Acne and acne scarring

1. What are the 2 main types of acne scarring?

   
   1. Scars caused by increased tissue formation

   These include hypertrophic and keloid scars. They are raised and sometimes red and itchy. Genetic factors are important as well as ethnicity. Although both hypertrophic and keloid scars do occur in white skins, they are much more common in darker skin types. They result from over-production of collagen by skin cells as a result of injury or inflammation and persist for many years or in some cases indefinitely.

   2. Scars cause by loss of tissue

   These are more common than keloids and hypertrophic scars and take different forms.

   Ice Pick Scars usually occur on the cheeks. They are generally small with steep sides and a jagged edge – like wounds from an ice pick. They may be shallow or deep and may be hard or soft to the touch.

   Depressed fibrotic scars can be quite large with sharp edges and steep sides. They are sometimes referred to as a boxcap type scars. The base of these scars is firm to the touch. Ice-pick scars may evolve into depressed fibrotic scars over time.

2. What is Subscision?

   Deeper scars are often attached by their bases to the structures and tissue layers underneath the skin which pulls them down like deep-buttoned upholstery. Subscision is a technique whereby a special cutting needle is introduced through the skin under local anesthetic and used to cut the adhesions and free the scarred area of skin from its deep attachments thus allowing it to rise and flatten.

3. What is Punch Excision?

   Individual, deep ice pick scars can be removed by punch excision. This uses a circular blade like an apple corer to cut out the scar and the edges of the skin are stitched together. A local anesthetic is applied to minimize discomfort.

4. what can be done to treat acne?

   For those unfortunate enough to develop long term scarring and in whom the active acne has burnt out or is properly controlled, we now have a number of treatments which are effective in improving the appearance of the skin. Careful assessment by our skilled cosmetic doctors & dermatologists will enable a bespoke treatment plan to be devised; often a combination of treatments is the best solution. Court House clinic currently offers Derma Roller, Omnilux™ Blue Light Therapy, Skin peels and Pixel Laser Resurfacing.

5. What kind of results can I expect?

   Depending on the severity of your acne scarring results will vary.

Testimonials

All the staff and Doctors I have met are extremely friendly and helpful and the clinic is a very welcoming place. _{Lisa Chilver, Age 40 - Essex}

I have been so pleased with the result that I still continue to have Botox 3 times a year at Court House Clinics as I love the results that it gives and it keeps me feeling and looking young! I would recommend Botox to anyone! _{Vanessa Haye, Age 45 - East London}

The staff are friendly and approachable and I am always made to feel welcome! There are no pushy sales tactics employed, I get the treatment I have asked for. _{Morag Mathie, Age 43 - Wirral}