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Treatment for Acne Scars |
by:
Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, Ph.D, ND, DACBN |
Acne can be very mild, resulting
in a few lone blemishes, or it can be severe when it occurs on
the face, neck, shoulders, chest, and back. Pustules and deeper
cysts occur with very severe acne and scarring may result if the
condition is not cared for properly. These scars may be visible
for a lifetime. Here’s what your can do to prevent these scars
from forming, and treat them if they do develop.
Preventing Acne Scars
Never pick or squeeze acne blemishes. This can lead to the spread
of acne and the development of acne scars. Instead, there are
a number of treatment methods that can be used to care for acne
and prevent the development of scars. Herbs such as chamomile,
lavender, juniper, bergamot, dandelion root, Echinacea, poke root,
witch hazel, and burdock root can be used to reduce toxicity,
improve the skin’s condition and treat acne. Vitamin supplements
can also be helpful as vitamins A, C, E and B6 are vital for healthy
skin. Also, avoid exposing your skin to the sun’s rays. Initially,
sun exposure may dry out an acne blemish, but over time, unprotected
sun exposure can damage the skin and further aggravate problem
acne.
Types of Acne Scars
Medical professionals have developed a acne scarring classification
system that aids in the diagnosis and treatment of many acne scars.
Scars may be classified as ice pick, boxcar, or rolling.
Acne Scars – Ice pick
As their name implies, ice pick acne scars are thin, sharp scars.
The skin looks as though it has been sliced with an ice pick.
These scars are narrow, but deep, extending into the deep dermis
or subcutaneous layer.
Acne Scars - Boxcar
Unlike ice pick scars, boxcar scars do not taper to a point. Instead,
they are round pits that have sharp vertical edges. Skin resurfacing
techniques such as dermabrasion or laser resurfacing may be used
to treat shallow boxcar scars. Deeper scars require full-thickness
treatment techniques.
Acne Scars - Rolling
Rolling scars appear to have a rolling or undulating texture.
They are the result of folds in the skin to the subcutaneous tissue
below. Rolling scars must be treated by breaking up the fibrous
bands that are causing the skin to fold or roll. Subcutaneous
incision is the method most commonly used to treat this condition.
Acne Scar Treatment
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers such as fat, collagen, hyaluronic acid derivatives,
and polytheyl-methacrylate microspheres with collagen can be injected
into acne scars to raise the surface of the skin and give a smoother
look. The injection of dermal fillers does not permanently correct
acne scars. The results are temporary, so further injections are
necessary.
Punch Excision
Deep acne scars such as ice pick and deep boxcar scars can be
treated with the punch excision method. This procedure uses a
punch biopsy tool that looks similar to a round, sharp cookie-cutter.
It comes in diameters ranging from 1.5 mm to 3.5 mm, and the correct
size can be chosen to match the size of the scar. Local anesthesia
is used to remove the scar tissue and suture the edges together.
If a new scar should develop in the old one’s place, it will now
be easier to treat with a skin resurfacing technique.
This technique can also be performed with a skin graft, where
the scarred skin is removed and that area is filled with a skin
graft taken from behind the ear. Some kind of skin resurfacing
technique will still likely be needed to correct any differences
in the skin’s color and texture.
Punch Elevation
This method of surgically correcting acne scars uses the same
punch tool that is used in the punch excision method. It is used
on deep boxcar scars that have sharp edges and normal appearing
bases. With the punch elevation method, the base of the scar is
excised leaving the walls of the scar intact. The excised base
is then sutured to the surface of the skin to fill the void. There
are fewer incidences of color and texture differences with this
technique and less chance of developing another visible scar.
Subcutaneous Incision
Rolling scars can be treated with subcutaneous incision. This
method is used to break up the fibrous bands that cause the skin
to roll or appear undulated. Local anesthesia is inserted under
the skin with a special beveled needle that remains parallel to
the skin’s surface. The needle is then used to gently cut the
fibrous bands with a piston like motion. Bruising is likely to
occur with this method, but it will usually fade in about one
week.
Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing is a popular treatment used to cure many skin
defects. Carbon dioxide and YAG lasers are the two most common
types used for the laser resurfacing of acne scars. Using the
controlled beam of a laser, the top layer of skin is burned to
a precise depth. The skin then heals itself by replacing the lost
skin with new skin.
For more information on acne remedies go to http://www.acne-answers.org.
About the Author
Dr. Group, the founder/CEO and clinical director for the Global
Healing Center, heads a research and development team producing
advanced, new, natural health protocols and products. To learn
more visit http://www.ghchealth.com.
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