Removing Acne Scars - From Ice Pick Scars to Keloids

Deep, pitted acne scars, particularly those on the face, can make even the most confident among us suffer a self-esteem crisis from time to time. Scarring of any kind can greatly impact an individual, and while acne scars can look "rugged" on some men - think Harrison Ford, Robert Redford and Clint Eastwood - most women usually hate them.
While it may sound cliched, learning to live with yourself is perhaps the easiest, as well as safest and cheapest, way to deal with physical imperfections of any kind.
Acne usually begins with the onset of puberty, when we produce more sebum, the oily secretion made by our sebaceous glands, than our bodies can cope with gracefully. Prescription acne medications can often nip those pimples in the bud, but for some of us there is no escaping them - as well as the subsequent scarring.
Luckily, there are myriad treatments available on the market today that can either completely remove scars, or reduce their appearance significantly. Many dermatological procedures to reduce the appearance of acne scars can be carried out either by your dermatologist or at a med spa. Just make sure the person scraping, lasering or digging holes in your face is someone you trust!
Dermatological Acne Scar Removal Procedures
* Laser Therapy. Works by making keloid scars, where this an overgrowth of tissue, and hypertrophic scars, which look similar to keloids but are smaller, less visible. Also works well on atrophic scarring, or tiny pockets in the skin which can be a direct result of acne. The magic of the lasers is that they remove a scar's outer skin layer, revealing a bottom layer that eventually heals and by doing so minimizes the visibility of the scar itself. The type of laser used will depend on the type of scarring you have. You may suffer redness for several months, but the upside is that in some cases, one treatment is all you need for permanent results.
* Steroid Injections. Sometimes these are used in conjunction with lasers, jabbed directly into keloid scars, to make them flat and less visible. It is difficult, however, to raise depressions, or pockets, except by regenerating the skin. Steroid injections are usually the only way to treat keloid scarring that occurs from acne scars, as surgical removal of them is seldom instrumented.
* Dermabrasion. Thought to be the best method for acne scar removal, and is a more severe form of Microderm (see below). Instead of abrasive particles being used, your practitioner will use a brush (or fraise) to remove the skin. Superficial scars may disappear completely, deeper ones will be make less noticeable. Does not work for all types of scars, and people with darker skin might require additional treatment to sort out resultant pigmentation problems.
* Microdermabrasion. A technique in which the top, superficial layer of the skin is removed, both to stimulate the production of collagen (and encourage healing) and reveal softer, smoother skin underneath. Often called a "lunchtime peel" because Microderm can be carried out so quickly - in your lunch hour - the procedure works well in areas where acne scarring is not very deep. It can also be done in conjunction with chemical peels, as it will make the chemicals seep in easier.
* Collagen Injections. Injections of bovine-sourced or human collagen plump out the scars, making them instantly less noticeable. Advantage: works well. Disadvantage: may only last for three months; bovine collagen is not good for people with comprised immune systems; does not work on all types of scarring, such as ice pick scars, which leave a tiny hole which looks as if it has been made by an ice pick or other similar instrument.
* Chemical Peels. A variety of chemical peels are on offer that both plump up the skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and scars, and also smooth and exfoliate to make skin look better - and reduce future occurrence of acne breakouts. Depending on the nature of your skin you can opt for a light, medium-strength or stronger peel. Just make sure you choose one that doesn't exacerbate your skin even further!
* Surgery. Some types of scars, such as ice pick scars, can be removed by "punching" them down during surgery, then suturing the skin back together. Or try Z-Plasty, aka zigzagplasty, where a scar is repositioned to blend in better with your face - along the natural creases of the cheek, or elsewhere.
* Medical Tattooing. As scar tissue that is light-colored has no pigment, tattoos can infuse color to make them blend in better with the rest of your skin. Can also help scars to "relax" and re-pigment naturally. Finally, if you have only one tattoo in a not very noticeable area, ask your doctor if you can tattoo it with a pattern or design...
* Fat Transfer. Fat is taken from other parts of your body and injected into a scar to plump it out. Remember, the fat will eventually be absorbed into the body, so you will need to repeat this time and time again to keep up the look.
* Lotions and potions. Some people find that certain types of acne scarring reduction creams work wonders; others find they have no effect whatsoever. A lot will depend on the type of scar you have, as well as the severity of your scarring. It's all a matter of trial-and-error...
Even the best surgeons cannot completely remodel a face so that it looks completely different - not unless you were willing to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars having countless operations. While surgery can help get rid of the worst acne scars, you will probably still have some pitting left if your face - or your neck or back - was deeply affected by acne as a teenager.
While it may sound cliched, learning to live with yourself is perhaps the easiest, as well as safest and cheapest, way to deal with physical imperfections of any kind. If that doesn't work for you, remember that one of the Harley Davidson mantras is "chicks love scars". Hopefully, you can also learn to love them - or at least love yourself with them!
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate medical professional.

