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Acne Scar Removal
People who have been left with acne scars can find hope in procedures
recommended by dermatologists. There are several methods of removal
or smoothing of the scars depending on age, health condition and severity.
Scarring is usually caused by a chronic condition of acne. Ice pick
scarring is the most prevalent. It appears like rumpled plastic in a
crater-like texture and can appear on the face, arms, back and buttocks.
Doctors have found several methods of lessening
the scars or smoothing them:
- Dermabrasion refers to the process whereby a doctor removes top
layers of the skin with an abrasive instrument similar to an electric
sander. This method, and most others, leaves the skin red, but once
it heals the surface appears smoother and healthier.
- Punch grafts is another method for removing scars. These are small
portions of skin that are taken from one part of your body and implanted
where deep holes have occurred. The skin that is transplanted comes
from soft tissue parts of your body such as the ear lobe. Depending
on the amount of skin tissue needed, the new skin may come from the
inner part of the thigh.
- Chemical peels are popular with doctors and patients if the acne
scar is not severe. A chemical is applied to the scarred tissue and
left there for several minutes. The peel removes the top layer of
the skin and allows for regeneration of new and healthier skin.
- Consideration is increasing for collagen injections. If the scars
are not deep, the collagen can be injected below the skin to replace
destroyed or severely damaged pores and cells.
- Doctors are recommending laser treatments more than any other method
due to the lasting effects and minimal recurrence of problem areas.
Laser treatments use a high-energy light to brandish away scars by
carefully moving in small strokes to remove layers of damaged skin.
- Steroid injection directly into the scars may sometimes result in
scar improvement. Doctors combine the steroid injects with surgery
to reduce the size of scarring, but that is in selected patients.
- On specially diagnosed patients, doctors suggest cultured autologous
fibroblasts. This entails collecting living cells from healthy tissues
in your body and growing them in a laboratory until they are ready
to insert into your scars. The tissue is injected into the scar and
once they take hold will continue growing until the hole is filled
and the skin is smoother. There are about three injections made over
a period of time, but if you qualify for the procedure, this method
is long lasting.
- A final solution for your acne scarring is to have major plastic
surgery. There is a warning for this as far as acne is concerned.
When a person has plastic surgery it thins the skin and if acne returns
the person has less layers with which to work. A repeat surgery could
produce unfavorable results.
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There are some alternatives to surgery of any kind. Doctors are recommending
antioxidants that indicate less breakouts and an improvement in healthy
skin texture. Even a change in diet leaning towards antioxidant foods
has been found to show improvements in acne control. Foods containing
major doses of antioxidants include, tomatoes, green leafy vegetables,
salmon, berries, with no sugar added (sugar substitute is acceptable).
Some doctors say that avoiding carbohydrates and sugar helps to rid
the body of toxins.
Are you a candidate for removal of scars?
The first thing your doctor is going to check when you decide to remove
your scars is your health. You cannot have any active diseases and in
some cases pre-existing conditions may prevent further investigation
into procedures.
Should you qualify and during this period experience an outbreak or
flare-up, your doctor may change your scheduled treatment until such
time as the infections are no longer present or until the possibility
of contaminating other parts of your body are under control. In the
case of active acne, your doctor will prescribe medications for pre-treatment
preparation.
Topical applications are an alternative.
There are a few over the counter applications that help remove scars
if they are mild. There are peels available and UV sun lamps just to
name a few. Retin A is also good for healing.
Doctors call attention to the fact that scars usually cannot be removed
completely. An acne patient will not return to the skin they had as
a baby. However, treatments will make the scarring substantially less
obvious.
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