Acne Scar Removal Options - no scars please!
For people who suffer from acne, the only thing worse is acne
scars - those marks that are left behind as a constant reminder
of what you went through while dealing with acne. Quite a bit of
research has gone into acne scar removal, and some methods for
acne scar removal have proven to be very effective.
Acne scar removal can be both painful, and expensive. In most
cases, it will take more than one round of treatment to get the
best results, and often, even with the best results, the scars
are not completely removed, but are greatly diminished and less
noticeable. Most acne scar removal treatments are done in the
dermatologist's office, and the patient is sedated.
The newest method for acne scar removal is laser skin
resurfacing. Using a laser, the scarred skin is vaporized,
leaving the layer of unscarred skin below the vaporized skin
visible. Doctors are recommending laser skin resurfacing more
than other treatments due to the fact that the results seem to
be better, and fewer recurring treatments are necessary. While
this method has been proven to be quite effective, other older
methods of acne scar removal are also still used.
Dermabrasion is probably the widest known and used method of
acne scar removal. A machine is used to literally abrade the
skin, removing the top layer. Skin will have a smoother
appearance, but the results are not as effective as laser skin
resurfacing. Dermabrasion is less expensive than laser skin
resurfacing, however.
Chemical peels are also a popular method for acne scar removal.
Chemical peels work just like Dermabrasion and laser skin
resurfacing, by removing the top layer of skin. But instead of
using machinery or lasers, chemicals are used to remove the top
layer. The results are about the same as the results that are
achieved with Dermabrasion - and chemical peels are usually less
expensive.
While laser skin resurfacing, Dermabrasion, and chemical peels
are the most popular methods for acne scar removal, injection
methods are also used. The injections may contain collagen, or
fat taken from other parts of the body. While these injections
work well, they do have to be repeated often, and they can be
quite expensive. The injections do not actually remove or heal
the scars - it simply hides them by filling them up.
Deep acne scars can be removed with punch grafts. Grafts of skin
are taken from other parts of the body, and used to replace the
scarred skin. This is a drastic method, and is usually only used
for severe acne scars. This is a surgical procedure that is
usually done in the hospital, not in the doctor's office. Less
severe acne scars may be treated with over the counter creams
that contain Retin-A. Your dermatologist can also prescribe
medications that contain Retin-A for acne scar removal. Again,
this will only work for very light scarring. Moderate to severe
scarring requires other types of treatment, such as
dermabrasion, chemical peels, or laser skin resurfacing.
Everyone is not a candidate for acne scar removal. Many active
diseases or pre-existing conditions can prevent you from
pursuing acne scar removal treatments. Such diseases or
conditions should be discussed with your health care provider
before seeking treatment for acne scar removal. Furthermore, if
you have an acne breakout during your acne scar removal
treatment, that treatment will be discontinued until the
outbreak clears up, and there is no sign of infection.
Of course, the best treatment for acne scar removal would be not
to get the scars in the first place. Do not pop or squeeze acne
pimples, and do not leave acne pimples untreated. If you don't
use anything else, use an antibiotic ointment on the pimples to
ensure that the infection clears up properly. However, if you do
have acne scars, and you are thinking about acne scar removal,
talk with your dermatologist to determine which method will work
best for you, keeping in mind that some treatments work well for
some people, while different treatments work better for others.
Your dermatologist will be able to determine which treatment
will work best for you, based on the severity of your acne
scars, and your skin type.