Options for Acne Scar Removal
There are several acne scar removal methods available to people who suffer from the marks left by severe types of pimples or acne. Scars from acne can vary in type and severity level and each has its own recommended treatment. For those seeking to eradicate their scars, here is a look at the options available.
Acne scar removal can be topical, surgical or laser-treated. For mild scars - or those that do not have much height - topical ointments such as retinoic acid creams are often recommended. The application of these topical formulas for a period of time is often enough to remove scars that are faint and have no height or mass. For more severe forms, a more advanced method might be needed to eradicate the marks.
Making the decision to remove scars using surgical or laser should be done with the help of a skin expert. Some people have negative reactions to such treatments that sometimes, it is more advisable to leave the scars be. People who have keloids, for example, are usually advised not to seek surgical or laser treatment since their skin might react to the process by forming other keloids. Allergic reactions should also be considered when choosing scar treatment methods.
For those whose skin can take the intensity of surgical or laser procedures, there are a number of options that they can explore. One of these is punch excision. It is a form of surgery whereby the scar is removed up to the subcutaneous fat layer. This procedure often leaves a hole in the skin, which is then repaired by skin grafting.
Another option is collagen injection whereby collagen is injected into the skin to fill up the pits created by the scars. A bit similar to collagen injection is the process called autologous fat transfer. This works by taking fat out of the other parts of a person's body and injected into the area where scars have created deep holes or craters. This process is commonly used for depressed-type of scars and the aim is to elevate the depressed skin.
Other options available are dermabrasion, a process that aims to modify the shape or appearance of the scar through the removal of surface skin; laser treatment, which uses laser to change the contour of the scar tissue; and injection of steroid drugs, a process more commonly used on keloids since these types of scars cannot be surgically treated.
Acne scar removal methods vary in their purpose and in the type of scars that they can eradicate. Before choosing a treatment option, a patient should first have a detailed discussion with an expert to avoid any potential risk to his or her health.
