Acne Scar Treatment
If it wasn't bad enough to deal with acne, many people are ill
prepared for dealing with acne’s aftermath- scars. Acne not
only plagues its sufferers with unsightly boils and blemishes, but
it also poses the threat of permanently disfiguring the skin with
scars.
Today there are numerous acne remedies and treatments available
that will help prevent the formation of scars. It should be realized
by every sufferer that help is available. However, it is important
to understand that not every treatment has the same effect on all
people. It is important to seek the counsel of your physician or
dermatologist when determining the best course of acne treatment.
Preventing the formation of acne scars by seeking effective treatment
is the best way to treat scars. Unfortunately, there are many people
who already bear the battle wounds of their fight with acne on their
skin. For these people, treatment may not involve reducing the symptoms
of acne, but in treating the remaining impressions this condition
has etched in their skin.
For some, the daily outbreaks caused by acne may have ceased many
years previous, but they are still reminded of the inflammation
they endured every time they pass by a mirror. People agree that
acne scars are unsightly, disfiguring, and can significantly lower
self-esteem.
Today, there are a number of different treatments available for
the reduction of acne scars. There are different types of acne scars,
and each acne scar treatment is geared towards a particular type
of scar. It is also important to realize that after an acne lesion
has healed, the area may remain red for a period of up to six months.
This is commonly referred to as a macule. Though macules are colored
differently from the surrounding skin, and are quite noticeable,
they will heal and will not result in an acne scar.
Like macules, post inflammatory pigmentation is defined by an area
of skin surrounding an acne lesion that is of different color than
the surrounding skin. This is more commonly seen in those who have
darker complexions and the condition may last for up to 18 months,
and is often made worse by repeated exposure to the sun. Chemical
peels have been shown to be an effective means of treating post
inflammatory pigmentation.
When the skin becomes injured (either due to acne or other skin
conditions) and when the skin heals there can be two different types
of scar formations. The first type of scar formation is the result
of an increase in tissue formation. This occurs when collagen is
produced in great amounts and there is an overproduction. When this
occurs the scar formation is called a keloid. Keloids are large
scars that are raised above the surface of the skin.
The other type of acne scars result in a pitting or depression
of the skin. Where as keloid scars are raised, and above the surface
of the skin, these scars are below the skin. These types of acne
scars include Ice Pick Scars, Atrophic Macules, Soft Scars, Depressed
Fibrotic Scars, and Follicular Macular Atrophy. The treatment for
the various types of scars varies, and before treatment is instituted,
you should have a thorough examination provided by a dermatologist.
However, generally speaking, keloid scars are treated with steroids,
silicone, cryotherapy, or surgery. Atrophic scars are generally
treated with laser resurfacing, dermabrasion, and collagen injections.
Ice pick scars are generally treated with dermabrasion, laser, subcision,
and punch grafting.
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