Posts Tagged ‘scar treatment’
Craters, Pits, And Cracks: They Are Still Acne Scars
The weight of going around with acne can affect an individual’s state of health and sanity. A lot of us have not been spared from a bad case of acne in our youth. We dealt with the pimples and were forced to endure the eventual scarring the reddish pustules left behind.
Bacteria are noted as the main cause of skin breakouts. Bacteria live on skin pores that are blocked with dirt and sebum.
Once we recover from the zits, we have to deal with the scars. Although there are acne scars that fade after a while, some do not. Living with these scars on our own faces can be a sad experience.
The four commonly recognized varieties of pocking left over from acne are as follows. Ice pick acne scars are those characterized by the pits formed on the surface of the skin. Another type is called rolling scar; a broad, shallow depth is what identifies this scar type. Boxcar-type acne scars are usually found on the temples or the cheeks; they have angular and well-defined edges, similar to scars caused by varicella. Keloidal and hypertrophic scarrings are raised tissues on the the skin’s surface.
Results of controlled research show that some people have low self-esteem and depression because of acne scars.
However, there is no need to lose hope just yet. There are now several technological developments for the treatment of acne scars. Some of these treatment methods use a form of laser therapy. Other treatments require some form of skin abrasion. Creams and injections are also marketed for the treatment of facial scars. Consult your doctor about the best acne scar removal and/or treatment technology that will be viable for you.
Learn more about hair transplant and tattoo removal and how it can improve your life.
Scar Therapy: Is Yours Safe?
Many scar therapy products contain some form of silicone along with vitamin E. Hydroquinone and kojic acid are sometimes added to help lighten dark scars. Preservatives and fragrances help keep these creams “bacteria free” and smelling a little more appealing. But are all these chemicals safe?
VITAMIN E – Vitamin E is a popular oral supplement. However, studies show it does not lower the risk of cancer as previously thought and, more importantly, it can actually increase the risk of heart failure. It is also a popular antioxidant in personal skin care and scar therapy products. But, here too, vitamin E use is questionable because it causes contact dermatitis in up to 33% of users. For this reason, American dermatologists and Canadian pediatricians recommend not using vitamin E as a scar therapy.
D4 & D5 SILICONES – Many cosmetic products, such as creams, lotions, lipsticks, shampoo, soaps, antiperspirants and topical scar treatments use D4 and D5 silicones. D4 and D5 are 2 of about 200 types of silicone that recent studies say could be harmful for humans and wildlife; they are now on the toxic chemicals list of the Canadian government. The European Union will also require registration of D4 and D5 silicones as potentially harmful.
According to the Canadian environmental group Environmental Defence, D4 silicones may cause infertility and liver disease while both D4 and D5 can increase the risk of cancer.
In contrast to D4 and D5 silicones, dimethicone silicone has been certified as safe.
HYDROQUINONE – an effective agent to lighten scars, it is not sold in some countries because of its potential long-term use dangers. Hydroquinone can lead to a condition called Ochronosis, even at its over-the-counter strength (2%). This causes permanent hyperpigmentation with sooty darkening of the skin. Ochronosis may also cause loss of skin elasticity and impaired wound healing. Other side effects include contact dermatitis (rash, redness, itching and flaking) and nail discoloration. Some researchers question whether hydroquinone and related compounds may cause cancer. As a result of these fears, hydroquinone is only available by prescription in Europe and it is highly regulated in Asia. The skin-lightening effects of hydroquinone decrease with prolonged use and with sun exposure.
KOJIC ACID – is also effective in fading pigmented skin lesions like dark scars and brown spots. However, repeated use can cause skin sensitization which in turn increases the risk of contact dermatitis. Just like hydroquinone, kojic acid only improves dark pigmentation and won’t improve other facets of scar healing.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and licorice are safer alternatives to hydroquinone and kojic acid. Vitamin C also improves healing by encouraging normal collagen production while licorice extract can prevent acne. Licorice also boosts the pigment-lightening effects of vitamin C. The two ingredients should therefore be used together whenever possible.
PRESERVATIVES & FRAGRANCES – Synthetic preservatives like parabens are commonly used in all kinds of personal and scar therapy products. Preservatives prevent the growth of bacteria in products with high water content. They discourage bacterial growth and reduce the risk of infection. However, they also have a serious downside: allergy to preservatives and fragrances are the main reasons for contact eczema caused by skin care products.
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