Acne Scarring - How You Can Prevent and Get Rid of Boxcar Scars

Acne is one of the most common and most talked skin conditions without a real cure. Acne can however be controlled, but most spend almost all their life trying to find the accurate treatment. All that time searching has most probably caused some consequences, besides the actual breakouts; the most probable this that can have happened to you is that you have ended up with ugly reminders, acne scars.
First of all, let's understand what acne really is. Acne is the result of an inflammatory response to sebum outbreaks within hair follicles or pores. Sebum is trapped and becomes therefore, an ideal place for bacteria growth, which is when acne breakouts occur.
For the lucky ones that have found a treatment that controls their acne, it has most probably prevented the appearance or the consequences of the different types of acne scars that can affect your complexion. For others, the result of not treating your acne has probably resulted in a variety of acne scars; ice-pick scars, boxcar scars, rolling scars, pitted scars or even raised hypertrophic scars. All acne scars fall under either those caused by loss of tissue (ice-pick scars, pitted scars, boxcar scars, rolling scars) or those caused by an excess of tissue (hypertrophic scars, keloid scars). Within these categories you can find any one of the previously mentioned types of scars, but in this article we'll concentrate solely on one type - boxcar scars.
Boxcar scars happen when an inflamed acne lesion destroys tissue; it leaves the area of the skin sunken and tissue is lost because this type of acne lesion destroys collagen. This type of scar is often confused with other sunken or deep scarring, such as an ice-pick scar. Boxcar scars can appear on the temples and cheeks of the face in various sizes and shapes.
Boxcar Scars - What are they and Can They be Treated?
Which type of acne scar removal you decide to use will depend on the severity of the scar and its depth. Skin resurfacing techniques, dermabrasion or laser resurfacing may be used to treat this type of scar. However, you can also consider more natural types of treatments.
Natural Treatment for Boxcar Scars
Not everyone wants to undergo an invasive treatment. If you're one of these people then natural acne scar removal treatments are the thing for you. This type of product is created using revolutionary natural compounds that contain a regenerating compound and natural antibiotic that has proven effective for acne scar treatment. Its regenerative capabilities are also effective in treating keloid scars and reducing ice-pick scars while preventing further scar formation. Because of its composition; this treatment can be used in conjunction with Accutane or other oral antibiotics that are used in treating severe nodular cystic acne.
It is no easy task to eliminate scars, however if you need to treat pitted scars, rolling scars, ice-pick scars or any other type of acne scar you first need to be informed. Find out the pros and cons of the different types of acne treatment available to you.

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Acne Scarring

One of the most common questions confronted in dermatology offices amongst patients with acne is how to get rid of acne scarring. This is such an important question because, as acne has its own problems, occasionally the resulting acne scarring can be as cosmetically disturbing as the original acne. Many advances have been made to alleviate the appearance of acne scarring, but no over-the-counter remedies are currently available. The following discussion and suggestions must be carefully reviewed with your experienced dermatologist.
The first step in the treatment of acne scarring is treating the underlying acne. Without an effective anti-acne regimen, treating acne scarring will be futile as more scars will occur despite treatments. For a more thorough discussion on acne and acne regimens, please reference these topics in the DermBlue Learning Center or accompanying EzineArticles:

