Sunday, 25 January 2009

Common Treatment for Acne Scars

If you've had severe acne blemishes, then most likely this has resulted in acne scarring, which can leave your skin with unsightly pockmarks long after the acne is gone.  There are several acne scar treatments available to help you address this problem.It's best to consult with a dermatologist or experienced physician to identify your best treatment option.

Microdermabrasion
This treatment is usually done in a series, over a period of weeks to produce the best results.Fine aluminum oxide particles are used to exfoliate and smooth the surface layer of the skin.It is similar to exfoliation, only stronger than what you can do at home.   This helps with minor acne scarring and discoloration, but may not be adequate for deeper scars.   If you have darker skin or hyper pigmentation, you may have some patchy discoloration following this procedure, so do some research and discuss with your physician to make sure you're aware of any potential side effects.

Photorejuvenation
This is a good option for treating discoloration and can give your skin a smoother skin tone.  Intense pulsed light (IPL) is used to treat individual lesions and discolored marks

Collagen Injections and Autologous Fat Transfer
Collagen may be injected into deeper scars, thus plumping and filling in the surface skin.Fat is often transplanted from one part of the body, then injected into the scar tissue.  Each of these treatment options is temporary, lasting from a few months to a year

Acne Laser Treatment
The right laser treatment will depend on your type of skin and the severity of scarring.  There have been many improvements in laser technology over the past several years. This typically provides great results for most acne scars, with the exception of the deepest ones.

Surgery for Acne
When other treatment options have failed, acne surgery is a good option to explore for deeper scars.  The scar can be removed in a "punch" technique, where the skin around the scar is punched out and then sutured back together so it can heal cleanly and smoothly.Subcision is another common scar treatment.  A needle is inserted under the scar and the fibrous bands of scar tissue are cut and released.  Following subsequent healing, the skin is usually smoother and appearance of scarring is improved.

Keep in mind that everyone's skin and scars are unique, so individual scar treatment results will vary.  However, there are plenty of options worth exploring and many improvements in recent years on laser technology and surgical scar treatment.  By working with an experienced dermatologist or surgeon, you should be able to find the best treatment for your own skin, and cure acne scars once and for all.  Click here to learn more about the best acne scar treatment.

No comments: