Acne Scar Removal Surgery
In severe cases of acne there is a great risk of scarring. The tendency to pick at your acne leaves you even more vulnerable to scars.
Acne scar removal surgery can consist of the following treatments, laser surgery, fractional acne scar treatment, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, punch techniques, injections, subcision, and even topical solutions.
Laser surgery to remove acne scars has been used for many years, the risks of using such treatment includes, a longer period of healing, white spots on the skin, and scarring from the laser. There are now, new nonablative lasers that leave no scarring because they do not destroy the top layer of skin like other lasers used.
Fractional acne scar treatment is also known as fractional resurfacing. This type of treatment uses a laser to resurface the top layer of the skin. How it works is that the laser creates a wavelength that is highly absorbed in water and can create vertical holes within the skin tissue, and then these holes fill up as new skin is generated.
Microdermabrasion refers to a number of techniques and instruments to remove the very thin layer of protective cells on the surface of your skin. This treatment exfoliates the skin, improving the skin’s texture, and areas of dark spots become lighter. While this treatment works for surface scars, it will take more aggressive treatment for scars that go deep under the skin.
Chemical peels refer to a number of chemical solutions placed on the skin. Some of these can be very effective in removing acne scars. A chemical peel involves the application of a chemical solution applied to the skin which is left on for a certain amount of time. The chemical solution then dissolves skin tissue, causing the growth of new skin tissue to take its place. This process can improve the texture and surface of your skin. When the chemical is removed, old, dead skin cells are then sloughed away revealing the new skin underneath.
The Punch Technique is used for deep acne scarring, known also as ice pick scars. This treatment involves the actual removal of the scar itself. The hole is then sutured or tissue is replaced. There are three punch techniques in practice. Punch Excision, Punch Excision with Skin Grafting, and Punch Elevation.
Injections are used to plump up areas where the scar has sunk down making a depression in the skin. Derma fillers are used to raise these areas, leveling out the skin’s surface. While this is an effective treatment, it is one that has to be done repeatedly, and can be quite costly. Derma fillers contain collagen fibers, and even fatty tissue.
Topical treatments with a dermatologist include creams, lotions, and gels. These all contain alpha-hydroxy and Retin-A. These are used to help remove old skin cells, thus causing the regeneration of new skin to appear. This treatment improves the surface texture of the skin, and causes dark spots to lighten. The downside of using any products like Retin-A, or alpha-hydroxy is that you must stay out of the sun or use a good sun screen as your skin becomes more sensitive to the sun’s rays.
Each of these acne scar removal surgeries can be fully discussed with your dermatologist to determine which technique would work best for you.
