Microdermabrasion is a process that utilizes minute crystals in the exfoliation or sloughing away of dead skin. In principle, the roughness of these crystals help get rid of the gray layer of dead cells that coats the outer skin or epidermis. This encourages faster cell regeneration as the skin repairs itself. Also, without the old skin in the way, absorption of treatments being ministered to the new skin becomes easier.
Alice Hart- Davis of London's newspaper the Evening Standard, describes likens her experience with microdermabrasion to "sandblasting." ("The Day I Sandblasted," 2005, p. 24) While she says that the treatment did deliver what she expected, the lotions and solutions used in the preparation phase before the process itself made her skin extra-sensitive and sting during the procedure.
Chemical peels
As the name implies, chemicals are placed on skin to induce "peeling." The object of this is to eliminate old, sun or smoke damaged skin to reveal the fresh new skin underneath. There are three types of peels available: superficial, medium and deep peels ("The Appeal of Perfection;," 2006, p. 29).
Superficial peels are done to treat wrinkles, acne scars and darkened patches of skin. Alphahydroxy acids (AHAs) are commonly used during this type of peel. It is fast and require no time at all for recovery.
Medium peels call for treatment by medically trained professionals. Trichloracetic acids are sometimes combined with glycolic acid and applied to the skin's surface. This may hurt a bit as it is common for a "burning" or stinging sensation to accompany the few minutes the solution remains on the skin. Recovery may take up to six weeks during which skin may be a little reddish or even appear brown.
Deep facial peels require the use of anesthetics and a lot of time for recovery. This is best used for people with coarse wrinkles and severely damaged skin. Only registered dermatologists and surgeons should treat patients requiring deep peels.
Laser resurfacing
While surgery or lasers cannot completely remove a scar, scar pigmentation, shape and alignment may be manipulated to make the scar less noticeable according to Dr. David G. Lefell, dermatologist and surgeon from Yale-New Haven Hospital in Connecticut. ("Scarred for Life Not," 2003, p. 12)
Lasers penetrate through the skin and cause a "controlled" burning of the second layer of the skin called dermis. This would stimulate the production of new skin cells to replace the ones damaged in the process. Patients are however warned that healing is different from person to person and there can be "no guarantee that another noticeable scar will not form in place of the old scar or that the second scar will not be worse than the first." ("Scarred for Life Not," 2003, p. 12)
The effectiveness of laser resurfacing in diminishing scars have lots of people hopeful that scars left by acne and the like will soon be a thing of the past. Such treatment is expensive though, since it is more of a cosmetic procedure, very few insurance companies will cover such expense.
Subcision and Excision
"Subcision involves having a small needle break up the scar tissue underneath the skin's various depression-type pits." ("Coming Face to Face," 2002, p. B01) This process helps detach the scar from the underlying tissue and creates a space for blood clotting to form. This clotting would then raise the scar's depression and make it appear level with the rest of the skin.
In excision, the scar is surgically removed by the doctor who then patces the skin with stitches. This is usually done for scars with jagged edges. ("Coming Face to Face," 2002, p. B01) there is however, always the possibility of a new scar forming where the stitches join the treated skin.
Perhaps one of the most difficult effects of acne is the physical scarring it can leave behind. Even the mildest form of acne can scar, but the more severe types can leave very visible scars that won't go away on their own. There are things you can do to try to avoid these scars, like properly cleansing your skin, or refraining from popping zits, as this can cause scarring, but this doesn't mean scars won't develop. This is especially true in more severe types of acne where the lesions are on the skin for longer periods of time than in milder forms. In cystic acne, the nodules or cysts can stay on the skin for weeks, or even months, and can leave behind very noticeable scars.
There are different types of acne scars, and different treatments for each. They are classified in the following manner.
Ice pick scars are characterized by the appearance of deep pits on the skin and are most common in a sign of classic acne scarring.
Boxcar scars are angular scars, usually occurring on the temple and cheeks, and can be superficial or deep. They are also very similar to the scars left by Chickenpox.
Rolling scars give the skin a wave-like appearance.
Hypertrophic scars are thickened scars, and may be associated with some of the more severe types of acne.
To get rid of acne scars, seek treatment through a physician. A combination of treatments are available that show good results for many people. Treatment for acne scarring depends on the type of scars you have, as well as your skin type. Most of the success of treating acne scars has been for those on the face. It has been found that those on the back and chest do not respond as well to treatment.
One of the best ways to prevent acne scarring is to prevent acne. Taking steps to fight and prevent this condition will minimize the chance for scarring. Also treating the acne you do have as quickly as possible after it appears can help prevent acne scars.
It is also advisable to seek the help of a physician when you aren't sure how to best treat your acne or its scars. Some scar treatment requires medical attention, and a doctor can help you find the treatment that will work best for you.
Understanding your skin type, type of acne, and type of scarring associated with it is also important. If you treat your particular type of acne from the onset, thereby, also working to prevent additional breakouts and problems, you can prevent the formation of deep, lasting scars. In some cases the scar can be removed by laser treatment, but this is only in more serious cases where the scars are deep.
And last but not least, soft tissue augmentation is something to think about as well. This type of treatment will help to correct the loss of skin cells due to acne scarring, making the skin appear and feel smoother and healthier. It will also help to rid of any remaining acne scars that may be visible.
Understanding your problem will help you work toward a solution.
Both Eugene Yeng & Bjorn Gutter 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.
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