Acne scar treatments are not cheap and can cost anywhere from $50 to over $3000. Less expensive acne scar treatments can always be tried first, especially if the scars are not too severe. Something to consider is that most acne scar treatments are NOT covered by health insurance plans - but check for the specific conditions where you live.
Antibiotics and acne creams are most commonly prescribed first to clear the skin and minimize further breakouts. Once the active acne regions of the skin have healed scar treatment can begin. Some common acne scar treatments are laser removal and dermabrasion, which are quite effective for removal of shallow scars. For mild cases chemical peels may be all that is required. Deeper acne scars may need punch techniques first followed by laser treatments. Many cases will require one or more treatments, or a combination of treatments to achieve the best results. Most acne scar treatments can be performed quickly and with minimal discomfort right in the office.
Generally acne scar treatments are short procedures - 15 minutes to an hour - but recovery times may range from immediate to many months. Scabbing, swelling, redness, dryness, flakiness, bruising and uneven skin tone are common post-treatment effects.
Dermabrasion works on shallow acne scars. It is the surgical technique of peeling away the damaged outer layer of skin containing the acne scars, from the skin layer below. It is a fairly harsh process requiring local anesthesia, but is effective as it allows the lower unscarred skin layers to take their place on the skin surface.
Laser resurfacing is a newer resurfacing technique which has gained immense popularity. Penetration depth into the skin is more easily controlled with a laser than with dermabrasion and other methods. It is less painful and has faster recovery times.
Chemical peels can be used in cases where acne scarring is only slight. They involve the application of chemicals to the skin in order to remove the scarred top layer, allowing the smoother under layer to come to the surface.
Subcision is a method whereby the scar tissue is broken up underneath the surface of the skin. The subsequent blood clot helps form connective tissue under the scar, making it become level with the surface and effectively removing the scar.
Punch techniques are used for deep acne scars. Punch excision involves removing the pitted scar tissue, followed by a skin graft or stitches. Punch elevation cuts the scar tissue holding the skin down and allows it to move back to the level of surrounding skin.
Dermal fillers are used for deeper acne scars. Collagen or fat is injected into the cavity under the scar which forces the skin surface back to the normal level. Injections only last about six months, although longer lasting materials are currently being researched.
Medications like Tetracycline are antibiotics that clear up acne by stopping infection and allowing the skin to heal naturally. However, after a while the bacteria can develop immunity to the antibiotics, in which case the infections can become even more severe and difficult to treat. Accutane is another medication that helps with acne scar removal. It has high doses of Vitamin A that eliminate oils from the skin, and cut down on the scarring by reducing infection. Note that you can't take Accutane at all if you are pregnant, or even might become pregnant, because it causes birth defects. Since there are potential side effects of both the antibiotics and Accutane, only a dermatologist should prescribe this type of acne scar treatment.
