Acne Scar Reduction
Whether you had acne many years ago and are still suffering from scars on your face, or you are continuing to have breakouts and blemishes that cause scarring, you may want to discuss acne scar treatment with your dermatologist. Although there are home remedies available to diminish mild acne scars, if you suffer from moderate or severe acne scars, you may need a harsher regimen like laser treatment, chemical peels, dermabrasion or microdermabrasion.
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Exfoliation Treatments
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Exfoliation treatments are inexpensive, can be done at home and work as a first defense for mild acne scars. You can purchase facial exfoliants at your local drugstore or make your own by combining one part coarse kosher salt and one part tea tree oil in a plastic container and applying a handful to your face once daily. Whether you are using a store-bought or homemade exfoliant, massage the exfoliant into your skin with your fingertips for approximately 3 minutes once a day. You may see some redness on your skin as well as the texture of your skin appearing smoother.
Laser Treatments
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Laser treatments are used for moderate to severe acne, and the procedure is done in a dermatologist's office. There are two types of laser treatments available: ablative, or resurfacing lasers, and non-ablative lasers. Resurfacing lasers remove the epidermis, or the top layer of skin, which requires up to a year of healing time. Non-ablative lasers are newer technology, and they work by heating the collagen underneath the top layer of the epidermis. Heating the collagen tightens it, leading to less scars and quicker healing time.
Dermabrasion and Chemical Peels
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Dermabrasion has been mostly discontinued in favor of microdermabrasion. Dermabrasion is a procedure where a small, rotating blade is used to scrape away the epidermis. Because this can lead to further scarring and requires months of healing time, a less harsh version called microdermabrasion is a more popular option, although it does not typically work for moderate to severe acne scarring. Chemical peels, however, work on mild and moderate acne scars. Chemical peels involve the dermatologist placing an acidic liquid or lotion on the face in order to penetrate the skin and allow it to re-heal. Chemical peels can be customized to the user because the acidic lotions vary in potency. The more potent the acid is, the more the acid will penetrate the skin, which will resurface itself as it heals.
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