Having acne can take a huge toll on your confidence. Developing scars after acne has healed does not make it any easier. Ice pick scars are a type of scarring that occurs as a result of how your acne healed. They appear as sharp, small indentations which are wider at the skin’s surface and narrow as they reach down into the skin. They usually have a ‘V’ shape and look like someone used an ice pick to poke and enlarge your pores, hence their name.
Ice pick scars are common in areas of the face where the skin is thinner such as the upper cheeks and forehead. I am big on natural remedies but this time around my DIYs couldn’t bail me out. Ice-pick scars are one of the harder types of scars to treat but the dream isn’t unattainable. There are professional treatment options available and with a few sessions with your dermatologist, you can regain your confidence. Keep reading to find out the causes and skin treatments for ice pick scars.
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What Causes Ice Pick Scars?
Around 95% of people with acne experience scarring. Ice-pick scars are most likely to occur in people who have developed severe or inflammatory acne. Acne can penetrate the skin deeply causing damage to the underlying tissues. Our bodies naturally heal this damage by producing elastin and collagen. If our bodies produce too much collagen, raised scars form. When we do not produce enough collagen, ice pick scars develop. The main factors that contribute to ice pick scars are:
- Not receiving or delaying treatment for inflammatory acne
- Having inflammatory acne lesions such as cysts
- Scratching, picking and popping acne lesions and pimples
Now that we know the causes let’s dive right into the treatment.
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The Best Skin Treatments for Ice Pick Scars
1. Punch Excision
A circular tool is used to cut the scar out of the skin (yikes) by removing the top few layers of skin. The punch tool used is usually similar in size to the scar. The dermatologist uses a local anesthetic to numb the person’s skin. After the scar has been removed, the resulting wound is closed using stitches leaving a thin flat scar usually less noticeable than the original.
2. Punch Grafting
Punch Grafting is usually recommended for deeper ice pick scars. It involves removing the skin from the scar and replacing it with a skin graft from another part of your body such as behind your ear.
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3. Microdermabrasion
This process involves the use of a special abrasive tool to remove the top layer of the scar. The Dermatologist moves the device over your skin which then removes the epidermis. Once the skin layer is removed, the scar appears shallow. The results of a microdermabrasion treatment are however temporary and you may be required to go for a few more sessions to achieve the desired results.
4. Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing is commonly seen as an anti-aging procedure as it fills wrinkles and fine lines but might help with ice pick scars. Your dermatologist uses high-frequency laser lights to target the ice pick scars. Nonablative lasers are used to promote collagen production while ablative laser treatments work to remove skin layers but come with the risk of further scarring. Laser resurfacing may come with a few risks such as redness which may last for weeks, blisters, swelling, itching, sensitivity to the sun(keep your sunscreen handy), and changes in your skin color. The major pro though is that it has long-lasting results seen almost immediately after the procedure which last for several years saving you the weekly visits to your dermatologist.
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5. Microneedling
With Microneedling, multiple fine needles are used to puncture the top layer of your skin. This creates multiple microscopic holes in your skin which encourages the epidermis and mid-dermis to peel triggering the production of collagen and elastin. The procedure is relatively affordable compared to other procedures and has fewer side effects though slight bruising may occur. Results are seen within 6 to 8 weeks after the treatment.
6. Chemical Peels
Chemical peels help reduce the appearance of ice pick scars by removing the topmost layer of the skin using high concentrations of salicylic or glycolic acid. Chemical peels involving alpha-hydroxy aka “lunchtime peels” are quicker but have superficial effects. Deep peels have the most effects but make your skin irritated and red. Standard peels such as the Cosmelan Depigmentation Peel procedure induce a deep peeling which then generates collagen reducing the appearance of the scars. It is a minimally invasive technique that is fairly safe and cost-effective, although it has what I’d call a ‘brutal downtime’. All chemical peels, however, increase sun sensitivity and increase your risk for sunburn. You are therefore advised to avoid the sun for 3 to 6 months after a deep peel. I would get one during winter so that summer doesn’t find me indoors looking outside through my window. Do not get a chemical peel if you have sensitive skin, recently taken acne meds or have deep scarring.
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In summary, preventing scarring might not be possible, but the best thing you could do is reduce the risk by treating acne outbreaks and taking the proper steps to prevent future outbreaks. Continuing your treatment even after the acne clears, gently cleaning your skin, avoiding harsh cleansers and soaps, and using oil-free and noncomedogenic cosmetics and skincare products are a few steps you can adopt in your daily routine to avoid future outbreaks.
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Have you tried any of these skin treatments for ice pick scars? What was your experience like? Let us know in the comments below.
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