Depending on what type of acne scars you have, there are different types of treatments. An examination by your doctor can determine which acne scar treatment, procedure or even a combination of treatments you should use for your type of scars. Dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, punch techniques, chemical peels, augmentation, and subcision are some of the most common used today.

Dermabrasion

In the mid 90’s, dermabrasion gave way for dermatologists to welcome the new technology of one of the oldest laser resurfacing methods.

Removing layers of skin with an abrasive, rapidly rotating wheel, takes a skilled hand to achieve the best results. Used unskillfully, it can create an unnatural contoured skin surface that has an uneven appearance.

Laser Resurfacing

A common method for acne scarring is laser resurfacing. It uses a laser beam to pass through a chamber filled with carbon dioxide gas, or with Erbium, the crystal through which the beam passes. Experts regard this treatment with the carbon dioxide laser as a high standard to resurface the skin.

Chemical Peels

Containing higher concentrations of salicylic acid, approximately 20-30 percent, than the products more commonly used by consumers, which is usually, 0.5-2 percent, these higher concentrated peels will unclog pores, clear acne and even improve the look of brown spots.

Punch Techniques

Another common means of removal is called punch excision, typically used for ice pick scars. The scar is punched out of the skin with a biopsy punch instrument that looks a little like an apple corer. This leaves a tiny cylindrical hole. Depending on its size and location, the cavity is then either closed with a small suture, or filled in with what is known as a punch graft, a plug of skin taken from behind the patient’s ear.

Subcision

This common method is usually for large, non-distensible scars. Subcision is performed by inserting a needle under the scar and with a back and forth movement, cuts the fibrous strands of collagen holding it down. For some scars, this method can be quite useful. However, there can be a substantial amount of bruising, and can take time to heal.

Although these methods will work for treating acne scars, you could choose a simpler method that is less invasive, no costly procedures, or visits to a salon or doctor’s office, and will give you great results a lot faster, helping you with your imperfections and acne scars.

Learn more about removing acne scars. Stop by Kim Hartley’s site where you can find out all about acne scar products and what it can do for you.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 at 7:19 am and is filed under Acne. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.