Acne Scarring - What Are My Treatment Options?

 Acne Scarring can have serious effects on a person's self-image and emotional state. Fortunately there have been significant advances in the treatment of acne-related scarring in recent years. It is important to note that nothing will completely heal the majority of scars.

Laser Therapy - Using lasers to treat scars is a new technology, but is one of the most promising options for severe scarring. The lasers remove the scarred skin, and encourage growth of new skin in its place. After treatment, the skin will be pink and swollen for a week or so. During this time, bandages need to be kept over the skin to prevent infection. It takes months for the skin to return to normal, but most people will see less noticeable scars and smoother skin. Laser scar treatment can be quite expensive, however.

Surgical Therapy (Dermabrasion) - This form of scar treatment uses a motorized burr, which usually contains diamond particles. Diamonds are very strong abrasives when in a powder-form. A scab will form once the procedure is completed. Once the wound is healed, a smooth pink layer of new skin will appear. Multiple treatments are often necessary, and each one can cost $1500.

Creams and Gels - There are many topical treatments that claim to reduce the appearance of scars. Some contain Vitamin E and other nutrients. Mederma is a popular brand name. Many people report that it can improve scars in as little as 8 weeks for new scars, or 6 months for older scars. Results with topical ointments like this will vary from person to person.

Collagen Injection - This is a temporary fix, where the patient's own body fat or collagen is injected into the scar site. This works well for some people with deep-pitted scars. The material injected serves to raise the skin, and reduce the pitted appearance, and wrinkling from the scar. However, this procedure needs to be repeated every 6 months and can be expensive.

Read more at www.adult-acne.org.

About the author:

Adam Sharp writes about acne at his website, http://www.adult-acne.org.

 Adam Sharp

More Articles 

Acne Cannot Be Cured but it can Be Resolved with a Home Remedy for Acne - Keith Forster
Acne is a skin disorder for which medical science has not yet developed any treatment for complete cure. However, there are quite a number of acne treatments and medications available in the market. Also, many acne sufferers exercise the use of...

Acne Scar Treatment and Removal - Rita Lambros Segur M H
Beautiful skin, without acne scars, is every woman's dream (and some men's too). But it seems only a small fortunate group with good genes ever attain it. But always remember that skin is a reflection of one's health and is the largest organ in the...

Using Acne Cleansers To Control Your Acne - Jamie Snodgrass
Using Acne Cleansers To Control Your Acne Before getting into acne control, let us know how it is formed. Oil called sebum is secreted normally from hair follicles which travel up to the pores where it lubricates and protects the skin....

Acne and Adolescents - Tim Gorman
It’s hard enough to be a teenager but if your teen is suffering from acne and adolescence at the same time you may have some questions. Acne and adolescence may go hand-in-hand but there are ways to improve the situation. If acne and adolescence...

About Adult Acne - Amanda Baker
Acne is often thought of as a teenage dilemma, and while it is true that acne appears most often during the teenage years, it is arguably just as true that there are a growing number of individuals that suffer from adult acne. Adults in...

Factors That Do Not Cause Acne - Paul
The following are the factors, which are not correlated to acne development even if a number of people perceive it to be so: 1. Heredity: If the parents have undergone the acne problem, it does not affect the skin texture of the children....

How Do Acne Treatment Products Work? - Jeff Little
There are many solutions and acne treatment products on the market. Each is provides unique services to the acne sufferer; however, very few people who purchase acne treatment products know what they actually do--and most don't care, as long...

5 Tips for getting the best acne treatment from your doctor - Peter Vine
Doctors are extremely busy people that are often overworked, underpaid and sometimes harassed by patients that have little to complain about. However I believe they genuinely want to help their patients, and will take your acne condition...

Treatment for Acne Scars - 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...

"Acne Info 101" - Steve Williams
If you think you're alone in the struggle to ward off acne, don't fret. It seems that while not everyone suffers from it severely, many-around 85% of people, go through it at some point in their life. Breakouts vary from person to person. So,...