Acne
Acne Skin Care Regimen
Blackheads, Large Pores, and Oily Skin
Over-the-Counter Acne Care
Your regimen may include simple over-the-counter acne care or prescription topicals such as Retin-A® or Tazorac®. Other treatment options include antibiotics, Blu-Light Photodynamic therapy, and oral isotretinoin therapy. These choices are made between you and your experienced dermatologist. Acne scarring can be divided into two primary groups: rolling acne scars and ice-pick scars. Rolling scars are best described as hills and valley that are truly accentuated with tangential lighting. Ice-pick scarring is the sharp, deep pitting holes made as if an ice-pick was poked into the skin. The treatment of these two different types of scarring differs in both the methods used and the rate of success. For rolling scars, there are surgical, ablative, and non-ablative methods to reduce scarring. Surgical methods include subcision treatment where a needle/blade is placed underneath the scar and moved side to side to loosen up the underlying scarred tissue. Another treatment option is using a filler such as Restylane® or medical grade silicone to fill up the scar. Non-ablative therapies include using an infrared laser to heat up and remodel the tissue underlying the scar. Ablative therapies include dermabrasion (manual sanding of the skin) or ablative lasers, such as the Er:YAG or CO2 lasers, to remove the top lasers of the skin and essentially even out the "hill-tops and valleys" of the rolling scars.
For ice-pick scarring, surgical methods include punch excision, where a cookie-cutter circular instrument is used to remove the scar under anesthesia and a stitch may or may not be placed to help with healing. Another new technique involves using 90% Trichloroacetic Acid applied with a toothpick. This serves to damage the skin within the scar and promote scar remodeling. The other treatment methods mentioned above also apply: use of the filler substances, dermabrasion, and laser resurfacing.
In general, non-ablative laser therapy may reasonably lead to 50-70% improvement of rolling acne scars. Subcision and use of fillers are ideally used for limited rolling acne scarring and punch excision treatment may be used if isolated ice-pick scarring is noted. For more extensive scarring of either type, dermabrasion or ablative laser therapy tends to be the best option.
Many of these treatments are skin-type specific and must be determined upon close consultation with your dermatologist. While these treatments are not covered under any insurance, the cosmetic results may be well-worth the price. Make sure to discuss all the possible therapy options and combinations, as well as the reasonably expected results.

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The Emotional and Psychological Effects of Acne Scarring

Most people relate acne with teenagers. Images of pimply faced pizza delivery boys and prom dates are part of the American culture. In most cases, the blemishes clear up and are long forgotten once in adulthood. But sometimes, in the frenzy to clear themselves of the acne, the scrubbing and harsh cleansers create scarring which will last into adulthood. Another cause of acne scarring is adults who suffer from acne and who hastily do anything they can to get rid of the acne often leaving acne scars.
It was long assumed that adults who incurred scarring did not suffer with the emotional and psychological trauma that their teenage counterparts did. After all - High school is a much more "looks" oriented place than adult society, right? Adults are often thought to be better equipped emotionally to handle the scarring and accept it as a new mother accepts stretch marks from a pregnancy.
However, it is emerging that adult acne scars the skin more deeply and has an equally negative psychological effect.
As we age, our skin loses collagen - the "elasticity" if you will, and its ability to heal damaged tissue diminishes. Until recently, adults with acne scarring kept relatively quiet about the pain they endured. However, as Dermatologists have begun to treat acne as a general skin disease and not as teenage disorder, older patients have begun to "come out" and admit their trauma and feel more comfortable seeking treatment.
Recent studies have been conducted on men and women to discuss their feelings on acne scarring. The study revealed those suffering from acne scarring tended to be introverted, avoided contact with other people, lacked self confidence and were more likely to keep their head down and try to style their hair to cover their scars. Many of the participants also carried a lot of guilt, as though it was their fault the acne and scars were present.
The low self esteem brought on by scarring often leads acne sufferers into depression. They close themselves off and withdraw from social activities, friends and society. They develop negative self-image and feel embarrassed when around other people. These negative feelings often times keep the person from pursuing social activities, and can also affect their job performance.
Everyone deals with the trauma of acne scarring differently. While it is not uncommon for teens to become angry and rebellious, adults often turn inward and withdraw. In both cases, scarring results in a loss of self-esteem and self-confidence. Adults typically become obsessed with their skin and over cleanse and scrub their face with harsh cleaners. Often times, excessive use of makeup and concealers is used to try and cover up the embarrassing scars.
Many people, even adults, believe that the acne is caused by poor hygiene! Rather ironic since obsessive cleaning is what caused the scarring in the first place! But it's no wonder so many people think this with all of the advertisements seen on television and elsewhere which speak of "clogged pores" and the like. The myth that acne is caused by dirty skin has been encouraged by the big corporations making millions of dollars selling topical acne treatments. The truth is acne is caused by internal factors and is best treated internally.
So what can be done about the acne scars? There are treatments available, but none of them are guaranteed. Laser surgery, collagen treatments and topical creams are available to help reduce the appearance of scarring, but nothing (short of a total face lift) can get rid of it. The most effective way of dealing with acne scarring is to try and prevent it in the first place, or prevent further damage.
If you suffer from acne scarring, consult with a dermatologist. New treatments are being marketed all the time, and your doctor will have access to the latest medical treatments. If you are suffering from depression, it is advised that you seek counseling to help you work through your feelings. There is nothing to feel ashamed about, and you should not have to live your life in hiding because of some scarring.

