Acne Scar Treatment Procedures
Though acne can range from being mild to very severe, the severe acne conditions are responsible for causing scars. Particularly dangerous are the severe inflammatory nodulocystic acne. Permanent scars can be caused if you try to squeeze or pinch the area. Thus to prevent formation of acne scars, it is imperative that you adopt the right treatment for it. However, it must be borne in mind that acne scars can take up to a year to heal on their own.
Few of the most common acne scar treatment options include:
Subcutaneous Incision
Dermal Fillers
Laser Surfacing
Also called subcision, the subcutaneous incision is an acne scar treatment procedure used to treat a variety of acne scars, particularly the rolling scars. This type of scars is caused by fibrous bands which result in the skin to roll leaving an uneven surface on the skin. The aim of this procedure is to break up the fibrous scar tissues.
The procedure involves using local anesthesia and a beveled needle placed parallel to the skin is inserted into the skin. The needle then undergoes a piston-like movement which cuts through the fibrous bands. For achieving the desired results, several sessions of this treatment might be needed. It may result in an initial bruising which usually disappears after about a week.
The aim of dermal fillers in acne scar treatment is to attenuate and prevent the formation of scars. Fat, hyaluronic acid derivatives, collagen, and polytheyl-methacrylate microspheres with collagen are some of the common materials used in dermal fillers.
The process is all about injecting the dermal fillers under the surface of the acne area which elevates the scars to the level of the normal skin, thereby giving a smooth and even look and feel. For maintenance of this smooth periodic treatment with dermal fillers might be needed. The solution is also not a permanent cure. Why does it have to be periodic? The reason is the filler used. For example collagen when used as filler would break down over time.
One of the very popular methods of acne scar treatment is laser surfacing which is also used for treating various skin conditions like age spots and wrinkles. Though there are several methods of laser surfacing the one which uses carbon dioxide, Erbium YAG (ErYAG), and long pulsed erbium (YAG) lasers is perhaps the most commonly accepted.
Essentially laser treatment entails burning the first layer of the skin to a certain pre-determined depth. This removal is replaced by a healthier skin with time. Usually this treatment is most preferred by acne patients who wish to remove the acne scars. It is also a recommended therapy option for removing deep scars. It is important to remember that this treatment entails reddening of the skin during the healing period.
While acne scar treatment if done rightly can give miraculous results, it is important to know when you are ready to receive such treatments. For instance, before considering acne treatment you must be free of active acne. So what is the first step before you start acne treatment? Get back a clear skin.
|
![Clinical evaluation of the SmartSkin[TM] fractional laser for the treatment of photodamage and acne scars.(ORIGINAL ARTICLES)(Report): An article from: Journal of Drugs in Dermatology](style/img/no-image-small.gif)