What does scarring look like?
Scarring occurs when the skin heals after an injury, inflammation, or condition such as acne. The appearance of scars can vary from person to person and can take different forms:
- Hypertrophic Scars: Raised, thickened scars that are red or purple.
- Atrophic Scars: Depressed or sunken scars, often left by acne or chickenpox.
- Keloid Scars: Thick, raised, and often extending beyond the original wound.
Scarring can also affect the texture of the skin, making it feel bumpy or uneven. Over time, scars can become less noticeable, but they may not fully disappear, which is why proper care and treatment are important.
What causes scarring?
Scarring is a natural part of the skin’s healing process. However, certain factors can influence how scars form and how noticeable they become:
- Acne: Pimples, cysts, and other acne breakouts can cause damage to the skin, leading to scarring once they heal.
- Injury: Cuts, burns, and other physical trauma to the skin can result in scars as the body repairs the damage.
- Inflammation: Conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or other inflammatory skin conditions can also result in scarring after flare-ups or lesions heal.
What can you do right now to help?
While scarring is a natural healing process, there are things you can do to support your skin as it recovers:
- Avoid Picking or Scratching: Picking at pimples, scabs, or scars can worsen the damage and cause deeper scarring. It’s best to leave the skin to heal naturally.
- Hydrate: Moisturising your skin helps support the healing process and keeps the skin elastic, preventing further scarring.
- Sun Protection: Using sunscreen every day is key—UV rays can darken scars and make them more noticeable. Choose a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher.
- Gentle Skincare: Avoid using harsh scrubs or products that can irritate your skin. Opt for soothing and calming skincare products that support healing.
What can we do at Elite Skin Studio to assist further?
At Elite Skin Studio, we understand the impact scarring can have on your skin confidence, and we’re here to help you on your journey to smoother, more even skin. We offer a variety of treatments tailored to reduce the appearance of scars and improve overall skin health:
- SkinPen Microneedling: This treatment stimulates collagen production, helping to heal scars and improve skin texture. It’s particularly effective for acne scars, stretch marks, and atrophic scars.
- IPL (Intense Pulsed Light): IPL targets pigmentation and redness associated with scars, helping to even out skin tone and reduce the visibility of scars caused by sun damage or acne.
- Facials & Peels : Our signature chemical peels and facial treatments exfoliate the skin’s surface, removing dead skin cells and encouraging the regeneration of fresh skin, which can reduce the appearance of scars over time.
Your homecare focus from Elite Skin Studio
We believe in supporting your skin both in the clinic and at home. A consistent homecare routine is essential for helping scars heal and preventing new ones from forming. Here’s what we recommend to complement your treatments:
- Retinol (Vitamin A): Retinol speeds up skin cell turnover, helping to fade dark spots and improve skin texture. It also stimulates collagen production, which is key for reducing the appearance of scars.
- Vitamin C: A potent antioxidant that brightens pigmentation, reduces inflammation, and promotes skin healing. Vitamin C helps lighten dark scars and supports collagen synthesis for smoother, healthier skin.
- Hydrating Ingredients: Look for moisturisers with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to keep the skin hydrated and calm. Niacinamide is particularly useful for reducing redness and improving skin texture, which is essential for scar healing.
- SPF Protection: Sunscreen is the most important step in scar care. UV exposure can cause scars to darken, making them more visible. We recommend SPF 30 or higher every day, even if you’re indoors or it’s cloudy outside.
What are the limitations of scar treatment?
While treatments can significantly improve the appearance of scars, it’s important to remember that scars are a natural part of the healing process.
Complete scar removal is not always possible, but improvements in appearance, texture, and skin tone can make a huge difference. Some scars may require multiple treatments, and consistency is key. Additionally, factors like your skin’s natural healing ability, genetics, and lifestyle can all play a role in how your scars respond to treatment.
