Skin – What Types of Cosmetic Treatments Help Acne Scarring?
Acne is a skin condition that affects millions of people, including adolescents and adults. It can blemish the skin severely, lead to scarring and pitting on the skin. With the growth of cosmetic surgery centers that offer services such as face lifts, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation and skin resurfacing, there are now several cosmetic surgery treatments available today to help people with severe scarring resulting from acne.
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Types of Acne Scarring
There are several types of acne scarring that occur on the face. Pits in the skin are sometimes also called “ice pick” scars and they may be either shallow or deep. They have a jagged appearance and may be soft or hard. These scars may be resistant to treatment.
Soft scars are soft to the touch and may merge into the skin. They are usually circular or linear in appearance.
Keloids are scars that are produced when the skin over reacts and there is an overgrowth of skin. Growth of keloids as a reaction to acne may run in families.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Lasers are the latest surgical tool that has been introduced to assist with acne treatment of scarring. Using a focused laser beam, the cosmetic surgeon is able to determine the depth that the laser penetrates the facial skin, vaporizing the blemishes and scars. After the treatment, the cosmetic surgeon will cover the treated area with a protective gel and bandage. After a few weeks, pink new skin will appear that is smoother and more youthful appearing.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is one of the most effective acne treatments to treat scarring. Using a fine surgical instrument, the cosmetic surgeon sands away scarred facial tissue to even it with the existing skin, revealing new layers of skin that are not scarred. Dermabrasion is done under local anesthetic at a cosmetic surgeon’s office or cosmetic surgery center. Depending on the depth and type of acne scarring, several treatments may be required.
Micro Dermabrasion
Micro dermabrasion has been used for many years as an acme treatment for scarring that is the result of severe acne. Using a cosmetic surgical instrument that sands the old skin away, the cosmetic surgeon resurfaces the skin to reveal new layers, removing acne scars, fine wrinkles and blotches or dark spots on the skin. Micro dermabrasion takes several days for recovery and within a few weeks, new skin begins to develop, creating a new smoother young appearance.
Collagen Injections
Another acne treatment for treating facial scars that are the result of acne is collagen injections. For scars that are deep, collagen is injected to bring the skin up to an even surface with the rest of facial skin. It may require several treatments over a period of several months to achieve removal or reduction in pitted facial scars.
Which Type of Treatment is Best?
When consulting with a cosmetic surgeon or plastic surgeon to address concerns about the appearance of acne scars, the surgeon may recommend a combination of several different types of treatments. The best type of acne treatment for acne scarring depends on the depth of scarring and the types of scars that appear on the skin.
For the best results, several treatments may be required over a period of several months, slowly revealing new, refreshed youthful appearing skin.
