Acne Scarring Treatments
In this site I will investigate the many acne scarring treatments that have become popular in recent times. Scarring treatments such as microdermabrasion, laser surgery and more as well as natural ways how to get rid of acne scars will be covered..
A lot of the time "old-looking" skin has much less to do with ageing and more to do with a very common skin problem that affects many people – acne scarring. This can make one look prematurely old. The treatment for acne scarring is wide and varied and this article will briefly cover the various types of acne scarring and the outline the various acne scarring treatments available.
Of all the common skin disorders that afflict people throughout the world one of the most common is acne. It is estimated that approximately 80 percent of people aged between 11 and 30 years have some form of acne. In America it is estimated that between 40 and 50 million people suffer from the affliction. The problem is not confined to any one age group, even though it is most common among younger people it is not unusual for some people to suffer into their forties. Acne is most commonly found on the face, back and chest.
In general, most acne cases respond positively to treatment and no residual scarring is left. Unfortunately, in some cases despite the best acne treatment, acne scarring is unavoidable. Exactly who will be left with acne scars cannot be easily predicted. Some types of acne, like severe cystic acne where, it has been inflamed, will most of the time result in scarring but sometimes people with seemingly mildly inflamed acne can be left with scars. How the acne is treated in the first place can have a marked bearing on whether there will be acne scarring.
The aesthetic effect of acne scarring, regardless of whether it is deep and extensive scarring or superficial can, in some cases, be quite horrible and even minor scarring can have psychological consequences. As one ages and the skin loses it’s elasticity, acne scars can make us appear older.
Fortunately their are several acne scarring treatments available than can either improve the appearance of acne scars or actually remove them. The type of treatment chosen is usually influenced by the type and severity of the scarring.
Let’s now look at the types of acne scars.
When acne is inflamed and there is either an increase in the formation of tissue or a loss of tissue, acne scarring can result.
Scars Caused by an Increase in Tissue Formation
- Hypertrophic and Keloid Scars – these scars are caused by an increase in the formation of tissue.
- Keloid scars form after tissue damage or injury. There appears to be a genetic link with keloid scars in that they tend to run in the family. There is a tendency for African-Americans to be predisposed to keloid scarring. In some families there is also a tendency to form hypertrophic or thickened scars.
There are a few types of Acne scars that form following the loss of tissue. These are more common than keloid scars.
Let’s have a brief look at some types of this acne scarring.
- Ice-pick scars are so-called because of their appearance. This type of scarring can be either shallow or deep, are generally small in diameter and are notable for their steep sides like a wound caused by an ice-pick. Soft ice-pick scars tend to be more shallow and soft to the touch whereas the deeper scars tend to be harder. With the harder ice-pick scars the scar on the surface is usually narrower than the base under the skin.
- Another type, called depressed fibrotic scars, also sometimes called box car scars, have an appearance similar to deep chicken pox scars. In most cases these scars usually have steeply defined sides and sharp margins and are most common on the temple and cheeks.
- Atrophic macules, another type of acne scar, are bluish in color and usually soft and flat. The bluish color is caused by underlying blood vessels. Given time these will usually fade and become less conspicuous.
Things to bear in mind when contemplating an acne scars treatment.
It is best to seek the advice of a professional such as a dermatologist or a dermatologic surgeon when seeking the best treatment for acne scars. A professional will be able to recommend the best course of action bearing in mind the outcome that the patient wishes to achieve. It is important that the acne should be under control before embarking on an acne scarring treatment.
Three things should be considered when deciding on what you want the treatment to achieve. Do you want to remove the scarring or improve their appearance and do you want to combine this with a plan to help rejuvenate the skin?
What Acne Scarring Treatments are available?
Non-surgical
Cosmetic treatments for acne scars are probably the simplest method. With this method a camouflage foundation is used to improve the appearance of the scars. A skin care expert can recommend products that will not irritate the skin and give the best results.
Topical Creams are used to improve fine scarring by gentle exfoliation and to encourage collagen production.
Chemical peels can improve the quality of the skin but have little effect on ice-pick or deep fibriotic scarring This method is most suitable for smaller depressed scars. Best results are obtained with a series of at least 6 treatments spaced 1-2 weeks apart.
Skin Fillers are best used on scars with smooth shoulders and can improve their appearance. Material is injected into the scarred area to raise the level to that of the surrounding skin. There are temporary and permanent fillers available.
Non-ablative collagenosis is a new treatment based on promoting the formation of collagen in the deeper skin while not causing damage to the skin’s surface.
Surgical Methods
Microdermabrasion has become one of the most popular acne scarring treatments. Because it is effective in getting to the deeper skin layers than can a chemical peel, it is a method used to treat hypertrophic and deeper acne scars. By using a combination of microdermabrasion and "punch" excision ice-pick scars can be treated.
Laser treatment for acne scars is one of the newer methods and can be effective in treating some acne scars by sculpting irregular scarring, elevating depressed scars or lightening the appearance of scars. Ablative laser treatments are used to remove the skin’s surface layer allowing for the formation of younger skin that has less scarring. It also promotes new collagen formation in deeper skin layers.
Prevention
Having a smooth clear complexion is something most of us aspire to. When pimples occur it is human nature to try to get rid of them. Quite often this means squeezing them. This action may not only lead to shoprt term redness and stains (hyperpigmentation) but can lead to permanent damage like scarring. The second best treatment is to seek early professional advice if they do occur. The best treatment is to take steps to avoid the problem in the first place. Fortunately there is range of effective acne scarring treatments avalable.
CoolTouch Laser Treatment for Acne and Acne Scars, New York NYC 10022 New York, NYC, Laser Centers specializing in active acne and acne scars laser treatments.
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