Acne Scar Removal or Treatment

Acne breakouts are caused by a variety of environmental, gene, and age factors, even stress. Acne is one of most common skin conditions in the world, afflicting 40 to 50 million Americans. There are several methods of removal or smoothing of the scars depending on age, health condition and severity. Scarring is usually caused by a chronic condition of acne. Ice pick scarring is the most prevalent. It appears like rumpled plastic in a crater-like texture and can appear on the face, arms, back and buttocks. Acne scars result from two types of tissue response to the inflammation of acne: First is increased tissue formation, and second is loss of tissue. Increased tissue formation scars caused by increased tissue formation are caused by a build up of collagen in the skin.

These are called hypertrophic and keloid scars. Keloid-type acne scars on the back of a young man’s neck. Keloids tend to "run in the family"—that is, there is a genetic predisposition to form keloids after tissue injury. Another method for treating acne scarring is dermabrasion, which uses a rotating wire brush or spinning diamond instrument to wear down the surface of the skin. Acne scar removal is treated in much the same way as fine line and wrinkle removal. Lasers promote new collagen growth, filling scars from the inside out. Brown and red discoloration left from acne scars are removed using treatments similar to the removal of pigmented lesions and vascular lesions. There are peels available and UV sun lamps just to name a few.

Retin A is also good for healing. Soft-tissue augmentation can correct some atrophic (loss of tissue) scars. Injections of subcutaneous fat or collagen under the scars elevates them to bring the surface of the scars even with the surface of surrounding skin. A chemical peel or microdermabrasion to help improve the appearance of scarred areas. Laser resurfacing uses high-energy light to burn away breakage skin. Laser resurfacing may be used to minimize wrinkles and fine scars. Punch grafts are small skin grafts used to replace scarred skin. A hole is punched in the skin to remove the scar, which is then replaced with unscarred skin. Injection of steroids directly into keloid scars can sometimes result in scar improvement. Laser treatment(s), plastic surgery or topical creams, are all beneficial methods.

Acne Scar Removal and Treatment Tips

1. Treating the acne on scar prone skin is the most important step in preventing scarring.

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

3. Laser resurfacing uses high-energy light to burn away damaged skin.

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

5. Laser treatment(s), plastic surgery or topical creams, are all beneficial methods, but no method guarantees success.

6. Using an anti-DHT solution to attack and prevent acne.