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Acne Scarring Can Be Treated

Acne scarring occurs as a result of acne activity usually when it has been prolonged or severe, although in some individuals it may occur with only minor acne. Acne scarring is a complex problem that is not amenable to a simple, definitive solution. Acne scarring shows many different forms and is explainable by the depth and severity of the antecedent inflammation and the ability of the individual to heal these lesions. There are different kinds of acne scarring: ice pick scarring, atrophic scarring, and hyper trophic scarring.
Acne
Acne is one of most common skin conditions in the world, afflicting 40 to 50 million Americans. Acne scars may result from failure to properly treat even mild superficial acne lesions, not only from severe inflammatory nodular or cystic acne occurring deep in the dermis so stop playing with fire and become proactive. Acne scars result from two types of tissue response to the inflammation of acne:
(1) increased tissue formation, and
(2) loss of tissue.
Acne scars can give the skin an "old" look.
Treatment
Early treatment by a dermatologist may minimize the development of post-inflammatory pigmentation. A dermatologist expert opinion as to whether scar treatment is justified in your particular case, and what scar treatment will be most effective for you. Before committing to treatment of acne scars, you should have a frank discussion with your dermatologist regarding those questions, and any others you feel are important. The dermatologist needs to conduct a full examination and determine whether treatment can, or should, be undertaken. The objective of scar treatment is to give the skin a more acceptable physical appearance.
Scarring
Whether acne scarring is deep or superficial, extensive or scattered, the esthetic result can be less than desirable and even disturbing. Repeated and/or deep peels may be necessary to improve deep or extensive scarring. For example, the deep tissue penetration of a YAG laser may be used to "sculpt" irregular scarring and the infrared beam of the carbon dioxide laser may be used to tighten collagen fibers in the skin and elevate depressed scars. The best way to deal with acne is to get treatment soon after the acne appears to prevent further severe acne and more scarring.
Laser
Laser treatment of acne scars is a newer technology but one that can be very effective in selected patients. Laser technology has added to its systems the ability to restore pigmentation in those areas with a stimulation technique that brings back the natural substances that were stripped away. The newest form of treatment for acne scarring is called fractional laser therapy. This type of treatment works at a deeper level than laser resurfacing or dermabrasion, Because fractional laser therapy does not wound the top layer of tissue, healing time is shorter. Fractional laser therapy is quite costly, and it's not usually covered by insurance.
Acne scarring is no longer a problem without a solution. Acne scarring can be treated in a variety of ways including certain skin care products, prescription medications, chemical peels, laser or pulsed light treatments, soft tissue fillers, dermabrasion and microdermabrasion. The newest form of treatment for acne scarring is called fractional laser therapy.

