Ice pick scars are skin blemishes left behind from an acne spot or pimple. They are one of the more severe types of acne scars and can linger for a long time, often refusing to fade with simple home treatment. Fortunately, professional ice pick scar treatment can produce results.
Ice pick scarring is a type of acne scarring that form deep, narrow, pitted shapes within the skin—as though a tiny ice pick has punctured it. They are wider at the top and narrow the deeper they go into the skin. These acne scars are also notoriously difficult to get rid of. They form due to inflammation from the original acne lesion, which damages the tissue and collagen.
The causes behind a typical ice pick scar are like those behind other acne scars. Each acne spot forms due to a skin pore clogged with dirt or oil. This allows bacteria to enter, infecting the skin and causing inflammation. The inflammation then damages and destroys parts of the skin, and during the healing process, there is not always enough protein (collagen) to fully repair it, so scars form.
A range of risk factors can increase the probability of having ice pick scarring, including:
Many people attempt home remedies for ice pick scars, like topical creams and skincare products, but they often struggle to see results. This is mainly due to the depth of ice pick scars. Those closest to the surface are relatively easy to treat at home, but deep, extensive scars like this will not usually respond well to over-the-counter treatments.
Instead, the best treatment for ice pick scars usually involves seeing a specialist for most appropriate treatment – examples include laser treatments and dermal fillers. The best option for you will depend on your skin type, the results you want to see, and the general depth and extent of the scars you have. Your specialist will assess you to determine the most appropriate treatment plan.
Here are some examples of ways to get rid of ice pick scars:
Also sometimes called collagen induction therapy, microneedling involves using tiny needles to puncture the top layer of skin. The idea is that the needles create very light injuries, triggering the skin’s repair processes.
As part of those repair processes, the skin produces more helpful proteins, like collagen and elastin, which are crucial for forming new cells and replacing old ones. This can lead to scars gradually fading as old, scarred skin sections are repaired or replaced with new, more vital cells.
Post-microneedling, the skin also often feels smoother and firmer to the touch, so it can be beneficial for overall skin health, texture, appearance, in addition to some improvement of the ice pick scar.
This involves injecting filler beneath the top layers to plump the skin and push the scarred sections outward. So, instead of a sunken scar that looks like a little hole in the skin, the scarred section is less visible and blends more naturally with the surrounding area.
However, while dermal fillers can be effective on certain types of acne scars, they are not necessarily the best treatment for ice pick scars. They can make them look less pronounced, especially deeper scars, so this process may work best with other approaches, namely subcision.
This method uses a high-intensity beam of light to target scarred areas of skin and vaporise the outermost surface layer. This works on a similar principle to microneedling – it creates a light skin injury, triggering the skin to start making collagen and other proteins to repair itself.
Laser for scars also helps provide additional stimulation in the deeper layers of the skin, encouraging even higher levels of collagen production. With more collagen in the area, the skin can produce new cells and repair damage (like ice pick scarring) more easily and quickly.
Once the new skin forms, the scar should appear much less prominent, and with repeat treatments, it can disappear entirely. This method works on other skin issues, like warts and fine lines, and generally helps make the skin look and feel more youthful.
If you are familiar with the idea of skin exfoliation—using a coarse brush or grainy skincare product to rub away dirt and dead cells from the top layer of skin—then you will have no trouble understanding dermabrasion, which is the same thing but on a more professional scale.
It involves the use of a unique abrasive device. Powered by a motor, this device spins at high speeds and is passed over the skin to remove the top layer. Again, as with many other forms of ice pick scar treatment, this essentially triggers the skin’s healing processes.
Collagen is made quickly and in large amounts to make new cells and repair the damage done. Scarred cells are then rubbed away to be replaced with new ones that blend with the rest of the skin.
Subcision, or subcutaneous incision, is a type of minimally invasive surgery and a common solution among dermatologists treating acne scars. It involves making a small incision in the skin to insert a special type of needle, which breaks up the fibres surrounding the scar tissue.
The result is that the skin lifts and smooths out, and the appearance of the scar tissue should fade as targeted skin restoration starts in the area. The patient also has local anaesthesia to avoid any pain from the needle.
However, while this can be useful for various scars, there are better choices to heal ice pick scars because of their depth.
This method is one of the most direct approaches. It involves cutting the scarred part of the skin out and then sealing up the skin from the sides. It is quick and can provide immediate results by removing the scarred tissue in one go.
However, punch excision can also leave a small scar—similar in diameter to the ice pick scar but flatter and less noticeable in most cases.
Lasers naturally stimulate more collagen in the skin, letting your body’s healing processes do most of the work for the most harmonious and safe skin rejuvenation. In addition, they help smooth the skin texture, leaving it looking much healthier.
Lumenis UltraPulse® CO2 Laser
Widely seen as the gold standard in modern-day laser skin treatment, the Lumenis UltraPulse® CO2 Laser treats acne scarring, signs of ageing, burns, and more. It works by introducing a light and controlled injury pattern to the top layers of skin while heating the lower layers to stimulate the skin to produce extra collagen.
With repeat treatments, patients can witness vast, visible changes to their skin. Even deep ice pick scars can fade with this treatment, and the skin will also lose any unwanted discolouration or unpleasant texture issues.
Given that acne is the most common skin condition, and it affects millions of people, ice pick scars are very common. Even if you take great care with your skincare routine, you may be unable to avoid a few ice pick scars forming over time.
Fortunately, as we have seen here, there are options available. Ice pick scar treatments like laser resurfacing can wipe away scar tissue and bring your skin back to its natural, flawless look before those scars ever appear.
Be sure to consult with specialists prior to making any decisions about ice pick scar treatment. Since there are so many treatment options, getting expert advice for your exact condition, skin type, and scar severity is vital to help you make the right decision.
