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Acne ScarsMillions of people suffer the ravages of acne scars long after adolescence has passed and the acne condition has faded. Acne in its most severe form can leave sufferers with deep permanent scars. Acne typically results in two types of scars - "ice pick," or pitting scars, and "depressed," crater-like scars. Treating Acne scarsThanks to the refinement of a number of dermatologic surgical techniques, acne scars can be treated with a variety of safe, effective procedures that improve the appearance of a patient's skin and boost the patient's self-esteem. Your dermatologic surgeon will choose the technique or combination of treatment approaches based upon the nature of the scarring, the patient's medical history, and the status of recent clinical studies in this rapidly evolving area of research. Following are common techniques and procedures used to improve acne scarring: DermabrasionThe dermatologic surgeon freezes the patient's skin or uses tumescent anesthesia and then removes or "abrades" the skin with a rotary instrument. The skin undergoes a "remodeling" process as it heals, resulting in a smoother and fresher appearance. Excision and Punch Replacement GraftA depressed acne scar is surgically removed, and a patch of skin from elsewhere on the patient's body. Soft Tissue FillersBovine collagen, collagen-related fillers, polymer implants or a patient's own fat (taken from another part of the body) is injected in small quantities below the surface of the skin to elevate depressed scars. Laser TherapyBy delivering short pulses of the laser beam, the dermatologic surgeon can smooth, sculpt and normalize the appearance of acne scars. The ultra pulsed carbon dioxide laser, the erbium YAG laser and the pulsed dye yellow light laser are most commonly used for treating acne scarring. Chemical PeelingBy applying a chemical solution to the skin, mild scarring and certain types of acne may be treated. This procedure enables new, regenerated skin to appear, improving the appearance of the condition. Microdermabrasion
Tiny particles passing through a vacuum tube gently scrape away the top layer of scarred skin and stimulate new cell growth. Because
of the superficial nature of this technique, patients with mild scarring are the best candidates, and multiple treatments are usually
required to achieve subtle results.
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