Acne Medication and Advice: Acne Scar Removal

Almost everyone experiences acne at some point in his or her life. For some, acne is nothing more than an annoying and sometimes embarrassing rite of passage that occurs during adolescence, when hormone levels surge. However, some folks suffer extreme bouts of acne. Either one of these situations can result in mild or severe acne scarring.

There is several acne scarring treatments available that work to help the scarred area return to a more "normal" appearance. Most acne scars, as in any type of scarring, can almost never be permanently removed.

Today's available treatment options differ considerably in their approach. Remember, what's right for a person will depend on several factors including the type and extent of scarring involved, an evaluation of how the scarring is impacting the person's livelihood and the individual's budget. Before making a decision, it's always advisable to thoroughly discuss treatment options with a dermatologist.

Causes Of Acne Scars

Acne scars result from tissue damage. As with all scars, when tissue is damaged, the body reacts by initiating the repair process and taking steps to protect against infection. The body sends collagen to the damaged area. However, sometimes the body produces too much collagen. When this happens, the excess collagen builds up into a fibrous mass that ends up becoming a smooth and firm acne scar with an irregular shape. Tissue loss is the most common reason for acne scars. Within this category, many different types of scarring exist, including the well-known "ice-pick" scar, depressed scars, soft scars, atrophic macules and others.

Treatment Options

An effective method for most people is injecting collagen into the scar site. However, it is a treatment method that needs to be repeated regularly, about every 3 to 6 months. Once injected under the skin, the collagen puffs out the scar area, making the scar less noticeable.

Another treatment option, called autologus fat transfer, uses a person's own body fat. Basically, fat is taken from another part of the body and injected into the acne scar, causing it to fill out. This option also needs to be repeated, although less frequently, because the fat will begin to absorb back into the skin.

A common treatment for most types of acne scarring is dermabrasion. Performed under local anesthesia, a thin layer of surface skin is removed using a fraise or a brush set on high speed. Removing the surface layer can actually remove some shallow scarring at the surface and it can lessen the depth of deeper scarring. Microdermabrasion also removes the surface skin by using crystals of aluminum oxide that pass through a vacuum.

Another acne scar treatment option uses lasers of various intensity and wavelength that are aimed at the scarring with the goal of changing a scar's shape. Depending on the scar, permanent results can sometimes be achieved, although multiple treatments may be necessary.

Other acne treatment options include skin grafting and skin surgery. However, these are extreme procedures and should be reserved primarily for deep scarring or extreme situations only.