Everyone loves the idea of having flawless, healthy skin and we do all that we can to ensure that we achieve this. Everyone is beautiful in their own way, but at times, we tend to get insecure about our flaws and feel less confident or less acceptable with our imperfections. Acne scars are some of the defects that are common in most people. If you would want to get rid of acne scars and live in or near Nairobi, Avané clinic brings you some good news. We offer skin rejuvenation services for the treatment of acne scars through laser technology. We bring the solution you need near you, at a friendly cost and with a guarantee for success.
Acne scars are caused by inflammation of acnes, where the acne swells and a breakdown occurs at the walls of the pores. The inflammation may be due to dead cells, bacteria or the build-up of oils in the pores. Some of the acne flaws created are minute and the scars created are small and shallow, thus healing quickly. However, at other times, the content of the acne blemishes spills into the neighbouring tissues, causing deeper scars. This triggers the skin’s response mechanism by forming new collagen fibres. The scars may either be a dent on the skin or raised spots on the surface. Indentation scars result from loss of tissue matter causing little hollows on the skin. The latter arises from an overproduction of collagen meant to heal the wound. Acne scars appear on the face, arms, back and neck.
Types of acne scars.
There are several types of acne scars, which include:
- Ice pick- This is an atrophic or depressed acne scar, characterised by the formation of hollows with wide tops, which narrows down as it deepens in the skin. It is one of the most common, and arguably one of the hardest to treat. It is common on the forehead and upper cheeks.
- Rolling- A form of atrophic acne scar which has small hollows with sloping edges that make the skin seem uneven and wavy. They are commonly found on the lower cheeks and jaws.
- Boxcar- It’s another form of atrophic acne scar with sharp edges that go down deeper into the skin. It is common on the lower cheeks and jaw sections.
- Hypertrophic or keloid scars- They are scar tissues that arise on the skin, caused by an overgrowth of collagen tissues on the skin area. They are common on the back, chest and shoulder. They are usually itchy, soft and painful.
Studies have shown that over 85% of people aged between 12 -24 years have had acne at some point, however only about a fifth of these develop acne scars. This means that having acne at any point in life doesn’t mean one will develop acne scars. The bright side of this, however, is that both of these are not permanent. They can easily be managed and treated, by the use of modern technology and medications. Some remedies involve eliminating the acne and scars, while others focus more on helping the skin to heal itself with its own collagen. The solutions may be medical, surgical, laser treatments or a combination of various procedures. At Avané clinic we offer all of these remedies as per the client’s desire and the doctor’s recommendation.
The adaption of Laser treatment for acne scars was important, as it provides more efficient treatment than medication while offering less pain and complexity than surgical procedures. Avané clinic is at the forefront in offering laser treatments, having been a pioneer for laser technology in dermatology in Kenya. We have a well-trained and highly experienced team of specialists led by Dr Pancholi, who is one of the best dermatologists in Kenya. We operate with respect to the set medical standards and under highly hygienic conditions.
There are various forms of laser treatment, each used to treat a different form of acne scars, such as:
- Fractional CO2 resurfacing laser– It is the most efficacious and best laser to use, despite it being the most aggressive. It treats only a fraction of the skin, leaving the healthy skin intact. It works by drilling small microscopic holes in the deeper layers of the skin. This triggers the production of adequate and healthy collagen to smoothen out the acne scars. The effects can be seen in as early as 1 week after the procedure, and continue to improve for about 6 months. It may have a downtime period of 3-6 days depending on the laser strength. The skin uses this time to heal from the wounds caused by the laser and stimulates collagen remodelling. It is an ablative method that is associated with side effects such as redness and possible scarring if done too aggressively.
- Fraxel Laser- it’s a non-ablative fractional laser treatment that aims at treating small fractions of the skin on each visit. It uses laser energy to penetrate deep into the skin layers and stimulates the body’s own healing mechanism through the production of healthy collagen to repair the damaged skin. Fraxel laser does not break the skin, hence it’s non-invasive and has less downtime than the fractional CO2 laser. It however requires one to go for about 4 subsequent treatments to achieve optimum results.
At Avané clinic, we use the Fractional CO2 resurfacing laser method for our treatment. Before treatment begins, the client has to consult with specialists, where the doctors enquire about the client’s medical history and other related information. A physical examination of the affected area is done to ascertain the type of acne scars that one may have and decipher the best solution for it. The doctors then explain the possible remedies for the condition and guide the clients in choosing the best treatment.
Laser treatment procedures are done on outpatient arrangements. The doctor passes a wand-like tool on the area to be treated, focussing the laser beam on it for some time during the procedure. It is painless but one may feel a little discomfort with some minor heating effects. Some clients describe the feeling as that of a rubber band hitting the skin. The laser settings are adjusted according to the intensity of the acne scars but are all within safe limits. Fractional laser resurfacing may however be more uncomfortable; hence the doctor may apply a numbing cream on the area an hour to the procedure.
After the procedure, one is given a self-care routine to follow to ensure better effectiveness of the treatment. Avoiding over-exposure to the sun, using sunscreen, using special moisturizer, proper cleaning for the treated part, and not wearing makeup for at least 1 week are some of the recommendations given. Adhering to these guidelines helps boost the healing process and within 7-10 days the results can be seen. Procedures that have subsequent treatment require one to honour these visits, so as to have optimum effectiveness.
Before and after
What are the risks involved?
There are several side effects associated with laser acne scars treatment, such as swellings, redness and bruising. Overindulgence of the laser may lead to worsening of acne, hyperpigmentation and possible infections in the area. It is important that the procedure be done under the care of well-trained and knowledgeable specialists such as dermatologists or plastic surgeons. This is because quacks may end up worsening the acne and acne scars or lead to infections and damage to the healthy parts. At Avané clinic, our team under Dr Pancholi is highly experienced and we’ll offer you quality treatment. We are also keen to ensure that you get minimum side effects and we’re always available where help is needed.
The benefits of laser acne scar treatment are that it lightens the appearance of acne scars, making them less conspicuous, and may even eliminate them fully. It also improves skin health and triggers collagen formation, enhancing firmer skin. It improves spore size and regenerates one’s even skin complexion. Moreover, the results are permanent and offer long-term solutions for acne scars. The procedure is available for all people of all ages, with the exemption of pregnant and lactating women. People suffering from acne at that time can not be put under laser treatment.
At Avané clinic, we are committed to helping you regain your confidence, by taking the hindrance to your happiness away from you. We are situated at the Yaya centre, in Nairobi Kenya. Visit us today or contact us to book your appointment for consultations with our experts. We guarantee quality treatment, friendly services and a partnership of a lifetime.
