Learn How To Remove Acne Scars
Today, there are prescription medications for everything, along with revolutionary treatments, and home remedies that can be made at home to help with acne scarring so it makes sense that people with this type of skin condition would feel overwhelmed. Of course, the way in which medications, treatments, and remedies work depends on the person but instead of feeling daunted by the task of choosing the right remedy, someone with acne scarring needs to know that many of these solutions are not only highly effective but also safe.
Choosing the right solution would be easier once a person understands not only the different categories of acne scarring but also types. From the perspective of the person who struggles with acne breakouts and scarring, key information provides hope of living without any level of scarring. In addition, understanding categories and types would help with the process of choosing the most effective acne scar treatment available.
A doctor with expertise in acne scarring should be consulted if a person has concerns or needs to get answers to questions.
Helpful Acne Scarring Information
Learning about the different categories of acne scarring would be the first step before considering treatments. Within the two categories of acne scarring are several actual types. The two categories of acne scarring include raised and depressed.
o Raised – Typically, these scars would appear on the outer skin’s surface but unfortunately, not only can they spread, they can become painful and itch. Because of this, raised acne scars become more and more visible as time passes.
o Depressed – In this case, there would be depressions on the skin of varying degrees. The problem is that indentions for scarring of this type will become worse as a person ages.
Different Kinds of Acne Scars
Understanding all the types of scars that are within these two categories are also important to understand. Hypertrophic and Keloid scars are raised scar types while Rolling, Icepick, and Boxcar are depressed scar types.
o Hypertrophic – Acne scarring of this type are found within the wound’s margin. Initially, these scars are red although they do fade over time.
o Keloid – Of all acne scars, this is one of the more challenging for a variety of reasons. For one thing, Keloid scars actually continue to grow even after the acne outbreak has subsided. In this case, the skin is smooth with a purple or pink color but these scars are large and thick. While Keloid scars can affect people of all ethnic groups, visibility is increased in African Americans, Asians, and Latino’s. Older scars of this kind are very hard to treat or remove while newer Keloid scars can be treated relatively well.
o Icepick – This type of depressed acne scar involves deeply pitted skin.
o Rolling – Scars of this kind have a wavy appearance although they also have texture.
o Boxcar – Unlike other scarring, this type creates what looks like oversized pores.
Depending on the category, type, and severity of scars, treatment would be determined. Along with the, the age of the scar but also the individual would dictate the kind and length of treatment to achieve success. The following information covers some of the more beneficial treatments for the two different categories already mentioned.
Raised Acne Scar Treatments
o Injections – In this case, corticosteroids are injected into raised scars on a flat surface of skin with what are formally known as intralesional injections. When successful, these injections would make the scars smoother and the size smaller. For denser scars, interferon injections are the chosen treatment, which makes the texture smoother. In most cases, it takes several injections over several weeks, after which time the scar’s appearance would improve.
o Surgery – Although not anything major, one solution how to remove acne scars is with outpatient surgery. For Hypertrophic scars, surgery usually produces quick and favorable results whereas for Keloid acne scars, two types of surgery are usually performed to include scar removal and acne surgeries. The biggest issue with Keloid scars is that not only can they come back but they do in about 45% of cases.
o Pressure – As pressure is applied with a special garment or device worn, the texture of Keloid scars could become smoother.
o Radiation – Although one of the newer treatments for raised scars, radiation has shown to work amazingly well.
o Laser Therapy – In the discussion of how to remove acne scars, laser treatments have become all the rage for a variety of uses because they work. To reduce symptoms of acne scars such as pain, itching, rough texture, and discoloration, Pulsed Dye Laser or PDL is used for darker skinned people while Intense Pulsed Laser or IPL is for lighter skinned people.
o Cryotherapy – This treatment actually freezes the acne scar, causing the connected tissue to die and the scar to come off. For raised scars, not only do corticosteroid injections work, but cryotherapy has also been successful.
o Topical Solutions – Of all treatments for scars, Tretinoin added to topical creams, lotions, or gels is great for reducing the size of the scar, pain, discoloration, and itching.
Treatment Options for Depressed Acne Scars
o Surgery – Although more drastic, there are times when the best treatment for depressed acne scarring comes with surgery. To reduce the size of large and deep scars, surgery would be performed using the best procedure while the patient is under light sedation. Usually, following the surgery and healing period, laser treatments are used to reduce the size of scars further.
o Laser Resurfacing – Of all scar treatments, this one works great for depressed scars regardless of type although people with Icepick or boxcar scarring seem to have the best outcome.
o Fillers – Due to fillers being so effective, this is a great option for acne scars. Along with quick transformation, fillers do not require a person to go through any type of recovery. To achieve the best results, different types of fillers are used although when a person’s own body fat is extracted and then injected, as well as Polymethylmethacrylate or hyaluronic acid into the scarred area, results would be permanent.
o Chemical Peels – With this treatment a person would need to undergo maintenance but for depressed scars, chemical peels reach deep into the skin to produce great results.
o Microdermabrasion – For this, the top layer of skin is removed although the person would experience no pain. After microdermabrasion and healing, mild scars would virtually disappear.
If your acne scars are minor in appearance you may also want to look at some of the top home remedies for acne scars. Some acne scarring is minor compared to the deeper scars and respond well with acne scar home remedies. Some individuals may opt to try the less invassive and less expensive home remedies for acne scars before implementing actual medical procedures.