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Acne scars are a problem for many people who suffered bad acne
flare-ups in the past. After all, 80% of people in their teens and
twenties are affected with acne. Most people will not have any lasting
any affects of acne, but some will develop scarring that can be
disfiguring. There are many products and medical procedures available
for the treatment of acne scars. These treatments range from topical
skin creams to surgical procedures. Prevention is also very important
if wanting to avoid a long-term problem.
Prevention of acne scars is the best way to avoid future problems.
To prevent acne lesions that cause scarring, you must learn how
to reduce the factors that cause acne breakouts in the first place.
Some ways to prevent acne lesions is daily washing of your face
with an antibacterial soap and avoiding the use of heavy lotions
on the face and acne prone areas of your body.
There are several classifications of acne scars. These should be
known in order to determine what type of treatments would be most
effective. Ice pick acne scars are sharp, narrow scars that make
the skin appear as if it has been punctured. Ice pick scars are
usually too deep to be treated with any acne scar resurfacing. Boxcar
scars are round or oval depressions and if they are not too deep
can usually be treated with some treatments. Rolling scars are spots
below the skin and can’t be treated with conventional acne
scar treatments. Breaking up the fibrous tissue beneath the skin
treats rolling scars.
There are many different acne scar treatments and most times procedures
are combined to offer the greatest results. Dermal fillers are a
product that is injected into the acne scars to give a smoother
look. Examples of dermal fillers are fat, bovine collagen and human
collagen. Dermal fillers are not a permanent solution to acne scars
and the procedure must be repeated for maintenance. Punch excision
is used to treat deep scars such as ice pick and boxcar scars. Punch
excision is the process of using a tool to remove the entire scarred
area and suture the remaining skin together. This method will leave
a scar but it is typically a lot less noticeable than if the acne
scar had been left. Punch excision is sometimes used with skin grafting
as well. This means that rather than suturing the skin together
a skin graft is applied using skin usually removed from behind the
ear. With skin grafting color and skin texture differences may be
noticeable but can be corrected after healing with skin resurfacing.
Punch elevation is surgical procedure used on deep boxcar acne scars.
The procedure involves using a punch tool to remove the scar and
then elevating the under layer skin and securing it with sutures.
This method lessens the risk of color and texture differences and
also reduces visible scars left from suturing as in punch excision.
Subcutaneous incision is the method used to break up the fibrous
bands caused under the skin by rolling scars. Laser resurfacing
is a popular choice of repair for many skin conditions. Laser resurfacing
works by burning off the top layers of skin and in turn newer looking
skin grows in its place.
To continue, there are many ways to correct or at least lessen
the appearance of acne scars. Prevention of acne scars is key and
will help you avoid the need to acne scar treatment altogether.
If you feel acne scar treatment is something you require, consult
your physician. Your physician will refer you to a qualified dermatologist
with whom you can discuss your treatment options. Choosing the best
treatment is key, as you want to use the most economical and effective
method possible. You will also want to discuss treatment options
that can be combined, for example, punch elevation and laser resurfacing.
Combining the two treatments will compliment each other as the laser
resurfacing can reduce any minimal scarring caused by the surgical
procedure. When considering acne scar treatment always seek the
help of a professional that has the correct credentials needed for
such consultations. Also note that there are many over the counter
products that state they can reduce the appearance of acne scars.
While many of them may reduce the appearance temporarily, your healthcare
professional is the best judge when it comes to a permanent solution.
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