Acne Treatment 101

Advanced Acne Treatment Options

The appearance of unsightly acne lesions or grains is not the only potential problem with the disease, unfortunately. In some cases, it is possible for acne to leave permanent scars.

Some conditions may seem scars that are not. Macular and other strokes can occur even after it is acne. Redness may persist for up to one year. But these are not true scars. They are not permanent. True scars are a permanent change in the tissues of the skin produced by the healing process, mainly the creation of fibrous tissue. As white blood cells attack bacteria that can cause changes in skin cells in the surrounding area. This is a way to become permanent scars.

also may not be confined to areas beneath the surface.

Calls icepick scars are small pinhole forming on the surface of the skin. They look as if the skin has been poked with an icepick, hence its name. They are usually too deep to be treated with simple dermabrasion or laser resurfacing.

Boxcar scars are similar, except that tend to be more horizontal at the bottom, rather than reduce to a standstill as icepick scars. Since they are often smaller than can sometimes be treated with techniques resurfacing.

keloid scars are firm and grow beyond the site of injury. They are characterized by an overproduction of collagen. They often result in a bright pink or red scar.

Prevention is the best option, of course. But when this is not possible, there are a number of standard treatments.

Dermabrasion Dermabrasion is used to treat a wide range of skin conditions, including mild to moderate acne scars. A local anesthetic is given and the professional using a high speed brush to remove layers of skin. The skin regenerates naturally, the less scar in many cases. When it is not removed, is often less obvious. A variation of the technique is known as microdermabrasion. Instead of a high speed brush, aluminum oxide crystals move quickly through a kind of vacuum hose. They carry away skin cells as being collected. It is less invasive or traumatic for the skin, but the results may therefore be less.

lasers laser treatment can be effective in some patients. Used together, they can change the shape and size of the scars. Laser CO2 is often used to remove some tissue. Sometimes a single treatment is sufficient, but the redness may persist for several weeks afterwards. The lasers work in this type of treatment, mainly by burning. Surgery

a technique called 'punching' can be used to eliminate some icepick scars. The scar is eliminated until the subcutaneous fat and the resulting hole repaired. The repair can be done with sutures or a small skin graft.

Subcisions may be performed. This is actually lifting the scar tissue unscarred outside the skin. The results are mixed, but the technique can be effective.

Drugs Keloids not respond well to these mechanical techniques, as the alteration of the skin often only provokes the formation of keloids. Sometimes a topical retinoid applies. In other cases, steroid-type drugs are injected directly into the skin around the scar. They are difficult to treat by all means and results vary from person to person.

Whatever the method of treatment you're looking for, it is important to consult a professional for the correct diagnosis. That is the best way to find information on all available alternatives and their potential risks and benefits.