Getting our skin under control feels like an exasperating journey especially when dealing with acne — a skin condition that is most common among teens, though people of all ages tend to be affected by it (due to hormonal imbalance or menopausal). It is triggered by an imbalance of sebum production that causes build-up within the pore lining. Hair follicles are clogged with oil and dead skin cells, causing these nasty thick, waxy accumulation that’s clogged up in the pores, allowing bacteria to grow.

Whether you’ve managed to rid acne, or you’re still constantly finding solutions to solve it, one inevitable sign of acne is acne scars. Despite not being a picker, there will still be a dark mark left for every spot.

Before you feel defeated, stay optimistic because not all scarring is eternal. With a thorough and targeted skincare/facial regimen, you are always a step closer to brighter and scar-less skin.

Acne Scar Formation

Acne scars are inflamed blemishes from acne breakouts. Shallow blemishes tend to heal quicker than those deeper ones caused by cystic, inflamed acne. When the clogged, inflamed pore erupts, a deep break occurs to the wall of a pore. The infected area with bacteria can spread to nearby tissue and commonly cause: atrophic, icepick, boxcar, or rolling scars. In some unfortunate times when your body accelerates the healing process too much, you will observe the forming of keloids or hypertrophic scars; due to excessive scar tissue formation.

The acne scars that are raised and flushed with the skin tend to resolve on their own with the avoidance of sun. However, for those scars that are not flushed with the skin, the majority find it difficult to heal such as these typically do not fade on their own. Remodeling or accelerating new collagen production is required to correct these structural skin deformities.

Preventing Acne Scars
1. Differentiate scarring & temporary discoloration
Temporary discoloration commonly occurs when a deep pimple pops and this fades within 6 to 12 months. However, scarring as aforementioned happens when the wall of a pore experiences a deep breakage.

Tip: treat skin immediately with moisturizer and keep the area clean after a pimple or breakout to prevent scars!

2. Don’t Pop Those Pimples!
It’s always a natural habit or that urge to pick and prod at that bundle of pus. People have the mentality that popping a pimple and draining it fully is equivalent to cleaning out all the gunk. However, did you know that the gunk will infect the skin’s surface and cause irritation, leading to more new pimples in the area and decelerating the healing process.

Pimple popping ultimately worsens inflammation and making the area more tender. This causes redness and marks on the skin. Your attempt to pop blind pimples can also cause scarring.

3. Remember Your Sunscreen
UV rays damage your skin and increase the appearance of acne scars. During the healing process for these inflamed areas, it may also leave discoloration and uneven skin tone. Use a sunscreen of at least SPF30 with broad-spectrum protection.

It is important to find the best solution that treats your acne effectively as every individual’s skin is different and we believe that not one treatment fits all. The experienced estheticians at The Body Firm are committed to customize an individualized treatment plan for you.

Depending on your skin type and condition, we may recommend:

Venus Viva and Venus Swan Treatments
This technology treats a number of skin conditions like acne scars, dark spots, redness wrinkles, melisma, rough skin texture, and enlarged pores. It is also an ideal treatment for tightening and lifting the skin and usually required to be done at 3 to 4 weeks interval.

Aims to heat up the deeper layers of skin through communicating small controlled targeted reparations through radio frequency waves. It accelerates the skin’s ability to repair naturally, produces more collagen, and fuels the production of new skin cells.

Unlike traditional laser technology that has the possibility to destroy skin surfaces, the controlled radiofrequency technology assures high safety standards, zero to minimal downtime, and without any side effects like skin burning, peeling, or crusting.

• Venus Swan Face Treatment at $550 (60 minutes): The DiamondPolar applicator delivers Multi-Polar Radio Frequency and Pulsed Electro Magnetic Fields to stimulate fibroblasts to increase collagen synthesis and create lipolysis through its thermal action. With no heat spikes, the constant and uniform heat delivers maximum efficacy in shorter treatment times, resulting in a dramatic improvement with no pain or downtime.

• Venus Viva Beauty Face Treatment at $600 (60 minutes): Combines NanoFractional Radio Frequency and SmartScan Technology to correct signs of skin damage and improves the appearance of rosacea, enlarged pores, deep wrinkles, uneven skin texture, and pigmentation, renew dull skin, and control oil secretion for smoother, brighter tone, and more youthful glow.

• Filogra@Light Peel Facial at $199 (75 minutes): A dermatological peeling with Filogra products made in France that enriches the skin to regenerate, revitalize and normalise skin pigmentation levels. This treatment is also advisable for people with acne-scarred issues and wishing to have ‘baby skin’.

Please be assured that the nature of your treatment will depend on your skin type and the severity of your condition. So reach out to our friendly team at hello@thebodyfirm.com.sg or call 6838 0331 to make an appointment now! They’ll assess your skin and recommend the best treatment for your needs.