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How to Remove Acne Scarring

Preventing an outbreak of acne is better than having acne scarring. But there are many ways of acne scarring removal. After the acne starts healing, there will be many scars and blemishes left behind on the skin.
When the acne scars are mild, they will disappear after a period of time with any acne scarring removal treatment. But when the scars are very severe they will stay on the skin for a long period of time. There are many people who have pits and craters on their skin, which are actually marks, and scars, which have been left due to the outbreak of acne on their skin.
Microdermabrasion, acne scar surgery, laser resurfacing and chemical peel treatments are some of the most common ways of acne scarring removal. The kind of treatment, which has to be applied, will be dependent on the kind of scars, which are present on the skin. Microdermabrasion will not help in the scarring removal which are very severe.
But chemical peel treatments are very effective in acne scarring removal and they can either be used at home or even in the hospital. They can be used in various capacities according to the acne scar condition. Deep and serious scars can be treated using high strength peels while low strength peels can be used in removing mild acne scars.
Many methods of surgery have also been devised for the acne scarring removal. The portion of the skin, which has acne scars, is removed using surgical methods. Then skin is grafted from some other part of the body and used in the form of a replacement. Normally skin is transplanted from the back of the ear and then implanted in the place, which has been left vacant by the acne scars.
Laser resurfacing can help in performing surgery to help acne scarring removal without wasting a single drop of blood. A concentrated laser beam is used to focus on the scars and burn the scar tissues. But this method of the removal of acne scars is very expensive and it can cost many thousands of dollars in terms of a medical bill.
The best and most recommended option for the acne scarring removal is to use a chemical peel. These forms of treatment for the removal of acne scars can also be used at home.
Using a chemical peel at home is a much cheaper and more cost effective method for the acne scarring removal when compare to the chemical peels which are given to people at hospitals when they come to get their acne scars removed. But you should also make sure that you use the right kind of chemical peels in order to get your acne scars removed.

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Acne Scars Cream For All Types of Scarring

Acne is almost an inevitable occurrence in most teenagers and acne scars is one of the most common consequences of having this condition. Just like most acne sufferers out there, you might be considering an acne scars cream that is effective enough to treat and get rid of acne and all your scars altogether, but what is needed to do such thing and is there something available that is potent enough? This article will discuss what the best acne scar removal treatment is available for boxcar, ice pick, hypertrophic and keloid scars.
Acne & Acne Scar Removal and Prevention
The best and most effective way to get rid of acne scars is to never have acne in the first place. Since acne is such a common condition, we must address what alternatives are out there. Two of the most common acne treatments available are either made with chemical or natural components.
Acne creams made with man-made ingredients are a good alternative to get rid of acne and this will of course prevent the appearance of pimples and therefore prevent acne scars. The downside of using these treatments is that these can cause your already sensitive skin to react to those harsh chemicals. The reaction may cause more acne lesions.
Removing acne and acne scars with a solution that contains only natural ingredients is the best alternative for your acne-prone and sensitive skin. Natural ingredients don't cause side effects (unless you are allergic) because they are very mild for your skin. Even though this is already good news for acne sufferers that want to get rid of pimples and then their acne scars, there is more to it.
So, if you already have for boxcar, ice pick, hypertrophic and keloid scars from acne (If you need more information about types of acne scarring click here: types of acne scars), don't hesitate to find a natural treatment to treat your scarring. But what of all the endless treatments should you pick from?
Natural Acne and Scar Removal Cream
Since we all know that the market is bombarded with natural acne creams and remedies for all your skin problems, it's important to know what ingredients you should be looking for instead of trying all of them. The best ingredient out there for acne and acne scarring is the secretion of a shy creature: the land snail Helix Aspersa Muller.
Believe it or not, this secretion can control acne better than any other acne ingredients out there. The snail's secretion will control sebum output, reduce inflammation, trigger scar repair and regeneration of damaged skin cells, increases the secretion of antimicrobials to control microbes, increases antioxidants to fight off free radicals and supports the overall recovery capabilities of the skin.
So there you have it, the best acne scar removal cream is made with the secretion of the land snail Helix Aspersa Muller. It can control your acne which is the best thing you can do to prevent acne scar formation in addition to erase boxcar, ice pick, hypertrophic and keloid scars.

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Treating Acne Scarring - How To Reduce And Remove Acne Scarring Permanently

