Acne Holes On Face: Types, Treatment, Cost and Prevention Tips

Breakouts are widespread in the teenage years and can persist in adulthood as well. They often leave acne holes or pimple holes which typically look like depressions on the skin’s surface. It usually is a result of severe acne that occurs during puberty, pregnancy, menstruation, or due to hormone imbalances. This article explores in detail how to treat acne holes on your face with the help of professional medical procedures.

Why Do Acne Holes Appear?

When oil glands become overactive, they secrete more sebum than usual. As a result, the skin pores get colonised with bacteria, dead cells, and dirt, leading to clogging of the pores, infection and inflammation. This results in the formation of pus-filled acne or pimples that penetrate deep inside the layers of skin. When the healing occurs naturally, there is stimulation of blood vessels that involves the release of various growth factors as a result of inflammation. This triggers the process of collagen production and breakdown; leaving a depression called an acne or pimple hole.

Must Read: How To Get Rid Of Acne Scars & Holes?

What Are The Different Types Of Acne Holes?

Yes, there is a variation in the size of acne scars, but dermatologists categorise them into different types based on their appearance and not their size. Acne scar holes are of the following types –

• Ice-pick Scars – These appear like pinpricks that are set deep into the skin, and look similar to enlarged pores. They are about 2mm deep and are conical.
• Rolling Scars – They have gentle, sloping edges and make the skin appear undulated.
• Boxcar Scars – This term refers to acne holes with sharp edges.

Keloid or Hypertrophic scars, on the other hand, refer to raised acne scars that form in some cases.

Must Read: How To Remove Old Scars?

How To Get Rid Of Acne Holes On Face?

Irrespective of what type of acne scars you have, there are plenty of professional treatments available at dermatology clinics to minimise their appearance. Here are some popular techniques dermatologists use to reduce acne holes.

• Pixel Laser Resurfacing: The technique can effectively get rid of holes on the face caused by acne, and improve your skin texture. Dermatologists use a fractionated laser to create small wounds which prompt a healing response in the skin. This stimulates the production of new collagen and fills the acne hole after a few sessions. As a result, the skin appears smoother and more even-toned than before.

• Micro-Needling Fractional Radiofrequency: This is a rather new technology, but it has become a popular treatment option for many people who do not wish to experience the downtime after a pixel laser treatment. It uses micro-needling radiofrequency, which heats the deeper layers of the skin and reduces acne holes to deliver a smooth skin texture. There is no downtime involved with this procedure.

• Chemical Peel: To clear ice-pick scars, dermatologists focally apply a specific type of chemical peel containing Trichloroacetic acid called TCA Cross Peel into the depth of scars using a fine-tipped instrument. This enhances the production of collagen, and eventually fills the acne holes on the face.
• Subcision: Dermatologists recommend this procedure to treat very deep acne holes and tethered rolling scars. After infiltration of the concerned area with a local anaesthetic, doctors use a microneedle to detach the adhesions underlying the scar and raise it as close to the skin’s surface as possible. They may perform a Pixel laser resurfacing treatment or micro-needling procedure after this to flatten the acne holes further and restore the skin’s smoothness.
• Punch Excision, Grafting Or Elevation: It is a minor surgical procedure used for treating more extensive boxcar scars. It involves the removal of scarred tissue using a punch and suturing the rest of skin together. This method ensures that the larger holes on the skin become smaller in size and are treatable with the use of other procedures. In some cases, doctors use a tissue graft from another area of the body to fill in the defect. Rarely, dermatologists do not remove the tissue but suture it at a higher level on the skin.
• Dermal Fillers: Apart from treating wrinkles and enhancing facial contours, dermal fillers can help fill acne holes on the face. Doctors often inject hyaluronic acid into acne scars to raise them to the skin’s surface and make the texture appear even. However, this treatment is only a temporary solution since the effects of the filler fade as the body absorbs the solution.
• Dermabrasion: It is an invasive procedure which uses an abrasive tool to create micro-wounds in the skin, and through the healing process, these injuries help reduce acne holes on the face. The procedure involves a slightly extended downtime, and the chances of unwarranted side effects are considerable when compared to other treatments. The results are inferior when compared with the more advanced technologies of laser resurfacing and micro-needling fractional radiofrequency.
• Microdermabrasion: Dermatologists use a diamond-tip tool or abrasive crystals under a hand-held vacuum system to exfoliate the top layer of the skin while performing this minimally invasive technique. As cells begin to heal, they form a new surface layer of skin, and that helps fade away the acne scars. This method helps only in eliminating very superficial acne scars.
• Intralesional Injections: Dermatologists use injections containing corticosteroids for treating hypertrophic acne scars.

Must Read: Acne Scar Treatment

What Is The Cost Of Acne Holes Treatment?

The cost of laser treatment for acne holes starts around Rs 7,000 per session and can go up to Rs 20,000 per session, while a TCA Cross peel procedure may cost you around Rs 3,000 to Rs 7,000 per session. Micro-needling Fractional Radiofrequency treatment may come for a price range between Rs 10,000 and Rs 25,000 per session and microdermabrasion may involve an expense between Rs 2,000 and Rs 5,000. Acne scar removal treatment using punch excision may cost you around Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000, while dermal fillers may come at a price range between Rs 20,000 and Rs 1,00,000. Skin grafting involves an expenditure between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1,00,000, on the other hand, acne scar removal creams come for a price range between Rs 900 and Rs 2,000.

The cost of treatment for acne holes varies from person to person based on the target area, the extent of acne scarring, underlying cause, skin type and modality used.

Please note the prices mentioned above are indicative only and may differ from one clinic to another depending on its reputation, location, technology offered, and the experience of the dermatologist performing the treatment. It is advisable to visit a skin clinic to know the exact cost of treatment for acne holes.

Tips To Prevent Acne Holes

Here are a few simple tips you can follow to prevent the formation of acne holes on your face:

• Prevention of acne pits and holes on the face becomes easy when you seek treatment in the early stages. Acne scarring is avoidable to an extent if you seek prompt help from an experienced dermatologist to manage your acne safely and effectively.
• If you suffer from active acne, avoid picking or touching them unnecessarily.
• Use the right skincare products for your acne-prone skin, such as a suitable cleanser a good sunscreen and a non-comedogenic moisturiser. Speak to a dermatologist to know more about products that are suitable for your specific skin type.
• Drink plenty of water to flush out toxins from the body.
• Eat a healthy and balanced diet that has plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Follow the above tips to prevent acne holes. However, if you already have acne holes seek professional treatment options that target the collagen below the surface to correct your skin irregularities. Consult your dermatologist today to find out the most suitable treatment procedure for your concern and get ready to flaunt flawless skin!