Chamjin Korean Medicine Clinic
ACNE & CHARMJIN
[Health Week] The Golden Time for Treatment According to the '4 Stages of Acne Scar Formation'
The stages of acne scarring can be broadly divided into four stages, based on the passage of time.

Stage 1 is the inflammatory stage. Since scars have not yet formed, immediate inflammation management and removal of irritants can prevent scarring. During this stage, avoid squeezing or scratching acne, excessive exfoliation, and the use of irritating cosmetics.

Stage 2 is the early scarring stage. This stage typically lasts from one week to one month after the onset of inflammation, and scar formation is just beginning. During this stage, treatment to promote regeneration, stimulate collagen production, and anti-inflammatory treatments can help prevent scarring. Scars at this stage are typically red, firm to the touch, and have an irregular surface.

Stage 3 is the mature scar stage. Between one and three months after the onset of inflammation, the redness fades to a brownish hue. The scar height is lower than before, and the initial swelling has diminished. Many patients at this stage are concerned about pigmentation and seek laser treatment, regenerative medicine, or scar improvement procedures.

Stage 4 occurs after more than three months of inflammation, marking the transition to a more chronic scar. This stage increases the difficulty of treatment, as the scar tissue has hardened. Acne scars are a sign of tissue degeneration and do not naturally heal over time. Before this point, the scar tissue is still soft and collagen regeneration is relatively active, so treatment responses are rapid. However, once the scar tissue hardens and becomes fibrotic, a complex treatment approach is necessary.

This involves breaking the fibrous bands that adhere to the tissue, releasing tension, smoothing the irregularly thickened scar margins, replenishing deficient collagen fibers in the dermis, and then applying whitening and regenerative treatments to even out skin tone. This treatment works, but it's quite labor-intensive.

Therefore, it's crucial not to miss the golden window for treatment, believing that once a scar begins to settle, it will improve on its own. I want to emphasize that establishing a treatment plan within three months of the onset of inflammation is the wisest approach to reducing treatment costs, duration, and effort.

Source: Health Week - https://www.healthweek.co.kr
Original article:https://www.healthweek.co.kr/news/view.php?bIdx=7863
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