There are a number of treatments and surgical procedures available to alleviate acne blemishes. These treatments are mainly aimed to help fade or erase acne marks permanently. Unfortunately there is no universal cure to blot out acne marks. Although one treatment process could prove to be useful for others, it might not be effective in your case. Most popular treatments available for acne scar removal are laser treatments, chemical peels, topical medications, dermabrasion, autologous fat transfer, and manual excision. Pockmark caused by acne typically look like "ice pick" pits, craterlike or keloidal scars which could be lightened over time or erased completely.
There are two broad classifications for laser treatment. One is ablative or resurfacing and another is nonablative. In the former method the impinged laser radiation is absorbed by the water molecules of the cells in the affected skin surface. This absorption process is instantly followed by immediate vaporization of water from the cells causing destruction of the cells and the associated scarred cutaneous layer. Thus the damaged skin layer gets peel off and the biological process of dermal collagen production rate gets faster to cover up the area with new healthy skin. Nonablative laser techniques are noninvasive and far more effective than the former one with less downtime. It does not cause any impairment to the epidermal skin layer. In this technique the affected area is initially made extremely cool with a blast of cryogenic spray and this cooling process is instantly followed by a ray of laser beam. This heats up the sebaceous glands and triggers natural collagen formation thereby softening and flattening the deep acne scars from within without harming your skin texture.
Dermabrasion is a method initially a local anesthetic is applied onto the affected area. Then a high-speed brush or fraise is used to sand off the top layer of the skin and modulate the contour of the scar. While superficial keloidal scars could be removed altogether, the depressed scarred skin might get reduced in depth, shaping a smooth and fresh skin. However, this process is not applicable for all sorts of scars and sometimes aggravates the situation. For the non-white people it might cause change of pigmentation which needs separate medical care. Certain topical applications which contain retin-A and alpha hydroxy acid as key ingredients might be quite useful in improving acne as well as stimulating new collagen formation. These two chemicals help in peeling off damaged skin layer rendering a clean and healthy skin. Also a suitable sunscreen lotion is necessary to avoid sunburn on the new sensitive skin texture.
Laser Acne Scars Removal
To help remove the remaining scars after inflammation and swelling has affected the skin, the modern medical field has begun to use lasers as a method of choice. When it comes to acne scars, which can run deeper than the epidermis, or the outermost layer of skin, lasers are an effective treatment option which get down to the root of the scar.
The use of laser acne removal is growing popularity since it offers dermatologists and patients with an effective acne removing tool. Lasers are generally used to promoted skin removal and replacement, or healing, which helps to eliminate scarring on the skin which has been present for years. The skin is essentially purposefully damaged and then undergoes a healing process which involves the growth of new skin. This new skin is generally scar free. In some rare cases it is possible for the scars to reappear. This has been most notably seen in skin on the back. It is thus important to understand the process of laser acne removal and the benefits and risks prior to treatment. An experienced dermatologist can discuss these matters with you before and during treatments.
Some of the benefits of laser are obvious when compared to other treatments. With laser acne removal, fewer treatments are usually needed. Healing time can take days to weeks depending on the treatment and the excessiveness of the scarring to be removed. Though healing time can require some down time, lasers allow patients to get their treatment done and over with in fewer treatment sessions. With chemical peels, more than one peel may be necessary. With dermabrasion, the skin is more generally purposefully damaged and lasers allow for more precisely targeted treatment areas. There are a number of differences between the two. It is a good idea to speak with a skin care professional about the differences to decide which treatment method is best for your skin.
After laser acne removal, it is important that the skin be cared for with the most stringent attention. To prevent infection, a dermatologist will advise you on what to do and what not to do, to make sure that the skin is kept healthy. Avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun, or even moderate exposure, is always a good idea during the beginning stages of healing. Since the skin will be sensitive after its initial healing from the laser treatment, sunscreen and care should be used when going outdoors. Also, it is a good idea to watch what is put on the skin to help prevent infection. Since the laser acne removal removes the epidermis as well as part of the dermis, the skin is vulnerable to bacterial and viral infections. It is important to approach the healing process with great regard and to ask as many questions as necessary to make sure that your skin will heal beautifully and safely.
Overall, laser treatments in the skin care field are growing and the skin is thankful for it. The technology used with lasers usually involves a high frequency light which can be used for all sorts of skin conditions. For acne scarring, it is providing patients with a renewed confidence in their appearance.
Both Juliet Cohen & Lisa Ortega are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.