How to Treat Acne Scars

Acne is a skin condition which is common across the globe. Scars from acne can seem like double punishment. Acne occurs most often on the face. However it also appears many a times on the chest and the back. There are different kinds of acne scarring: ice pick scarring, atrophic scarring, and hypertrophic scarring. Ice pick scars are deep pitted scars with steep edges. Atrophic scars are pitted but have smooth borders and are not as deep. Hypertrophic scar, more common on the back and chest, are thick lumpy scars that sit above the surface of the skin. Hypertrophic scars - Thickened, or keloid scars. Asians have a lower risk of hyperpigmentation than African Americans, but higher risk than Caucasian patients.

The risk of hypertrophic and keloidal scars is 5-15 times higher in african american patients and 3-5 times higher in patients of Asian descent. In the simplest terms, scars form at the site of an injury to tissue. Two types of true scars exist, as discussed later. First is depressed areas such as ice-pick scars, and Second is raised thickened tissue such as keloids. Most serious scarring is caused by the more severe forms of acne, with nodules more likely to leave permanent scars than other types of acne. The best way to deal with acne is to get treatment soon after the acne appears to prevent further severe acne and more scarring. Chemical peels can improve small, depressed scars and some larger scars. Peeling may also be effective in treating any remaining acne by removing comedones.

Motorized dermabrasion is a medium-deep or deep procedure and employs the use of a motorized brush or diamond cylinder. Laser treatment of acne scars is a newer technology but one that can be very effective in selected patients. Wearing a good sunscreen is important. Using tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova, Avita) speeds up the skin's remodeling process and helps heal post-inflammatory changes. Appropriate formulations of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Beta-Hydroxy Acid (BHA) that contain the correct concentrations and are at the appropriate pH also help the skin's remodeling process. Injection of steroids directly into keloid scars can sometimes result in acne scar treatment / improvement. Picking at scabs should be avoided at all costs.

Acne Scars Tratment Tips

1. Wearing a good sunscreen is useful against scars.

2. Wash your face twice a day in warm salty water.

3. Punch grafts are small skin grafts used to replace scarred skin.

4. Laser resurfacing may be used to minimize wrinkles and fine scars.

5. Ice down the acne before bed, by morning it should be noticeably better.

6. Dermabrasion may be used to minimize small scars, minor skin surface irregularities.

7. Chemical peels are often used to minimize sun-damaged skin, irregular pigment, and superficial scars.

8. Using medcine tretinoin speeds up the skin's remodeling process and helps heal post-inflammatory changes.

9. Use cucumber juice or fresh cucumber paste as a face mask.

10. Egg whites are a cheap yet effective way of how to treat acne scar.

11. Honey is another natural moisturizer that can help in treating acne scars.