Treatment for Acne Scars

Face the facts and be better prepared. That's the best way to handle acne - whether or not you're already suffering from the condition, whether or not you're prone to it by age, diet, or heredity. Of course, it still holds true that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure".

But what if all this is now in the past and what you're looking at is a future where you see acne scars on the face reflected in the mirror? You know those little pits and craters that are so accurately called "ice pick" scars? Will you ever get your clear skin back after acne has run its devastating course across your face?

Weep not. There are acne treatments that dermatologists and skin care experts can recommend that can either reduce the level of risk of permanent scarring or decrease the appearance of the scar left by acne. You need to go and find out what will work best for you. Here's a quick list of possibilities to consider: * Dermabrasion - This type of treatment is used to remove skin imperfections and small scars, including those sustained from minor surgery and from mild acne. The procedure involves rubbing the skin surface with an abrasive metal instrument to remove the first two layers of the skin damaged by scars.


 * Chemical Peel - This type of treatment is used for skin that has been damaged by exposure to the sun, irregular skin pigmentation and surface scars. A chemical is applied to the skin to remove the top layer. Then the skin is allowed to heal and replenish itself naturally, resulting in a new layer of unblemished skin. * Laser Resurfacing - This is used to remove scars and tiny wrinkles on the skin. A beam of laser light is directed at the specific spot on the skin to burn away the problem area and allow new skin cells to regenerate in its place.


 * Collagen Injection - This treatment is used for scars that leave craters or tiny depressions in the skin. Cow collagen is injected beneath the surface of the skin to replace the natural collagen that was lost. It is also used for wrinkles that appear on the body as a result of aging, and other scars on the skin.


 * Autologous Fat Transfer - This type of treatment is used for more severe scars, particularly those which are buried deep into the skin tissue and cannot be removed or erased by peeling off the layers of skin. The procedure involves taking fat from another part of the body and injecting it into the scar which appears as a crater or hole on the skin. This way, the crater will be filled and be even or level with the rest of the skin.


 * Punch Grafts - This procedure is particularly recommended for deep acne scars and other skin scars from burns or other wounds. It involves punching a hole into the skin to remove the scar tissue, then replacing it with scar-free skin. The procedure is rather delicate and may require some hospital stay.

There may be other minor procedures that your dermatologist or skin consultant would recommend. Whatever you go for, though, the first thing to remember is to get the facts so that you can make an informed choice.

About the Author

Lance writes about various topics in his spare time. One of his websites is http://pillowspeakers.net which reviews the Cozy Tunes speaker pillow.