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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 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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