Treating acne scarring is one of the greatest concerns of teenagers and young adults. Acne scarring can take the appearance of unsightly indentations, lumps or jab marks. This article will discuss how to prevent, reduce and remove acne scarring permanently.
Acne scarring is observed in different forms. These different forms of acne scarring classification came about as a result of medical professions studying the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of acne scarring conditions.
Ice pick acne scarring is large and deep and usually with open pores that look as though the skin has been stabbed with an ice pick (not an attractive appearance at all). This form of acne scarring is generally caused by cysts or pimples becoming infected and inflamed.
Acne pit scarring is the second form of acne scarring and these acne scars are depressed and sunken. This form of acne scarring occurs as a result of pimples or cysts becoming destroyed and forming acne pit scarring.
The next acne scarring classification is raised scars. This acne scarring occurs when cysts are clumped together. What then happens is that acne scarring tissues form which creates a very unpleasant mass or raised acne scar tissue on the skin surface.
Go to http://www.Be-Acne-Free-In-3-Days.com to get FREE instant access to "The Five Basic Secrets For Clearing Your Skin".
The good news is that acne scarring can be prevented by being sure to never squeeze, pick or pinch acne pimples. Other than that there is a lot you can do to lessen the appearance of acne scarring and treating it. Glycolic peels and acne scarring creams are available on the market which assist in softening the scar tissue and to improve the appearance of the skin.
Other than that another effective method for treating acne scarring and eliminating it can occur with treatments such as dermabrasions, injections of collagen and also laser resurfacing of the damaged skin.
Additionally, there are vitamins and minerals that also combat acne scarring. These vitamins and minerals include iron and vimatins E and E.
It is possible to treat acne scarring and not allowing acne to control many facets of your life.

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What Causes Acne Scarring Anyway?

Acne scars result from skin damage caused by healed acne wounds. The types of acne scars are as varied as the types of acne lesions. This variety arises because of the multiplicity of ways an acne lesion can form.

For example, an acne eruption may originate deep within the fatty tissue of the skin as the in the case of cysts or nodules.

Then again, the acne mark may form just beneath the epidermis as a result of pore irritation as in the case of the comedone. A non-inflamed closed comedone is a pore blocked by excess oils, keratin and/or skin cells.

Because excess bacteria and free fatty acids irritate the pore, the proceeding localized inflammatory response causes the pore to expand.

However, once the inflammation is removed, the acne lesion can begin the healing process.

The origin of the acne lesion within the skin will impact if and how an acne scar forms.

Another factor that shapes the development of an acne scar is how the lesion was treated. If an acne patient prematurely "pops" or opens and acne lesion, this could result in acne scarring.

Types of acne scars

In November of 1999, the British Journal of Dermatology published a study on the effectiveness of laser resurfacing to treat acne scars. During the investigation, the designers defined two types of acne scars, atrophic ("ice-pick") scars and raised acne scars. Additionally, acne patients may experience a third type of acne scar-- flat, pigmented marks.

Atrophic ("Ice-pick") Acne Scars

Atrophic acne scars appear as round indented marks in the skin. Their size can range from 0.254mm to 2.540mm in diameter. The dept of an atrophic acne scar can vary between 0.254mm to 0.762mm.

According to review of acne scar pathology Greg J. Goodman published in the 2001 edition of the Australian Journal of Dermatology, the skin indentations associated with atrophic acne scars typically results from the contraction of the skin's surface layers.

The depth and width of an atrophic acne scar is influenced by the loss of collagen, and sometimes fat loss, that results from the healed acne lesion.

Raised Acne Scars

Raised acne scars or keloid scars are less common than "ice-pick" type acne scarring.

Pigment Acne Scars

A number of acne lesions can form, or move, to the surface of the skin. Such lesions include blackheads and pustules (pus-filled acne lesion on the surface of the skin). Due the unwanted presence of such blemishes on the face, acne patients are tempted to burst or squeeze such skin imperfections prematurely.

Since these acne lesions are closer to the upper layer of the skin than deep acne lesions like cysts, pustules and blackheads generally do no leave indented acne scars.

This is because their anti-inflammatory healing process involves less collagen repair and little if any fat loss.

Nevertheless, because acne lesions like pustules and blackheads are on the surface of the skin, their repair can involve the build-up of skin scales to repair the opened wound. The build-up of skin cells concentrates the brown skin pigment melanin, which creates the circular, darker toned scars where the acne lesion once resided.

Given that the skin is designed to repair itself, not all acne lesions are doomed to result in acne scarring.

Allowing your body time to remove pore inflammation and expel cellular waste emitted by acne lesions create an optimal environment for a scar-less healing of your acne marks.

