Acne Scars

Although not physically painful, acne scarring can lower a person's self image and cause emotional damage. The following is a small sampling of scar treatment options available today. As science advances, more treatments will inevitably become available.

It is important to note that although these procedures/agents may help in the treatment of acne scarring, no product or procedure can take away 100% of acne scars.

Topical Agents

MedermaR, a topical gel, was created for the express purpose of ameliorating the appearance of scars. Used for burns, surgeries and stretch marks, MedermaR can also aid in the decrease of acne scars. For new scars, the gel is massaged into the skin three times daily for eight weeks, or, for old scars, it is massaged in three times daily for three to six months. Results vary, but most patients report decreased scar depth and pigmentation.

Laser Therapy

Laser resurfacing uses a CO2 or erbium laser to remove old, scarred skin, leaving fresh, unscarred skin in its place. The lasers are well controlled in how deep they penetrate, and therefore, this type of treatment is seen as safer than other surgical methods.

After the procedure, the patient's face is red and swollen for roughly one week. Wet bandages need to be kept on the face at all times to decrease infection and redness. The skin remains pink for up to one year after the procedure. After the first six months to a year, the skin is more soft, and smooth, and the scars are less noticeable.

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion, a form of surgical scraping, intensely exfoliates acne plagued skin. The surgeon scrapes off the most external layer of skin with a motorized burr containing diamond particles. With the outer layers removed, the acne scars are gone or at least diminished. After the procedure, a scab forms over the treated portion of the face, and an ointment is prescribed for facial use. As the scab falls off, a new layer of pink, fresh skin is revealed. This procedure, though effective, can cost up to $1500 per treatment. Some physicians recommend at least three treatments for optimum results.

Augmentation

Augmentation, or collagen injection, is performed by injecting fat or collagen from a patient's own body into areas where there is a deep scar. The collagen or fat go under the scar and puff it up to the normal skin level, thus decreasing the severity of scar depth. This procedure requires no recovery time, but the results are temporary. Collagen injections often have to be repeated every six months.