If You Ever Wanted to Treat Acne Scars

If you are suffering from severe or cystic acne, particularly if your acne has resulted in

scarring, you may be a very good candidate for laser acne treatment or alternatives to

laser acne treatment. The reason for this is while acne medications can be very effective

at preventing and treating existing pimples, they may not necessarily treat the mild,

moderate, or severe scarring that can result from large, deep pimples that have ruptured

and burst.

There are several types of scars caused by acne. The first type is ice pick scars, which is

the most common type of acne scarring. Ice pick scars are deep pits in the skin that look

like they have been caused by a sharp instrument - like an ice pick. The second type is

box car scars, angular scars most commonly found on the cheeks and temples, and can be

either superficial or deep. They tend to resemble chicken pox scars. The third type is

rolling scars, scars that give the skin a wave-like appearance. Finally, the fourth type is

hypertrophic scars, which are thickened, or keloid scars.

Treatment for scars that have not necessarily been caused by acne include petroleum jelly

and cocoa butter, but these products are not suitable for people with acne. If your scarring

is mild, you may not feel the need to take advantage of surgical treatment such as laser

acne treatment. Non-surgical alternatives to laser acne treatment include skin camouflage

with non-comedegenic and non-acnegenic products, and tretinoin topical creams that

improve fine scars by causing gentle exfoliation and encouraging collagen production.

Another non-surgical alternative to laser acne treatment is the use of injectable skin

fillers, where materials are injected into the depressed area of the scar in order to elevate

it to the level of the normal surrounding skin.

In addition to non-surgical alternatives to laser acne treatment, there are surgical

alternatives to laser acne treatment as well. One alternative is microdermabrasion, a

procedure that uses fine aluminum crystals to exfoliate your skin. It is most effective on

mild scarring if you have at least six sessions spaced apart by one or two weeks. Another

alternative is dermabrasion. This is a procedure where the practitioner uses a rapidly

rotating wire or brush to remove the surface irregularities of your skin. A third alternative

is the surgical removal, or excision, of acne scars. This treatment is most effective for ice

pick scars and box car scars. The excision generally takes the form of a punch that is

closed with sutures, which are then removed a week later.

If you and your dermatologist decide that laser acne treatment is the best treatment for

you, take the time to understand what this procedure involves. Laser acne treatment

makes use of one of two different types of lasers, a carbon dioxide laser and an

erbium:YAG laser. The carbon dioxide laser is the stronger of the two. Laser acne

treatment works by damaging sebaceous glands, the glands that produce the oil that clogs

your pores and forms plugs. It also targets the bacteria that trigger inflammation and

infections, as well as stimulates the growth of collagen, which softens the appearance of

scars.

Laser acne treatment generally requires four to five visits to your doctor, with two to

three weeks in between each visit. While you are receiving laser acne treatment, you may

experience redness and tenderness on the areas that have been treated. Therefore, you

will want to limit your sun exposure by applying sun screen and wearing something on

your head that shields your face. If your laser acne treatment is successful, you will

probably not need additional treatments for another six months to a year.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only, and is not meant to serve as

medical advice. For medical advice, please consult your doctor.

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