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Effective New Treatments for Removing Acne Scars

Although acne is traditionally thought of as a disorder of the teenage years, long after those years have passed and the acne condition has faded, many adults are left with facial scarring from acne they had years earlier. Thanks to modern medical advancements, there are very effective treatments available today to treat acne scarring.
Acne is a disease that often leaves scars behind. There are several different kinds of acne scars. Pitting scars are commonly known as "ice pick scars." The more crater-like scars are known as "depressed scars." In addition, changes in the color of the skin can also occur at the site of previous acne lesions. The skin can end up darker than normal, lighter than normal, or redder than normal.
For a single ice pick scar, the most effective treatment is simple excision. However, when the scarring is more widespread, other methods must be used to treat the scars. Dermabrasion was one of the first methods developed for treating acne scars, and it is still used today. With dermabrasion, a rotating wire brush or a spinning diamond burr is used to smooth down the surface of the skin. As the skin heals, a new layer of skin replaces the abraded skin, resulting in an improved appearance in the treated area. However, dermabrasion can require 10-20 days to heal, and may result in redness that can persist for several months. For these reasons, other methods were developed that have quicker recoveries and fewer side effects.
We are now using the Fraxel laser for acne scarring. We believe that the Fraxel laser is the best modality available today for treating more generalized acne scarring. With the Fraxel, the facial skin is resurfaced over a series of 4 or 5 treatments. Because the Fraxel laser preserves normal healthy skin between the areas of skin that the laser has treated, healing and recovery occur more quickly after each laser treatment.
We have been extremely impressed by the improvement in acne scarring after Fraxel laser treatment. The Fraxel laser is a "home run" when it comes to the treatment of acne scarring.
Our patients who have acne scarring are invited to call our office and make an appointment to have their scarring evaluated. In addition to scar excision, dermabrasion, and Fraxel laser resurfacing, other treatments for acne scarring are also available. Thanks to the development of a number of different techniques, acne scars can be treated with a variety of safe and effective procedures that improve the appearance of a patient's skin. With all of the modalities available today for treating acne scarring, no one should ever have to live with their acne scars.

Dr. Mary Lee Amerian is consistently voted one of the top dermatologists and skin care specialists in Los Angeles and is a frequent contributor to many health and wellness publications across the U.S. Dr. Amerian has also been voted by her peers as one of the "Best Doctors in America" consecutively since 1996. She currently teaches at UCLA where she holds the title of Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine.
Dr. Amerian has been featured on the cover of the Health section of the Los Angeles Times for her work on the VelaSmooth device for the treatment of cellulite. Dr. Amerian recently completed filming her second season of shows for the television show, "Ten Years Younger," which can be seen on The Learning Channel. Dr. Amerian uses all of the modern techniques of non-surgical facial rejuvenation on this show. By using the Fraxel laser, Vbeam laser, Thermage, Botox, and fillers such as Restylane, Collagen, and Sculptra, Dr. Amerian's patients have indeed looked "Ten Years Younger," and without any surgery.

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Best Methods For Removing Acne Scars

Acne is something that can affect virtually anyone, whether as a young adult or a full adult. Not only can the onslaught of acne pose as an embarrassing issue for many individuals, but so can the aftermath in cases of scarring, leaving many to wonder about different options for removing acne scars, or if it's even possible to do in more serious cases. Fortunately, there are methods that you can take in order to prevent scars from happening and also to lessen them over time.
Even with the best skin regime and intentions, some people may suffer from scarring, which can generally lower their self-esteem. Regardless of the countless amount of money spent or attempts made, many wind up feeling frustrated and at a loss. However, much relies on not just your skin care and daily routine, but also your overall mindset in this case and a new approach.
Having a good, daily skin routine can play a crucial role in your skin's health. While it may not always be enough in some cases, if you happen to find that you're breaking out frequently, it may be time to rethink your regime. A good rule of thumb is to avoid anything that dries out or irritates the skin such as products with a lot of high alcohol in them.
Try to find that right type of products for your actual skin time. You can do this by purchasing products that are relevant to your type of skin combination, whether it's dry, oily, combination, or sensitive. It's also wise to perform your routine at least twice a day, and always after you have been sweating or getting dirty.
Acne is often brought on when dead skin cells clog the pores of the skin after meshing with natural body oils that secrete to the surface and dirt, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. Washing your face regularly is key, but so is using moisturizers, sunscreen and exfoliating as needed. Exfoliating helps to remove dead skin from the surface, while moisturizers protect and hydrate the skin. It's also important to avoid picking at any acne that shows up, as this can create scars.
There are many different methods that can be used to reduce the appearance of scare, some of which are done by a professional, while others can be done from home. One common home remedies or methods may include using vitamin E capsules, either internally or topically, in order to renew cells. Other methods generally focus on skincare products that are designed to help minimize aging, scarring and so forth, such as items with salicylic acid or alpha hydroxy, as well as dermabrasion kits and peels.
There are several professional methods that you can choose to use to help with removing acne scars, if you find that at-home attempts aren't working or just aren't fast enough. These methods often involve microdermabrasion procedures, chemical or laser peels, filler injections, punch techniques, subcision treatments, prescribed creams and so forth. Since these methods can sometimes be invasive and costly, it's often a good idea to speak with a skincare medical professional to see what options may best suit your needs.

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