So, the next time you have an acne lesion, before you do anything crazy like pop it or squeeze it, ask yourself, "If I do this now, am I going to give myself an acne scar?" Think about it.

Naweko San-Joyz founded Noixia [http://www.Noixia.com] - a self-service image makeover company. San-Joyz has authored several books and articles that focus on do-it-yourself beauty makeovers including “Acne Messages: Crack the code of your zits and say goodbye to acne” and “Skinny Fat Chicks: Why we’re still not getting this dieting thing”. She lives and works in San Diego, California.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

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Acne Scarring

The news is, acne scarring is permanent but can be treated. A final solution for your acne scarring is to have major plastic surgery. Most sever acne is NOT controlled by food, cleanliness, or OTC meds.
However, acne scarring is commonly more significant than this. Acne Scarring is visible markings, lumps or indentations on the skin's surface resulting from scar tissue which has formed as part of the healing proc. The only way to completely prevent acne scarring is by properly treating acne lesions as soon as they form.
The most effective way to prevent acne scarring is to leave the acne alone, however this doesn't mean you can't seek expert advice on how best to treat your acne. Acne scarring is most often the result of self-excoriate behavior such as the tendency to pick or squeeze the pimples.
Moderate to sever acne include: nodules, cysts, rosacea and conglobata. For moderate to sever acne, it is advisable to consult with a dermatologist.
Oral Antibiotics:
These are available by prescription for moderate to sever acne. A new topical treatment of moderate to sever acne can help and it's best to ask your dermatologist first.
Physicians say that the scarring itself represents only a small part of the actual damage.
Acne suffers are aware that where there is acne there will be scarring as well. Many people have the common pimple or breakout, but for a few of the unlucky acne sufferers, acne can cause scarring. Any scarring will improve with time.
Doctors advise people not to squeeze acne themselves, because scarring can result.
Adjacent, no overlapping laser pulses are delivered over the scars. The ultra pulsed carbon dioxide laser, the erbium YAG laser and the pulsed dye yellow light laser are most commonly used for treating acne scarring.
For the improvement of facial acne scarring: a systematic review of the evidence check out Laser resurfacing of the skin The Harmony Pixel Laser is proving to be highly effective in the treatment of acne scarring.
Numerous medical studies have documented the effectiveness of Nd:YAG laser treatments for acne scarring. Acne scar laser treatment is administered by experienced medical staff who have been properly trained in this area. Laser therapy for acne and acne scarring works by targeting the sebaceous, oily glands that cause bacterial entrapment.
Scar reduction is one of the most common uses of laser skin resurfacing. Recent research shows Acne Rosacea can be successfully treated with yellow laser with no side effects. The erbium laser typically is used to produce superficial resurfacing.
Laser skin resurfacing has added to the numerous treatment options available for acne scarring. The latest treatment options for acne scarring are lasers, such as the pulsed carbon dioxide (CO2) laser and the Erbium:YAG laser. There are many treatment options for those who suffer from chronic consistent acne.
The good news is that there are numerous treatment options now available to treat acne scarring. Fortunately there are topical treatment options, depending on the kind of scarring. The first thing to do is to get good advice about the options.
Laser treatment is one of the newer options for getting rid of acne. As with any surgery, it is important to understand the options and procedures. Laser resurfacing is a recent addition to the armamentarium of options for acne scarring. Electrolysis and laser are the best options. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment options for you.
However, acne scarring is commonly more significant than this. One more cause of acne scarring is the pinching and squeezing of acne. A final solution for your acne scarring is to have major plastic surgery. Acne scarring is one of the most embarrassing skin problems faced by many, but help is out there, so make the most of it.
Acne scarring is permanent but can be treated. The only way to completely prevent acne scarring is by properly treating acne lesions as soon as they form. Acne scarring is almost as embarrassing as actual pimples.
Acne scarring is one of the great misfortunes of many people, young and old. For the lucky majority, acne scarring is a minor annoyance, difficult for others to visualize. Acne scarring is what most teenagers and adults fear. Acne scarring is the end result of the body's healing process.

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