Acne scars are a common concern for many individuals who have experienced moderate to severe acne. The marks left behind by acne can affect the skin's appearance and texture, affecting one’s self-confidence. Acne scars can be a lasting reminder of past breakouts and are often challenging to treat without professional care.
At Shens Medical Aesthetics, we offer a variety of acne scar treatments tailored to individual skin needs and conditions. Our approach is based on a deep understanding of how acne scars form and methods to reduce their appearance.
Acne scars develop when acne lesions, such as pimples, blackheads, or cysts, become inflamed and damage the skin’s underlying layers. The severity of acne scarring is influenced by several causes:
Inflammation: The more inflamed a pimple or cyst becomes, the more likely it is to cause significant damage to the skin. Deep, inflamed lesions like cysts or nodules can destroy the surrounding tissue, leading to scarring once the skin begins to heal.
Skin’s Healing Process: If too little collagen is produced, atrophic scars (depressions in the skin) can form. If too much collagen is produced, hypertrophic or raised scars can develop.
Picking or Squeezing Acne: Picking, squeezing, or popping pimples, increases the risk of scarring. This action forces bacteria deeper into the skin, prolongs inflammation, and disrupts the skin’s natural healing process.
Genetics: Some people are more prone to developing acne scars due to genetic factors. If you have a family history of scarring, you may be more likely to experience scarring from acne.
Atrophic acne scars are characterised by depressions or indentations on the skin's surface. They occur when there is a loss of tissue during the healing process, resulting in uneven skin texture. Within the atrophic scars category, there are three primary subtypes:
Rolling Scars
Rolling acne scars have a wave-like appearance and occur due to fibrous bands pulling the epidermis down. These bands of fibrous tissue create a tethering effect, causing the skin to have a rolling or undulating appearance.
Ice Pick Scars
Ice pick scars are narrow, deep scars that resemble small puncture marks on the skin's surface. They develop when there is damage to the skin's deeper layers. These acne scars can be particularly challenging to treat due to their depth.
Boxcar Scars
Boxcar acne scars are wider and have well-defined edges. They usually result from inflammatory acne and appear as round or oval depressions on the skin. Boxcar scars often have a sharp and angular appearance, resembling a boxcar or a rectangular shape.
Unlike atrophic scars, hypertrophic acne scars are raised and thickened. These scars occur when the body produces excess collagen during the healing process. They are typically more common in individuals with a genetic predisposition to scar formation. Hypertrophic scars can be itchy and uncomfortable, and they may continue to grow for some time before eventually stabilising.
We offer several treatments for acne scars, each suitable for targeting different types of scars to promote skin regeneration and collagen production. Our acne scar treatments are performed by experienced professionals and tailored to your skin’s unique needs and scar condition.
Fotona Nd:YAG laser acne scar treatment uses Nd:YAG long pulse laser to penetrate deep into the skin and stimulate collagen production. This non-ablative laser penetrates the dermis without damaging the skin’s surface, making it effective for deeper scar types like rolling or atrophic scars.
• Non-invasive laser treatment that penetrates deep into the skin.
• Suitable for both atrophic and hypertrophic acne scars, as well as pigmentation.
• Stimulates collagen production for skin rejuvenation over time.
• Safe for various skin types with minimal downtime.
• Suitable for treating acne scars on face, neck, chest and back.
Fractional CO2 laser acne scar treatment uses high-energy light to create tiny, controlled micro-injuries in the skin. This process triggers the body's natural healing response, promoting skin resurfacing and stimulating collagen production. The laser vaporises damaged skin cells, enabling the growth of new, healthier skin. Additionally, the fractional CO2 laser targets acne-causing bacteria, reducing inflammation and helping to prevent future breakouts.
• Ablative laser that resurfaces the skin and stimulates collagen.
• Best suited for severe atrophic scars like ice pick and boxcar scars.
• Multiple sessions may be required for significant improvement.
• Longer recovery time compared to non-ablative treatments but more dramatic results.
Secret Duo RF treatment combines microneedling radio-frequency (RF) and 1540nm fractional erbium glass laser to promote collagen growth by creating controlled micro-injuries in the inner epidermis layer. This triggers new skin cell growth, improving the appearance of acne scars.
• Targets deeper layers of the skin with RF energy and microneedling.
• Recommended for deeper, atrophic scars like rolling and boxcar scars.
• Reduces appearance of pigmentation
• Helps tighten skin and improve skin texture over time.
Rejuran S is an injectable polynucleotide (PN) treatment designed to repair and regenerate damaged skin. The polynucleotides in Rejuran S are derived from salmon DNA to promote acne scar healing by encouraging collagen production and tissue regeneration.
• Injectable treatment using polynucleotides to stimulate collagen production & tissue regeneration
• Recommended for atrophic acne scars by filling in depressed areas.
• Enhances skin elasticity, texture and appearance over time.
• Requires multiple sessions for optimal results with minimal downtime.
Every individual’s skin and acne scars are unique, which is why we offer a variety of treatment options to address different types of scars.
Selecting the right acne scar treatment depends on several key factors, and our experienced team will carefully assess your skin to recommend the most suitable treatment option for you.
Factors that we'll assess and recommend treatment based on:
Type of Acne Scars: Different acne scar types respond better to specific treatments (e.g. Secret Duo RF for rolling scars or CO2 Laser for ice pick scars)
Skin Type: We consider your skin type and whether it is prone to sensitity and pigmentation risks when recommending treatments.
Scar Severity: Deeper or more severe scars may require more intensive treatments, like laser resurfacing.
Recovery Time: Certain treatments may require longer recovery periods. We tailor our acne scar treatment recommendation based on how much downtime you can manage.
A combination of procedures may be recommended, resulting in a customisable treatment regime tailored based on your skin’s needs. Our team understands the distress that acne scars can cause and are committed to helping you achieve your skincare goals; book a consultation for more information on acne scar treatments in Singapore.
Dr Shens is an accredited Consultant Plastic Surgeon in Singapore with over 20 years of experience in the field of Surgery, including laser acne scar removal.
He previously trained in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Singapore’s National University Hospital and in Reconstructive and Aesthetic at Seoul’s Hanyang University Hospital, acquiring specialised Korean surgical techniques in the field of medical aesthetics.
Upon returning to Singapore, Dr Shens was recognised by the Registry of Specialists for Plastic Surgery, Singapore, and remains a visiting consultant to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Gleneagles Hospital, and Mount Elizabeth Hospital.
Qualifications:
MA, MB BCh BAO (NUI), MRCS (Edinburgh), FAMS
Board Certified Consultant Plastic Surgeon
American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine Consultant Plastic Surgeon
Fellowship (Hanyang University Korea)
MBBS (Singapore)
MRCS (Edinburgh)
M.MED (Surgery)
FAMS (Plastic Sugery)
Early intervention can prevent further damage to the skin and minimise the risk of additional scarring. Treating acne scars promptly can help break the cycle of inflammation and reduce the chances of developing new scars.
Treating acne scars early can yield better and faster results. Fresh scars tend to respond more effectively to various treatment modalities, making it easier to achieve significant improvements in their appearance.
Acting early can help minimise the duration and cost of pimple scar treatment. More severe scarring may require more intensive and extensive treatment approaches, which can be time-consuming and expensive. By addressing the acne scars early, you may be able to achieve desired results with less invasive and shorter treatment courses, reducing both time and cost commitments.
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