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Acne Scar Treatments
A wide variety of acne scar treatments have been used to treat acne scarring. There are both invasive (surgical and laser) and non invasive acne scar treatments.
Acne scar treatments used in the Dermatology Department at the Leeds General Infimary include laser dermabrasion with either CO2 laser technology using the ultrapulse CO2 laser or the Erbium Yag laser, mainly on patients with atrophic scars: or the pulsed tunable dye laser for the treatment of vascular atrophic scars. Topical treatments include Retin A which improves ice pick scars and Adapalene for atrophic scarring. However, because of the heterogeneity of scars that result from active acne even within individual patients, as well as the lack of objective assessment methods and lack of scientific understanding of scarring mechanisms, selecting the most effective treatment is difficult.
Alpha hydroxy acid acne scar treatments has been proven to peel, exfoliate, and rejuvenate the top layers of skin. Glycolic and alpha hydroxy acid acne scar treatments correct the skin by promoting cell desquamation, resulting in the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles.
When used in combination with oral or topical medications, these acne scar treatments can hasten the response of acne to treatment by reducing the amount of sebum being trapped in the follicles. Glycolic acid peels typically, require no downtime.
Salicylic acid, TCA, Jessner's and Phenol cause destruction to the deeper layer of the skin, thus permitting the underlying new skin to resurface for treating deeper scars and skin growths. Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid that is oil soluble and can therefore penetrate oil plugged pores. When used as a peel, the treatment can be repeated at two-to-four week intervals. However, many cosmetic preparations now include alpha and beta hydroxy acids, allowing for exfoliation of the skin on a daily basis.
Hyaluronic acid, cllagen, ft, Artecoll are injected material under the scar to bring it to surface level. Such acne scar treatments are temporary, and last about 6 months give or take a few months, while other materials may last longer. A peel or injection can vary in cost, but generally starts at about $150 per peel and $300 per injection. A minimum amount is usually prescribed by the doctor.
Microdermabrasion is considered effective acne scar treatment and to prevent acne outbreaks through a mechanical process. Microdermabrasion acne scar treatment uses three specially designed, subsystems: a vacuum system, a compressor and a patented hand piece with tubing interlink system. The system's hand piece projects aluminum micro-crystals onto the skin's surface in a "sandblasting" type of technique and then pulls the crystals back up into an adjoining waste canister along with any expunged skin cells.
Generally, patients may require more than one acne scar treatment, which are usually spaced over a period of two weeks to a month apart to give the treated area time to heal. Patients may need two to twelve treatments depending on the size, depth and type of problem of the affected area.
The latest acne scar treatments are lasers, such as the pulsed carbon dioxide (CO2) laser and the Erbium:YAG laser. The CO2 laser vaporizes thin layers of the skin and tightens collagen fibers, which makes it an appropriate treatment for depressed acne scars. The Erbium: YAG laser vaporizes thinner layers per pass and produces very precise bursts of energy which allows for the sculpting of smaller, irregular scars.
The cost of laser acne scar treatments varies according to the individual practice and the type of laser device, but generally starts at around $200 per session and can go higher. The amount of sessions needed is determined by your condition and your doctor.
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