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Thursday 12 May 2011

Scarring From Acne: The Cure Dilemma

Scarring from acne is a far worse problem than curing acne itself. scars in general take a very long time to heal and in some cases, do not go away at all. This can be very frustrating specially when dealing with scars on your face.

In order to cure scarring from acne, it will be very helpful to identify the various types of scarring that may result when the acne is healed.

Ice Pick scars. This is a common type of acne scarring, which is characterized by deep pits that are usually less than 2mm across. It extends into the skin, making the skin surface look as if it had been punctured by an ice pick.

Boxcar. This angular type of scarring from acne has vertical edges, and looks like scars left from chicken pox. This type of scar can be shallow or deep and is more commonly found on the temples and cheeks.

Rolling scars. Caused by damage under the surface of the skin, this scar tends to be wide and shallow and gives the skin a wave-like appearance.

Hyperthropic scars. This scarring from acne is commonly found on the back and chest (can also appear on the face and neck). It is raised and lumpy in appearance and is often a result of severe acne lesions like cysts or nodules.

How To Treat Early acne scars

Post-inflammatory changes from acne breakouts are part of the skin's healing process. There are certain practices and medications that can help facilitate a faster and effective healing process.

The right dosage of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Beta-Hydroxy Acid (BHA) that contain the correct concentrations and at the appropriate pH level also help's the skin's healing process. Applied with a gauze or cotton ball then neutralized or washed off, this light chemical peel will exfoliate the skin, thus removing the surface layer. Medium and deep chemical peels are also available for severe cases.

Laser resurfacing can also be done to remove skin so new skin can form in its place. This is a relatively new method and results may vary. Few sessions are required in order to achieve the results that you want.

Skin needling/rolling is done with the help of a 30-gauge needle, tattoo gun with no pigment, or needle-studded roller. It is used to puncture the skin at a controlled depth, which induce trauma that heals with collagen remodeling.

Dermabrasion uses a high-speed diamond or wire wheel or brush to remove skin surface, thus providing removal of superficial scars and also help reduce deeper scars. Often done 6-8 weeks after surgical scar removal procedure to smooth out the skin surface.