Understanding Boxcar Scars: A Closer Look

Boxcar scars are one type of atrophic scars and one of the common reminders of past acne outbreaks. Characterized by their wide, U-shaped appearance and sharp, defined edges, these scars often resemble chickenpox scars and can leave an uneven texture on the skin.

Causes of Boxcar Scars

These are the result of inflammatory acne. When an inflamed acne lesion destroys collagen in the skin, it leaves behind a loss of tissue. The skin does not have enough collagen to repair this hole, leading to a depressed area, thus creating a scar.

Treatment Options for Boxcar Scars In Edmonton

There are several options for treating these scars, including:

  1. Laser Resurfacing: This technique uses laser beams to remove damaged skin cells layer by layer. The precision of the laser allows for targeted treatment, promoting collagen production and smoothing out the skin’s surface.
  2. Microneedling: By creating tiny punctures on the skin’s surface, microneedling stimulates collagen production, helping elevate and even out the depressed areas of the scar.
  3. Filler Injections: A temporary solution, fillers like hyaluronic acid, can be injected beneath the scar to raise the skin’s surface, making these scars less noticeable.
  4. Subcision: A minor surgical procedure, subcision involves inserting a needle sideways underneath the scarred skin to break fibrous bands that pull the skin down, helping lift and level the scar.

What are boxcar scars and how do they form?

They are a type of atrophic acne scar that appear as broad, shallow depressions with sharply defined edges, resembling craters. They result from inflammatory acne that destroys collagen, preventing the skin from healing smoothly. These scars often form on the cheeks and temples.
Effective treatments include fractional laser resurfacing, microneedling with radiofrequency (RF), chemical peels, and dermal fillers. In some cases, subcision or punch excision may be recommended to lift the depressed tissue before resurfacing the skin.
While complete removal is rare, significant improvement is possible with the right treatment plan. A series of customized procedures, often combining energy-based devices and collagen stimulation techniques, can dramatically reduce the appearance of boxcar scars.
Results vary depending on the treatment used and the severity of the scars. Initial improvement can often be seen within 4 to 6 weeks, but full results usually develop over several months as collagen remodeling continues.
Most treatments are well tolerated and performed with topical or local anesthetics to minimize discomfort. Patients typically describe the sensation as a mild prickling or heat, especially during laser or RF microneedling procedures.

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Boxcar Scars

Boxcar scars are a type of atrophic scar characterized by broad, rectangular depressions with steep, defined edges. These scars are typically caused by inflammatory acne, chickenpox, or other skin injuries that result in a loss of collagen in the affected area. Boxcar scars can vary in depth, but they’re distinguished by their sharp edges unlike other types of atrophic scars.

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