Acne scars serve as a long term reminder of what for most is a short term problem. Scar treatment is dependent on first controlling the active acne and then helping to improve the tell tale signs that things have happened. While acne scars may not be completely erased, they can most certainly be improved. The methods of improvement vary and often it takes a team approach using multiple modalities of treatment to obtain the best results possible.
Once active acne is controlled, attention can be turned toward helping acne scarring. Unfortunately acne scars are a difficult problem and one of the best treatments possible is preventing the scarring from occuring. For some patients, adolescent acne outbreaks first occur during adulthood, particularly for pregnant women.
Though there are many options for treating acne scars, there is not one treatment that works for every patient. The options are in some cases limited by skin color, skin type, type of scarring, and health conditions of the patient. Patients with lighter skin generally have more options than patients with darker skin though everyone can see improvement.
Skin resurfacing is an excellent choice for patients suffering from acne scars with fair skin. For patients with Fitzpatrick class I-III skin types, dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, and deep chemical peels can all improve acne scars. In some patients, simply fading the redness surrounding the scars is a fairly easy option and can improve scarring tremendously.
Patients with deeper scars will need additional options. Phenol chemical peels, carbone dioxide laser resurfacing, or dermabrasion/dermasanding may be necessary. Trading a scar for a smaller line, surgical excision can be undertaken for certain scars. This can later be refined with other rejuvenation techniques. Punch grafting affords a simple method for treating multiple scars. A circular punch is used to create an incision around an acne scar. The scar is then allowed to heal and the resulting skin irregularity is smoothed. Subcision involved releasing the tethering attachments underneath the scar and then filling the space with either a temporary filler or a patient's own fat to prevent the scar from reforming when it heals.
Once active acne is controlled, attention can be turned toward helping acne scarring. Unfortunately acne scars are a difficult problem and one of the best treatments possible is preventing the scarring from occuring. For some patients, adolescent acne outbreaks first occur during adulthood, particularly for pregnant women.
Though there are many options for treating acne scars, there is not one treatment that works for every patient. The options are in some cases limited by skin color, skin type, type of scarring, and health conditions of the patient. Patients with lighter skin generally have more options than patients with darker skin though everyone can see improvement.
Skin resurfacing is an excellent choice for patients suffering from acne scars with fair skin. For patients with Fitzpatrick class I-III skin types, dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, and deep chemical peels can all improve acne scars. In some patients, simply fading the redness surrounding the scars is a fairly easy option and can improve scarring tremendously.
Patients with deeper scars will need additional options. Phenol chemical peels, carbone dioxide laser resurfacing, or dermabrasion/dermasanding may be necessary. Trading a scar for a smaller line, surgical excision can be undertaken for certain scars. This can later be refined with other rejuvenation techniques. Punch grafting affords a simple method for treating multiple scars. A circular punch is used to create an incision around an acne scar. The scar is then allowed to heal and the resulting skin irregularity is smoothed. Subcision involved releasing the tethering attachments underneath the scar and then filling the space with either a temporary filler or a patient's own fat to prevent the scar from reforming when it heals.
About the Author:
Dr. Verret is a facial plastic surgeon in the north Dallas suburb of Plano, Texas. For more information about cosmetic surgery books or blepharoplasty Dallas visit Dr. Verret online or call for a consultation 972.608.0100.
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