If having acne breakouts wasn’t bad enough, the scars it leaves behind can haunt you for life if they are not treated effectively. In Singapore, there are many types of acne treatments available in an aesthetic clinic, some of which are discussed below.

What Are the Different Types of Acne Scars Removal Treatments?

TCA Cross

TCA CROSS (Trichloroacetic Acid Chemical Reconstruction of Skin Scars) is a treatment procedure that involves applying trichloroacetic acid (TCA) at high concentrations on a scar that causes damage to the scar tissue. As a result of the injury, the body’s natural collagen production is activated and it starts filling the scar while also promoting the healing process. This treatment method is used to target deep scars like ice-pick stars and enlarged pores and cause them to raise the skin at that point and eventually get rid of the scar with continued treatment. Many patients start seeing improvement after a few months of treatment every month. The process is pain-free and shows promising results for deep rooted acne scars as well as reduce appearance of enlarged pores.

Dermal fillers

Another effective acne scar treatment in Singapore is the dermal filler. The dermal fillers work by filling in the cavities or depressions caused in the skin by the scars and result in an improved skin appearance. The procedure involves the aesthetic doctor injecting a small quantity of a gel or hyaluronic acid to the affected depression which helps plump up the skin and gives a smooth and even surface. The result of the injection may not be visible immediately; however, as the gel continues to dissolve in the skin over time, you will continue to see an improvement in scar reduction and an overall plumpier skin. The process is almost pain free as a very thin needle is used to inject the gel into the affected area.

Fractional CO2 laser

Fractional CO2 laser treatment involves the use of a carbon dioxide laser to lightly injure the skin’s deep layers in order to trigger the body’s natural healing response and collagen production. When this treatment method is applied to acne scar, wrinkles and fine lines, the microscopic injuries cause the collagen to fill up the crevices and once the healing process is completed, the appearance of the skin improves manifold. The result is a much more even skin tone, with a fairer and tighter skin, and is an excellent wrinkle treatment method.

Ablative laser treatment

This is the type of laser resurfacing treatment that targets the top layer of the skin and uses a high-power laser to cause controlled injury to the top layer. The damaged outer layers are therefore removed, and the inner smoother skin layer emerges. This process also triggers the body’s natural collagen production which starts to fill up the damaged areas resulting in newer, healthier skin. This is an effective acne scar treatment as the scars appearance gets reduced with each treatment and the overall skin condition improves.

Although the process itself may not be that painful, it results in slight redness and inflammation on the skin for the first few initial hours.

PICO non-ablative laser treatment

PICO laser is a non-ablative laser treatment technique that targets the deep layers of the skin without causing any damage or injury to the top skin layers. The process works by stimulating collagen production from the deep layers which will eventually cover up the acne scars and promote new skin growth. Since this technique targets the deep layers of the skin, it does not cause any apparent redness or inflammation of the skin post-procedure. It is a non-invasive and pain-free procedure.

Chemical peels

Chemical peels are another effective acne scar treatment option in Singapore that involves applying a certain peel to the skin. The chemicals used in these peels could be glycolic acid (AHA), salicylic acid (BHA), lactic acid, or trichloroacetic acid. Once the chemical is applied on the skin, it is left on for some time after which it is removed. When the chemical gets removed, it removes the top thin layers of the skin along the way. This stimulates the natural collagen production of the skin and treats skin laxity, resulting in a clearer, even, and tighter skin over time.

Subcision

Subcision is an acne scar treatment in Singapore that can be considered a slightly invasive surgical procedure during which the area is first numbed by applying a numbing cream. Then a thin needle or small blade is inserted underneath the acne scar to loosen the fibrous scar tissue. As the scar tissue loosen and the skin relaxes, the natural collagen produced by the body starts filling up the scar over time resulting in a smoother and even skin. This is a slightly uncomfortable procedure but the application of the numbing cream makes the process almost pain-free.

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion is the process that targets raised or rough acne scars and smooths them out by using a small rotating brush. The brush comprises a rotating head with rough edges that rotates at high speed. When it is applied to the skin, the top layer of the skin is shed off, stimulating collagen production and resulting in smoother skin. Since this process directly works on the top layer of the skin, it may become inflamed and red and will require some downtime to return to normal.

Micro-needling

Microneedling is another minimally invasive acne scar treatment that uses multiple tiny needles to prick the skin. As the skin is damaged in a controlled way, the body’s natural healing response takes over and starts producing collagen that results in lightening of the scars. This technique is used to treat depressed acne scars effectively. It is a slightly uncomfortable process and may require some downtime for the skin to return to normal from the redness and inflammation.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is the process of treating acne scars in which liquid nitrogen is used to freeze the affected area or scar. As the scar tissue freezes, it starts to break down and falls off. As a result, new skin growth is promoted and it starts to fill up the cavity over time resulting in smoother, scar-free skin.

Can All Types of Acne Scars Be Treated?

Yes! Almost all kinds of acne scars can be treated using any of the treatment methods discussed above. Since each person’s skin type, acne scars, and their severity is different, an aesthetic doctor can advise the best course of treatment for each individual. But more often than not, with consistent and rigorous treatment, almost all kinds of acne scars can be treated to result in a smoother and even skin tone.

What Is the Best Treatment for Acne Scars in Singapore?

The best treatment for acne scars in Singapore varies according to each person’s individual case. There is no one particular treatment that can be identified as the best treatment as some people’s condition may respond well to one type of treatment while some other type of treatment may be effective for others. As a general observation, the different kinds of laser treatments, chemical peels, microneedling, and TCA Cross are very good options for treating stubborn and repetitive acne scars.

Do Acne Scar Treatment Cause Pain or Discomfort?

While each person has his/her own pain threshold, generally acne scars treatment do not cause much pain. Some of the treatment methods like microneedling, dermabrasion, and dermal fillers may be uncomfortable for some individuals, they are well tolerated and their efficacy and promising results are a good motivation for the patients to bear the treatment. The treatment sessions usually last for a few minutes, so the uncomfortable experience just lasts for a few minutes. If, however, you still feel pain, you may ask for a numbing cream to be applied to make the experience comfortable and tolerable for you.

Can You Remove Acne Scars Permanently?

Acne scarring is a long-term process and its treatment also requires time and effort. Acne scars can never resolve on their own. Therefore, you need to intervene early and start treatment to ensure that they are resolved permanently. This is indeed possible, however, it requires persistence and targeted efforts regularly. An aesthetic doctor may advise a regimen of multiple acne scar treatments depending on your particular case. Making sure you intervene early and be persistent with the treatment can ensure the removal of all acne scars permanently. Moreover, it is crucial that you do not allow any more new episodes of acne to avoid any new scars to surface.

How Soon Can I Start Seeing Results from Acne Marks Treatment?

Each acne scar treatment is subjective and its success depends on various factors such as each individual case, the type of skin, severity of scars, environmental or hormonal issues, and other factors. For mild cases of acne scars, patients can start seeing clearing of the skin after 4-6 sessions of a particular regimen of treatment. However, for moderate to severe acne scars, the clearing of skin may take many months. But the bottomline is that if you are regular and persistent in your treatment plan, you will notice considerable improvement in your skin condition after every session of the treatment.

Clear Your Acne Scars With the Best Acne Scar Treatment in Singapore

If you’re struggling with acne scars, it is best to visit an aesthetic clinic in Singapore to receive affordable acne scar treatments. Our aesthetic doctor will tailor each treatment according to their patient’s needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.