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Treatment
For Acne Scars
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by:
Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, Ph.D, ND, DACBN
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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 for properly. These scars may be
visible for a lifetime. Here’s what your can do to prevent these scars
from forming, and treat them if they do develop.
Preventing Acne Scars
Never pick or squeeze acne blemishes. This can lead to the spread of
acne and the development of acne scars. Instead, there are a number of
treatment methods that can be used to care for acne and prevent the
development of scars. Herbs such as chamomile, lavender, juniper,
bergamot, dandelion root, Echinacea, poke root, witch hazel, and
burdock root can be used to reduce toxicity, improve the skin’s
condition and treat acne. Vitamin supplements can also be helpful as
vitamins A, C, E and B6 are vital for healthy skin. Also, avoid
exposing your skin to the sun’s rays. Initially, sun exposure may dry
out an acne blemish, but over time, unprotected sun exposure can damage
the skin and further aggravate problem acne.
Types of Acne Scars
Medical professionals have developed a acne scarring classification
system that aids in the diagnosis and treatment of many acne scars.
Scars may be classified as ice pick, boxcar, or rolling.
Acne Scars – Ice pick
As their name implies, ice pick acne scars are thin, sharp scars. The
skin looks as though it has been sliced with an ice pick. These scars
are narrow, but deep, extending into the deep dermis or subcutaneous
layer.
Acne Scars - Boxcar
Unlike ice pick scars, boxcar scars do not taper to a point. Instead,
they are round pits that have sharp vertical edges. Skin resurfacing
techniques such as dermabrasion or laser resurfacing may be used to
treat shallow boxcar scars. Deeper scars require full-thickness
treatment techniques.
Acne Scars - Rolling
Rolling scars appear to have a rolling or undulating texture. They are
the result of folds in the skin to the subcutaneous tissue below.
Rolling scars must be treated by breaking up the fibrous bands that are
causing the skin to fold or roll. Subcutaneous incision is the method
most commonly used to treat this condition.
Acne
Scar Treatment:
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers such as fat, collagen, hyaluronic acid derivatives, and
polytheyl-methacrylate microspheres with collagen can be injected into
acne scars to raise the surface of the skin and give a smoother look.
The injection of dermal fillers does not permanently correct acne
scars. The results are temporary, so further injections are necessary.
Punch Excision
Deep acne scars such as ice pick and deep boxcar scars can be treated
with the punch excision method. This procedure uses a punch biopsy tool
that looks similar to a round, sharp cookie-cutter. It comes in
diameters ranging from 1.5 mm to 3.5 mm, and the correct size can be
chosen to match the size of the scar. Local anesthesia is used to
remove the scar tissue and suture the edges together. If a new scar
should develop in the old one’s place, it will now be easier to treat
with a skin resurfacing technique.
This technique can also be performed with a skin graft, where the
scarred skin is removed and that area is filled with a skin graft taken
from behind the ear. Some kind of skin resurfacing technique will still
likely be needed to correct any differences in the skin’s color and
texture.
Punch Elevation
This method of surgically correcting acne scars uses the same punch
tool that is used in the punch excision method. It is used on deep
boxcar scars that have sharp edges and normal appearing bases. With the
punch elevation method, the base of the scar is excised leaving the
walls of the scar intact. The excised base is then sutured to the
surface of the skin to fill the void. There are fewer incidences of
color and texture differences with this technique and less chance of
developing another visible scar.
Subcutaneous Incision
Rolling scars can be treated with subcutaneous incision. This method is
used to break up the fibrous bands that cause the skin to roll or
appear undulated. Local anesthesia is inserted under the skin with a
special beveled needle that remains parallel to the skin’s surface. The
needle is then used to gently cut the fibrous bands with a piston like
motion. Bruising is likely to occur with this method, but it will
usually fade in about one week.
Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing is a popular treatment used to cure many skin
defects. Carbon dioxide and YAG lasers are the two most common types
used for the laser resurfacing of acne scars. Using the controlled beam
of a laser, the top layer of skin is burned to a precise depth. The
skin then heals itself by replacing the lost skin with new skin.
For more information on acne remedies go to http://www.acne-answers.org.
About the Author
Dr. Group, the founder/CEO and clinical director
for the Global Healing Center, heads a research and development team
producing advanced, new, natural health protocols and products. To
learn more visit http://www.ghchealth.com.
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