Acne Scar Removal- How To Improve The Scars and Help Your Self Esteem

Acne Scar Removal – You can have smoother looking skin.

There are several options for acne scar removal, each effective in certain cases. The patient should discuss the options with their dermatologist and decide which treatment is best for them.

Acne is classified in different categories according to severity. Mild acne is the kind of ordinary, small pimples that everybody gets at times. As long as they stay mild, they rarely leave lasting scars. Moderately severe acne causes pimples that become red and inflamed, sometimes with white centers. The most severe form causes the subcutaneous growth of nodules, pus-filled cysts that often become painful. While all of these forms can cause some scarring, the deep, lasting scars that require treatment generally only occur with nodules.

Acne scars fall into four categories according to shape. The most common are called icepick scars because they are deep and narrow, resembling injuries inflicted with an icepick. Rolling scars have a gradual depression in the middle, giving the skin a wavy appearance which inspired the name. Boxcar scars form a well-defined, sharp-edged depression in the skin, as if formed by a miniature boxcar. Hypertrophic scars form a raised area which does not expand beyond the edge of the original opening. Keloid scars are also raised, but grow beyond the original wound boundary.

Acne scars are particularly persistent and difficult to treat because the original infection happens in the hair follicles under the skin. Because of this, much of the tissue damage is subcutaneous and therefore hard to reach. Luckily, modern science has developed treatments that can help in most cases.

Acne Scar Removal Treatments

Relatively mild cases resulting in minor scarring can sometimes be remedied by using a chemical peel to remove the top layer of skin. An alternative is microdermabrasion in which an instrument is used to wear away very small areas of skin. This is often enough to considerably improve the appearance of mild scarring.

The microdermabrasion treatment can be expanded into full-scale dermabrasion in which larger areas of skin are worn away with a spinning instrument. When the area heals, the new skin is usually smoother. Recovery time ranges from ten days to three weeks.

Laser resurfacing uses a laser to remove the top layer of skin and causes the layer underneath to become tighter, reducing wrinkles. This method can cause some mild discomfort and is generally accompanied by a local anesthetic. Healing time is from ten days to three weeks.

Fractional laser therapy penetrates to a deeper level in the skin and does its work there without damaging the upper layers. As we have seen, acne often involves damage below the surface, and this method addresses the most severe instances of this. Since the epidermis is not damaged, healing time is quicker and the discomfort is no worse than a sunburn.

Regardless of the type and severity of the original acne, there is hope for losing those lingering scars. Patients no longer need to stay scarred for life, but can regain their original skin appearance and with it, their self-confidence and esteem.

Set up an appointment with Dr. Seymour Weaver today for a consultation about your acne scar removal.