Most breakouts will just leave a small dark mark which fades on its own after a few months. However, more severe acne will leave deeper, indented ice pick scars. They can’t be treated with skin creams or other DIY acne treatments, and so-called acne tools can make it worse. Use our Ice Pick Scars Singapore guide to really understand how to get rid of those pock marks for good!

What kind of acne leads to ice pick scars?

There are different kinds and degrees of acne. Blackheads and whiteheads are simply clogged pores. However, sometimes bacteria causes an infection in the deeper skin layers. This leads to inflammatory acne—red, swollen and painful to touch. These are classified as:

  • Papules.  Hard pimples. Usually the skin around it turns pink.
  • Pustules. Red, swollen pimples with a yellow or white head on top.  This usually indicates that the infection has damaged the walls around your pores, and the development of pus.  
  • Nodules. The infection has reached into the deeper skin layers, and don’t respond to acne creams or drying ointments. You will need prescription acne medication. In many cases, the dermatologist prescribes oral isotretinoin, in combination with clinical treatments.
  • Cysts. The worst kind of acne. The infection destroys skin collagen, which leads to deep, indented, pitted scars.
home remedies for acne scars

What is the difference between acne marks and acne scars?

Acne marks are small brown spots on the skin, caused by an increase in melanocytes after an inflammation. These lie on the skin surface, and will fade just by using spot treatments and regular exfoliation.

Acne scars occur when the collagen and elastin are damaged. “All the enzymes that are in the area of the acne lesion eat away at things like collagen and elastin,” explains dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe. “In the case that the inflammation is so great, the collagen and elastic tissue is not able to regenerate completely, or it does in a sort of disorganized or pathologic and not healthy fashion, and you’re left with a scar.”

You can get raised (or hypertrophic) scars that look like raised bumps on the skin. Or, you can get indented scars like:

The types of pitted scars are:

  • Ice Pick Scars. Deep scars with jagged edges, that can resemble “scooped out” pores.
  • Boxcar Scars. Broad, rectangular depressions with steep, defined edges.
  • Rolling Scars. Broad, rounded depressions with sloping edges.

Both boxcar and rolling scars are atrophic, meaning they are thin and flat. Unfortunately, ice pick scars are deep and narrow, which makes them more difficult to treat.The only way to get how to get rid of ice pick scars is through clinical treatments—but the good news is that you have a lot of options!

Ice Pick Scars Singapore Treatments

Punch Grafting

This is one of the best treatments for severe ice pick scars, according to clinical studies. Your doctor will use a small tool – very similar to a miniature cookie cutter –  to remove the scar. Then, he fills the whole with another plug of skin (usually from behind your ear). The skin graft is held by surgical glue, sterilized strips, or sutures.

This is an out-patient procedure, and only needs a numbing cream or local anesthesia. While you may feel a few pinpricks, you won’t feel any pain after the treatment. Your skin will heal in about a week, and your doctor will tell you how to take care of the area to minimize infection.

Punch grafting is effective, but if you have severe or multiple ice pack scars you may need to have multiple grafts.

If the skin still looks a bit uneven after punch grafting, your doctor may recommend microdermabrasion or chemical peels.

The cost of punch grafting treatments range from $500 to $2,000 a session, depending on how severe your scars are.

Punch excision

Like punch grafting, the doctor will cut out the ice pick scar. But instead of plugging the whole with skin, he will stitch it closed. After seven days, you will return to have the stitches removed.

You will experience very minimal bleeding, and though the stitches won’t interfere with the rest of your activities, most people feel shy about going out until these are removed. However, this can help treat deep ice pick scars, and involves less sessions than lasers or other treatments.

The price of punch excisions are similar to punch grafting. However, treatments to fade the scar are costed separately.  

ice pick scars singapore

Laser resurfacing

Laser treatments are one of the most popular treatments for ice pick scars in Singapore. The lasers break up the scar tissue and stimulate collagen production. Over time, your skin cells grow and your skin looks smoother and more even. You’ll also enjoy extra benefits like softer, glowing skin!

How much do ice pick scars Singapore laser treatments cost? It depends on the clinic, the type of laser, the number of treatments you may need. Fractional C02 lasers can cost $400 to $1,000 per session. Fractional erbium lasers (like Fraxel) can cost $400 to $800 a session. Pico lasers treatments range from $600 to $1,200 a session.

Again, it’s difficult to give a total price because all cases are unique. But if you have severe or extensive scars, you may spend upwards $4,000 on laser treatments.

After your laser treatment, you may experience a few days of redness and swelling. You will also need to avoid the sun, and avoid very harsh skincare. Your doctor will give you antibiotics and creams to prevent infection and hasten skin recovery.  

Microneedling

Like lasers, microneedling try to stimulate collagen production. However, it does this by puncturing the skin with several fine needles. These prompt the skin to peel off the damaged epidermis mid-dermis, and produce more collagen and elastin.

Depending on your case, you will need several microneedling sessions to see results. However, it is cheaper than laser treatments, and it has less risks of infection. Your skin will feel sore and look red for one or two days, but it will not look as rough or flaky as chemical peels.

Chemical peels

Chemical peels are one of the most affordable ice pick scars Singapore treatments. It works best for mild to moderate pitted scars, or people who have a combination of ice pick and atrophic scars.

Unfortunately, chemical peels will leave your skin red, irritated and very sensitive to the sun. Even after the redness fades, you will be more prone to sunburn. The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery recommends that you avoid the sun for three to six months entirely after having a deep peel.

Never use home chemical peels to treat your scars! While you may think it’s an easy or convenient way how to get rid of ice pick scars, you could end up drying out and irritating your skin. This can trigger more breakouts, or cause other skin problems. If you have ice pick scars, you have to be extra careful with both your skin and the kind of treatments you get. It’s best to consult a dermatologist or cosmetic doctor so you get the right solution for your skin.

Find Ice Pick Scars Singapore doctors now!

Check out Beauty Insider’s directory to get a list of the skincare clinics nearest you. You can conveniently compare treatments and prices, and discover the best ice pick scars treatment for your needs and budget.