What Are the Treatments for Deep Acne Scar?
Living with acne scars is not easy, especially if the scars are deeply embedded into the skin. While it's unlikely you'll get rid of scars completely, there are treatments available that reduce the look of acne scars and in some cases, can remove or fill them to give the skin a more even and balanced texture. Does this Spark an idea?
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Chemical Peels
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Chemical peels are usually used on milder forms of acne scars, but they can be a good place to start to even the skin's texture and remove impurities. A standard chemical peel involves the application of an acid of mild to moderate strength to the skin, letting it sit, then removing it. This acid removes the top layer of skin and reveals healthier, smoother skin beneath. This works well for smoothing the edges of deep acne scars and fading red marks left behind by acne.
Laser Resurfacing
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Laser resurfacing burns off the top layer of your skin to reveal healthier skin beneath. Either the erbium (or YAG) laser or the CO2 laser is used. Both bring a smoother texture to the skin, but they don't penetrate deep enough to remove deeply seated scars. Laser resurfacing can also cause permanent pigment changes in those with darker skin, so that must be taken into consideration.
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Microdermabrasion
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Microdermabrasion and dermabrasion are used to remove the outer layers of skin so that new skin cells will grow and fill in pitted acne scars. Microdermabrasion is basically just a milder form of a dermabrasion and can be done in an outpatient setting. Dermabrasion, however, is very harsh and involves extreme exfoliation, which can require a more significant recovery time. The procedure itself involves numbing the area to be treated and then using a tool that looks very much like a mini sander, which is run across the face. The skin will be very sensitive and sore following treatment and requires care with creams and protection from light so that new scars don't form.
Fillers
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For wide scars that cover a significant area, filler treatments can be used. A variety of substances are used as fillers to effectively fill in depressions in the skin caused by acne scars. Some of these substances include collagen, Restylane, Cosmoderm, Fasciian and Cymetra. Sometimes fat from one area on a patient's body is transplanted into the acne scar. The only real problem with this method of treatment is how temporary it is, providing desired results for only six months or so.
Subcision
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Subcision is another form of acne scar treatment that aims to stimulate new tissue growth and help the scar heal on its own. The area beneath the scar is infiltrated with a needle to help break out the scar tissue that pulls the top layer of skin or epidermis tight against the other layers of skin thus creating a scar. This also boosts collagen production, which keeps skin plump and youthful.
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