Acne Scars . . .
Acne scar laser surgery is often recommended, and very often first thought of. Lasers using varied wave length and intensity may be used to resculpture the damage and reduce the redness of skin around healed acne sites. Different lasers are used, depending on the results desired. Skin tissue may actually be completely removed with lasers such as the carbon dioxide laser. In some cases, a single treatment will get permanent results. However, because the skin is subjected to high energy bursts, there is often some redness for several months. One of the downsides with treatment of very deep scarring is that the pigmentation (color) of the skin can be altered, particularly with darker skinned patients.
Acne scar laser treatment has also been trialled in recent times with a related form of skin disease called Acne Inversa. Acne Inversa is caused by sweat gland inflammation, and is a chronic condition characterized by inflamed abscesses in the groin and armpits, and very occasionally on the scalp. Although, the standard acne treatment of oral antibiotics often helps to control this condition, the scarring resulting from the abscesses can be severe enough to actually limit movement. Often cortisone injections are the first treatment tried, but unfortunately this is not always successful. Laser treatment may offer a less invasive treatment than full surgery, and maybe, together with medications such as Isotretinion, acne scars may be a thing of the past for these patients.
Surgery to remove acne scarring includes a type of face-lift. If the scars are shallow, but numerous, then a minor facelift could minimise the appearance of the scarring. There are also other procedures that can be very beneficial, but each depends on the actual type and extent of damage, so a consultation with a plastic surgeon is necessary to establish the most appropriate treatment for each individual.
Cryotherapy which uses repeated freezing to encourage gentle shrinking of scar tissue is another option in some cases.
Dermabrasion is a procedure that can be used to remove acne scars. It involves a controlled surgical scraping of the top layers of the skin to give a smoother appearance. It is most effective if the acne scarring is not too deep. It is not recommended for Asian or darker-skinned people as they may experience permanent discolouration or blotchiness. People with freckles on their skin should avoid dermabrasion over smaller areas, as they will lose their freckles only in the treated area. People who suffer allergic rashes or skin reactions are also advised against this treatment.
Chemical Peeling is a process whereby chemicals such as lactic acid, salicylic acids, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), are applied to the skin for a period of time, and when removed take the top layers of skin with them.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatments involve exposure to very bright light on the treatment area to remove hyperpigmentations and improve skin's elastin.
Topical Medications may include tretinoin (the main ingredient in Retin A), alpha hydroxy acids, hydroquinone, vitamin C serums, etc.
Injectable Fillers are used for treatment of scarring which is hollow and has not responded t other treatments. These fillers, which could be eiher hyaluronic acid, collagen, or a synthetic product, are injected into the acne scar both to fill out the hollow area and to trigger new collagen formation.
Of course, prevention is much more effective than treatment, and most treatment is aimed at stopping the development of cystic acne which is the most likely cause of acne scarring. If you are in the early stages of having acne, please ensure you explore all avenues of treatment possible, to give yourself the best chance of avoiding those distressing acne scars in the first place.
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