Acne Scars Treatment and Removal: Micro Dermabrasion, Laser, and Chemical Peels

Acne Scars

A pimple or zit often leaves a red mark on the skin after it's gone. For most people, the red mark fades with time. But some cases of acne vulgaris cause permanent scarring such as deep pits or serious discoloration. Acne scar treatments can help to fade, minimize or even eliminate acne scars.

Types of acne scars

There are different types of acne scars that are candidates for treatment (such as laser scar therapy) and scar removal:

• Raised scars - These types of scars are caused by increased tissue formation. They are known as keloids or hypertrophic scars. Lasers can be used on these scars, as can dermabrasion.
• Ice-pick scars - These types of scars can occur anywhere, but are most often found on the face, especially the cheeks. They are small, with deep sides, as if they had been made by an ice-pick. The scar removal method for these types is excision.
• Depressed fibrotic scars - These types of scars are crater-like in appearance. They can vary in depth and width. They are often treated with dermal fillers for scars.

Acne scar treatment methods

Early treatment, with effective acne skin care products, is the best way to prevent acne scars. Once scarring has occurred, there are medical or cosmetic surgical procedures that can help reduce the scars.

• Laser for acne - A cosmetic laser may be used to treat irregular acne scars. During an acne laser procedure, the damaged top layer of skin is removed, leaving skin smoother. Laser procedures can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour. Your skin may be first injected with a local anesthesia in order to numb it. After about a week, you should see an improvement in the way the skin looks. Lasers can sometimes eliminate acne scars on the face, chest and even back acne (bacne). It is important that only a qualified dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon do this type of procedure.

• Chemical peel or microdermabrasion - In a chemical peel, a chemical substance is applied to the skin, which will then peel the outer layers. It is important that only a qualified dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon do this type of procedure. Dermabrasion, which is a form of "sanding down" scars with a rapidly rotating wire brush or other instrument, is sometimes used. Microdermabrasion is a procedure which exfoliates the skin with grains or crystals and doesn't go as deep.
• Fat injections - Another treatment option for deep scars caused by cystic acne is the transfer of fat from another part of the body to the scar. Fat transfer or fat injections can fill in hollowed areas of the skin caused by acne scars.
• Dermal fillers - A doctor may also inject a synthetic filling material under the scar to improve its appearance. Cosmetic fillers for acne scars are a more new acne scar treatment.
• Punch excision - This is a procedure that can be used on ice-pick scars. The scar and surrounding tissue is removed from the skin under local anesthesia, and the edges can be stitched together.

All of these procedures can cause problems. You should ask your physician questions about any cosmetic procedure, and discuss carefully with your doctor all of the pluses and minuses of each procedure. Also remember that cosmetic surgeries such as face-lifts or other facial cosmetic surgeries won't help acne scars.

For less severe scarring, there are prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications that can help to slough off the top layer of skin and improve its appearance. These include:

• Tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova, Avita)
• Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
• Beta-Hydroxy Acids (BHAs)

All three of these can help remove some dead layers of skin. Using lotions that contain AHA's and BHA's is sometimes referred to as micro dermabrasion

Use of these products can cause an improvement in skin over time. It's also important that you avoid further damage of the skin. Make sure you use sun protection including special sun protective clothing when you go outside.

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Updated March 2009

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