Scars brought on by uncontrolled acne can impact any individual physically, socially and emotionally. Acne scars can not only appear on the face, but also neck chest back, shoulders and upper arms. Because acne is a common problem that affects millions of people, there are several treatments available to control and treat all levels this skin disorder. The best defense against acne scarring is to treat the outbreak symptoms before they can scar. Nodular or cystic acne, because it is located in the deeper skin, tends to cause scarring when inflammations are not controlled.
Once the acne is managed, the reminder of the problem is the scars that are left within the skin. Treatments are available for the removal or reduction in acne scars. Non surgical procedures such as dermal fillers and fat transfers are often simple and quick with little to no recovery. Chemical peels in varying strengths can also be effective to resurface and decrease the appearance of skin imperfections. Microdermabrasion and laser treatments are fast and effective methods to decrease the severity of scars. Multiple treatments are often needed for noticeable improvement.
Several non-ablative laser treatments can also be done in office with minimal downtime. Fractional lasers partially ablate (or wear away) the epidermal layer of skin. The removal of this top skin layer decreases the depth of the scar and stimulates collagen below the surface to initiate healing in the damaged areas. 2-4 days of redness or downtime result with best outcomes noted 4-6 weeks later. Multiple treatments are often needed for best results. Some fractional lasers on the market today are the Fraxel®, Affirm® and Pixel® lasers to name just a few.
When the scarring is severe, surgical methods can be taken to lessen or even remove the scarring. Excisions of individual scar marks or subcision can remove or break up the fibrous scar tissue under local anesthetic. These minor surgical procedures may require combinations of therapies to promote an effective result. Dermabrasion or CO2 laser will ablate the top layers of skin, going deeper than the other treatments. The more invasive laser and surgical procedures are done under anesthesia with several days to weeks of recovery time. Not every treatment is right for every person and a consult with a dermatologist or cosmetic physician should be sought to determine the best treatment for skin needs. |
