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Acne Basics

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Acne

Acne scars are a problem for many people who suffered bad acne flare-ups in the past. After all, 80% of people in their teens and twenties are affected with acne. Most people will not have any lasting any affects of acne, but some will develop scarring that can be disfiguring. There are many products and medical procedures available for the treatment of acne scars. These treatments range from topical skin creams to surgical procedures. Prevention is also very important if wanting to avoid a long-term problem.

Prevention of acne scars is the best way to avoid future problems. To prevent acne lesions that cause scarring, you must learn how to reduce the factors that cause acne breakouts in the first place. Some ways to prevent acne lesions is daily washing of your face with an antibacterial soap and avoiding the use of heavy lotions on the face and acne prone areas of your body.

There are several classifications of acne scars. These should be known in order to determine what type of treatments would be most effective. Ice pick acne scars are sharp, narrow scars that make the skin appear as if it has been punctured. Ice pick scars are usually too deep to be treated with any acne scar resurfacing. Boxcar scars are round or oval depressions and if they are not too deep can usually be treated with some treatments. Rolling scars are spots below the skin and can’t be treated with conventional acne scar treatments. Breaking up the fibrous tissue beneath the skin treats rolling scars.

There are many different acne scar treatments and most times procedures are combined to offer the greatest results. Dermal fillers are a product that is injected into the acne scars to give a smoother look. Examples of dermal fillers are fat, bovine collagen and human collagen. Dermal fillers are not a permanent solution to acne scars and the procedure must be repeated for maintenance. Punch excision is used to treat deep scars such as ice pick and boxcar scars. Punch excision is the process of using a tool to remove the entire scarred area and suture the remaining skin together. This method will leave a scar but it is typically a lot less noticeable than if the acne scar had been left. Punch excision is sometimes used with skin grafting as well. This means that rather than suturing the skin together a skin graft is applied using skin usually removed from behind the ear. With skin grafting color and skin texture differences may be noticeable but can be corrected after healing with skin resurfacing. Punch elevation is surgical procedure used on deep boxcar acne scars. The procedure involves using a punch tool to remove the scar and then elevating the under layer skin and securing it with sutures. This method lessens the risk of color and texture differences and also reduces visible scars left from suturing as in punch excision. Subcutaneous incision is the method used to break up the fibrous bands caused under the skin by rolling scars. Laser resurfacing is a popular choice of repair for many skin conditions. Laser resurfacing works by burning off the top layers of skin and in turn newer looking skin grows in its place.

To continue, there are many ways to correct or at least lessen the appearance of acne scars. Prevention of acne scars is key and will help you avoid the need to acne scar treatment altogether. If you feel acne scar treatment is something you require, consult your physician. Your physician will refer you to a qualified dermatologist with whom you can discuss your treatment options. Choosing the best treatment is key, as you want to use the most economical and effective method possible. You will also want to discuss treatment options that can be combined, for example, punch elevation and laser resurfacing. Combining the two treatments will compliment each other as the laser resurfacing can reduce any minimal scarring caused by the surgical procedure. When considering acne scar treatment always seek the help of a professional that has the correct credentials needed for such consultations. Also note that there are many over the counter products that state they can reduce the appearance of acne scars. While many of them may reduce the appearance temporarily, your healthcare professional is the best judge when it comes to a permanent solution