Acne Scars Treatment - 10 Popular Methods
Acne scarring is one of the unintended consequences of acne breakouts. Scarring is a physiologic abnormality but its effects can be psychologically upsetting to a lot of people as well. To find out what acne scars treatment may be best for you, it is important to first learn how acne scars form and the different types that may you may have.
Acne scarring is an abnormal rejuvenation process in response to skin tissue damages caused by inflammation during acne breakouts. As acne burst out, deep skin follicle walls and skin tissues are damaged. Since skin cells are destroyed on the location of the breakout, they can no longer regenerate. To compensate for this loss, the body induces a compensatory healing reaction through fibrous collagen formation. However, collagen tissues cannot imitate perfectly the way keratinocytes or skin cells rejuvenate. What comes out are fibrotic tissues that are rough in texture, asymmetric in shape and often deep.
Four Types Of Acne Scars
Atrophic scars- When loss of skin tissues happens, this leaves scars that have an obvious gap or depression. Ice pick scars and Box car scars belong to this category.
Ice pick scars are steep, narrow, pitted skin indentations that measure less than 2mm in diameter. The scar looks like a "stabbed" hollow that closely looks like an ice pick wound stab. They appear as small pin pointed holes on the surface but they have a wider base that extends down to the deeper skin layers.
Box car scars on the hand has wider and more obvious depression than ice pick scars. It is edges are straight and sharply angled. Depending on the inflammation from it preceded, its depth may either be deep or shallow.
Rolling scars, are uniquely categorized as they appear to form a wave-like or rolling pattern. These are formed when the lower portion of the epidermis are pulled in and adhered to with the dermis, by a formation of collagen fibrous tissues at the junction between these skin two layers.
Hypertrophic or Keloidal acne scar occurs when too many collagen fibrous tissues had been produced. Scar tissues appear chunky, highly protruding and thick on the skin surface.
Treatments
The following non-invasive procedures are effective against superficial and mid-depth acne scars.
1. Chemical peels or Chemical resurfacing- This technique uses controlled desquamation of dead skin cells that make up the scar. As the scar is gradually sloughed off, newer and healthier skin cells emerge and rejuvenate at the skin surface. Exfoliant compounds such as Salicylic Acids, Glycolic Acids, Phenols and other exfoliating chemicals are often used for this non-invasive procedure. Neighboring skin tissues may be damaged, side effects normally associated with any of these chemicals such as stinging, erythema, dryness and sun burns are the disadvantages of this method.
2. Dermabrasion is done by controlled mechanical friction on the surface of an acne scar. The abrasion action causes pain, so this procedure is performed with local anesthesia. The mechanism of action is simple. The scar surface is gradually sloughed off with the use of specially-made Silicone Carbide sandpaper or with a special type of instrument laded with fine brushes that revolves rapidly. Once the dead skin cells are detached, fresh skin cells are brought up to the surface and rejuvenation takes place making the scar marks less obvious and barely visible in 2-4 weeks.
3. Micro-resurfacing. More popularly known as Microdermabrasion, this method uses harmless compound mediums that are placed on the scar surface. Dead skin cells then adhere to the compound, which are then removed through suctioning. New skin cells replace the dead skin cells at the surface. Commonly used mediums are Aluminum Oxide Crystals, Sodium Chloride Crystals and Diamond Tips.
4. Laser resurfacing or Laser peel technique. This method uses infrared red wavelength in removing dead skin cells and at the same time, stimulate non-fibrous collagen formation. Examples are CO2 laser, Erbium:YAG laser, ND YAG laser, NALA, which stands for Non Ablative Laser Ablation and DERMALITE. Remarkable improvements on skin texture and tone are noticeable in 2-3 weeks.
Deeper acne scars require more invasive procedures because the depth of damage is way beyond the reach of compounds, chemicals and abrasion tools.
5. Dermal Filler. This procedure is done by injecting bovine collagens, hyaluronic acids, as well as filler substances made from human skin such as cymetra, beneath the scar. This elevates the scar until it is leveled with the surface of the skin. However, the results are not permanent and sessions are repeated for several months. Box car acne scars respond well to this procedure.
6. Subcutaneous incison or subcision is the preferred acne scars treatment of choice for rolling scar acne. A small sterile instrument such as a needle or scalpel separates the lower epidermis from the dermis skin layer by excising the fibrous tissue bands that had previously formed between these two skin layers. After the fibrous scar is removed, the epidermis is elevated up and becomes more leveled with epidermal surface. The wave-like pattern now becomes flattened and smoother in texture. Since subcision is a surgical procedure but a minor one, local anesthesia is needed.
7. Punch excision involves the removal of acne scar and the neighboring skin. The surgical wound site is then attached through suturing.
8. Punch excision and grafting. A punch excision is performed initially, however, instead of using sutures to close the wound, a skin graft, which is taken from the patient's own skin, is placed above the excision site. This prevents rejection and skin rejuvenation looks more natural and even.
9. Punch elevation is another variation of punch excision. After the excision is done, elevation techniques are performed by the surgeon to bring the area at par with the surrounding skin. Furthermore, closing the excision area is done by placing a skin glue or steri-strips. Skin grafting and traditional suturing methods are not used.
These three procedures are collectively called as Punch Techniques. All procedures are done under the influence of Local anesthesia. They are primarily used for deep ice pick and box car acne scars. Major improvements are noticeable in 3 weeks.
10. Hypertrophic scars are best treated with corticosteroids. Intralesional injection delivers cortisol directly inside the keloid scar which deflates the protruding scar. Topical creams, gels and tapes loaded with corticosteroids are also applied on the skin surface.
Acne scars treatment requires guidance and proper management of a dermatologist. Consulting with your physician is needed. Furthermore, it takes a few months for optimum skin improvements to show. With patience and proper medical-surgical management, saying goodbye to your acne scar is never far behind to reach.
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