PITTED SCARS











This is caused by acne that has been unprofessionally extracted, leaving behind lesions that can “caved” into the skin. Commonly known as pock marks. In some cases of dark skin, acne infliction can leave behind a raised bump known as keloids- this type of scar requires consistent but yet painful injection of steroids. The reason why it happens mainly to dark skinned person is still unknown.
What should you do when you have acne and do not want to develop scars? This is the most common question that I have been seen with my clients. The best remedy is not to expel the impurities from the acne on your own. In some cases, the impurities seeps downward rather than outward, leaving an infection that enlarged the acne and making it prone to bigger scars. Seek professional help if a lot of acne ends up easily with scars.
To treat acne scars, you need to do exfoliation. Scrub your face gently and daily over a period of one year can help to lessen the scars. It has a slow polishing effect and allows skin cells to regenerate. Though this process is home treatment, you may opt for more intense exfoliation known as diamond microdermabrasion.
Microdermabrasion uses a rim of fine diamond bits to exfoliate the dead skin cells and encourage new skin cells to grow, thus allowing a clearer, cleaner and smoother complexion over time. A course of six weekly sessions render remarkable results.


Click to see how scars are treated

Another older method is using chemical or botanical acid (Alpha Hydroxyl Acid) to exfoliate the dead skin cells and regeneration takes place. Microdermabrasion is better than acid treatment is because it does not leave the skin feeling red. Old medical treatment uses a wire brush that cuts the skin surface, leaving it bloodied and such practices have been deemed outdated and gruesome.

I had a bad experience when I was a teenager. I had chicken pox scar which splitted my left eyebrow. I am devastated but with a year of scrubbing with IONAX scrub, my scar clears off. Thus, I realize that exfoliation helps and to what intensity depends on individual skin type. How fast it heals takes the type of skin exfoliation, thickness of the skin and also the rate of skin regeneration in accordance with the youthfulness of the skin.

If you have acne scar problem, do consult our salon who have been treating men skin that are commonly prone to acne and acne scar

Compiled by Adam Chua, Face of Man Senior Consultant

Acne cure

Acne is a disorder of oil glands, or what is commonly called the hair follicle or pore. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it is the most common skin disorder in the world.

They are many types of acne:

Acne vulgaris - chronic inflammatory disease of the skin that appear in clusters.
Cystic acne - most severe form of acne vulgaris. Deep, inflamed breakouts develop on the face and/or other areas of the body. The blemishes themselves can become large (up to several cm)
Acne Rosecea - acne that are aggravated in size due to enlarged blood capillaries underneath the skin, usually caused by excessive alcohol intake.

HOW TO PREVENT ACNE
1- DAILY WASH
Wash your face three times daily with a gentle foaming cleanser to remove oil and dirt, but for acne-prone skin, look for cleansers with salicylic acid to exfoliate clogged pores. Cleanse with your hands and not a cloth or sponge which may irritate the acne and cause it to burst
.
2- EXFOLIATE AND MASK
Use a scrub with granules to remove dead skin cells and a clay based mask weekly to help unclog pores and absorb excess oil. Avoid cream, gel or paper based masks as it does not have any oil absorbing properties. Men’s skin tend to produce more dead cells and excess oil so this step is important.

3- SHAMPOO YOUR HAIR DAILY
Use a coal tar shampoo if you have an oily scalp. It reduces hair oil, which will aggravate your acne. As pimples are
pores that are blocked with excess oil, it helps to keep your hair and pillow covers clean. Use a headband to pull
back your hair at night if it touches your face and do not use greasy hair products such as gels, wax or mousse.

4- TAKE MULTIVITAMINS
Nutrify your skin with Vitamin A, C and E. Acne can sometimes be a signal that something is wrong and lacking in your body and this makes it react by producing excess oil to clog pores. Eat your carrots because it contains Betacarotene (Vitamin A) to strengthen skin’s tissue and can also prevent acne.

5- AVOID DIARY PRODUCTS
Milk exacerbates acne. Studies have shown that iodine prevents the skin from eliminating the toxin produced by the acne bacteria and causes the inflammation to stay persistently.

6- AVOID ALCOHOL
It dissolves the nutrients in the blood and it thins the capillary wall of blood vessels, dilating more blood to inflame the acne further. When you drink a glass of beer, you will pass out more water because alcohol depletes your skin
Moisture. Drink eight glasses to of water instead to detoxify your largest organ (the skin) through perspiration.

7- QUIT SMOKING
Researchers in Italy have discovered that smoking causes acne breakouts, and brings out non-inflamed pimples and blocked pores lying beneath the skin layer, causing them to be inflamed.

8- NO PICKING
Picking. Rubbing or scratching the pimples as it may result in permanent scars and will not help get rid of the pimples.
Men’s skin is three times thicker than women to hold more oil glands and collagen. That is the reason why men age slower but have to live with pimples or acne. A pimple is a clogged skin pore that is infected with bacteria. White blood cells rush to help fight the infection and the result is that ugly red bump you find on the morning of your first date or your important corporate presentation!

Compiled by Adam Chua

18 July 2011