Top Acne Scarring Treatments
Depending on what type of acne scars you have, there are different types of treatments. An examination by your doctor can determine which acne scar treatment, procedure or even a combination of treatments you should use for your type of scars. Dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, punch techniques, chemical peels, augmentation, and subcision are some of the most common used today.
Dermabrasion
The oldest of all resurfacing methods, dermabrasion was largely eclipsed by the laser craze of the mid’90s, as dermatologists by the droves did away with their old dermabrasion equipment to embrace the new technology.
This is a procedure in which a rapidly rotating, abrasive metal wheel is used to mechanically remove layers of skin. It takes a skilled touch to get the best results; unskilled technique can produce an unnaturally contoured skin surface as wavy as unevenly sanded wood.
Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing is another common technique used in the treatment of acne scars. This is considered, by experts to be a high standard of resurfacing the skin. In using a laser beam, it will pass through a chamber filled with carbon dioxide gas.
Chemical Peels
These peels are helpful for unclogging pores, improving brown spots and clearing acne. They’re effective because of the higher concentrations of salicylic acid, usually, 20-30 percent, compared to the 0.5-2 percent found in products used by consumers.
Punch Techniques
Another common means of removal is called punch excision, typically used for ice pick scars. The scar is punched out of the skin with a biopsy punch instrument that looks a little like an apple corer. This leaves a tiny cylindrical hole. Depending on its size and location, the cavity is then either closed with a small suture, or filled in with what is known as a punch graft, a plug of skin taken from behind the patient’s ear.
Subcision
For large, nondistensible scars, some doctors use a method call subcision, inserting a beveled needle under the scar and moving it back and forth to cut the fibrous strands of collagen that are holding it down. This can be useful for some scars, but there are trade-offs. You get a fair amount of bruising and discoloration with subcision, which can take a long time to heal.
In your search for an acne scar treatment that’s right for you, know that there are other options available. Perhaps you’re looking for a quicker, less invasive method, without paying for costly procedures, or expensive visits to the salon or doctor’s office.
Want to find out more about removing acne scars, then visit Kim Hartley’s site on how to choose the best acne scar products for your needs.
