Acne Scar Removal Procedures: Yes, There Are Ways to Remove Them!

The emergence of acne scar removal procedures has given hope to people who have suffered the marks of this common skin condition. Technological advances and improved knowledge among practitioners have made sure that severe acne does not leave a souvenir on our skin.

Acne scar removal can start with a basic ointment applied to the damaged area. Certain ointments, like Colchinin, Verapamil, Pentoxilifin and Neosporin, are effective in erasing darkened spots or scars that have no heights but have caused a part of the skin to darken or get discolored.

But scars caused by severe acne are often more than just discoloration. They are either caused by loss of tissue, or scars that have crater-like appearance, or caused by formation of tissue, or those that have heights such as keloids. In both cases, mere ointments are often not enough and certain procedures are needed to erase these types of marks.

1. Laser procedure. The use of laser to burn away the damaged tissue is quite common. This treatment is now also being used to cure acne itself; but for scar-removal, it functions by recontouring the shape of the mark or by burning away the excess tissue formed due to skin damage. Depending on the severity of the condition, the treatment can be done more than once. Certain redness in the area treated often appears days after the procedure but they disappear after awhile.

2. Autologous fat transfer. This is used on scars that have created depressions on the skin, or those that have left pits on the surface. It involves taking fat from another part of your skin to be transferred to the depressed area to elevate the skin and create a smooth surface. Sometimes, this procedure requires repetition since some skin types absorb the transfer and can return to the condition prior to the fat transfer.

3. Peels. This entails the use of certain chemicals applied to the skin and is effective for superficial scars or discolored skin. It removes the top layer or the damaged part to give way to fresh skin to resurface and replace what has been peeled.

4. Dermabrasion. Just like skin peeling, this procedure is designed to remove the top layer of the skin to give it time to heal and be replaced by a fresh batch. In this procedure, though, a machine is used to remove the damaged part. It is more complicated than mere peeling since it entails the use of a device rather than a chemical that is just applied.

5. Surgical removal. The most common procedure used in keloids is surgical removal. The removal of thick or keloidal marks through surgery is often combined with maintenance treatment since surgery alone might not result in regenerated skin with normal appearance. There are cases, though, when people who have tendencies to form keloids react negatively to this procedure by forming other keloidal scars caused by the surgery. In some cases, keloids are not treated at all since any procedure might lead to further damage.

Acne scar removal techniques have become easier and more common. For those who have been left with severe acne marks, discussing your options with a physician is the first step that should be taken.