Acne scars are a common skin issue faced by many, especially young individuals after puberty. Today, we will discuss boxcar acne scars, a prevalent yet challenging form of acne scarring.
Boxcar acne scars are characterized by a flatter central portion and usually have two prominent small corners, forming a unique depressed shape. Depending on the severity of the acne scars, they can be categorized into mild, moderate, and severe types. Treatment options will vary according to the different levels of severity.
For mild boxcar acne scars, due to the shallow nature of the depressions, many people choose not to pursue treatment. Even so, for those wishing to improve their appearance, using various laser technologies such as fractional lasers, microneedling, and picosecond lasers can help make the scars smoother. Additionally, long-term use of retinoid products can also have a beneficial effect.
When it comes to moderate boxcar acne scars, these scars typically have well-defined edges that are noticeably depressed, thus requiring appropriate stimulating treatments. In such cases, different laser energies can be applied, with varying laser parameters selected for each area to balance the central and edge regions. Furthermore, trichloroacetic acid (TCA) can be applied to the central portion, and this comprehensive treatment plan can effectively improve moderate boxcar scars.
However, severe boxcar acne scars present a much more complex situation. These scars often feature significant hollows, leading patients to feel despair. Doctors point out that this is due to atrophy of the central tissue and loss of the dermis, resulting in limited effectiveness from laser treatments alone. At this stage, a more effective and safer method is to pursue surgical excision or injection of collagen stimulators. By injecting collagen stimulators into the central hollows and subsequently performing resurfacing or other laser treatments on the surface, better results can be achieved.
It is worth noting that many patients with acne scars often have different types of scars, such as boxcar, ice-pick, and rolling scars. Therefore, a comprehensive treatment plan addressing different types is the optimal choice. This means that patients may need to undergo multiple treatment sessions for acne scar management, and a flexible and diverse treatment plan is essential for achieving real improvement.
In summary, understanding the characteristics of boxcar acne scars and their corresponding treatment options is very important for anyone pursuing beauty. If you are troubled by acne scars, it is recommended to consult a doctor as early as possible to develop an appropriate treatment plan.