week for 4-6 weeks before entering a maintenance mode of once every 2-3 months.
Combining Pore Refining Technology with XF™ Pulse Light System from Japan, Jet Pulse Plus is a combination therapy that is configured to reduce enlarged pores, lighten pigmentation and solve pimple woes.
Following Cambridge’s “No Manual Extraction” policy, this treatment achieves brighter, more radiant skin using the latest Medical Technology. Jet Pulse Plus is exclusively formulated for Cambridge and focuses on Asian skin, adopting the big success of breakthrough Photo-Pneumatic therapy.
This treatment is gentle on the skin, causing little or no pain to the individual.
Results are visible immediately after treatment but clients are encouraged to come once or twice a month to maintain results.
Read more about Jet Pulse Plus+ Facial
NeoGen Nitro-Plasma is a cutting-edge skin regeneration treatment that uses plasma to deliver heat to a targeted treatment area without affecting the surrounding tissues.
Plasma, also known as the 4th state of matter, is generated using inert nitrogen gas and converted into activated ionised gas. At high energy levels, Nitrogen Plasma effectively achieves skin tightening, skin contouring, while at lower energy levels, it is used to treat early signs of ageing such as melasma, pigmentation, acne, fine lines and wrinkles. With its unique thermal energy, it can regenerate new skin, replacing old damaged collagen and elastin with controlled precision.
This treatment is gentle on the skin, it is completely painless.
Results are visible immediately after treatment but clients are encouraged to come once or twice a month to maintain results.