Acne Scar Treatment

August 31, 2009 by health-writing-team
Filed under Acne

When looking for ways to get rid of acne scars you may have come across various different treatment options. How do you know what the best treatments are and do they work? Below we will discuss whether invasive treatments such as chemical peels and laser resurfacing are better than gentler treatments such as topical creams and ointments.

You really need to know what type of scars you have before deciding on the best course of treament.You will then know what the best type of treatment this. Often the scars look like small holes or open pores, or like shallow pits. They can sometimes look like raised masses of tissue or just small imperfections.

You might want to think about treatments such as dermabrasion, chemical peels and laser resurfacing if you have shallow scars and small imperfections. All these treatments work on the principle of removing the top layer of the skin in order to remove the scars and leave a smoother surface. Even though these procedures are quick, only taking between 30 minutes to an hour, they are very costly. Laser resurfacing is the most expensive, costing around $3000 per treatment, and chemical peels are the cheapest, costing around $750 per treatment. You may need several treatments, however, to achieve the desire result. The skin is usually red and swollen after the treatment and it can take a few weeks to recover.

You could try dermal fillers which inject materials such as collagen, fat and poymer implants into the scar to help raise and level it. Unfortunately the results are only temporary, lasting between three to six months and the treatment costs anything from $300 to £1200.

For more severe scarring punch techniques or subcision procedures are recommended. These treatments involve cutting the scar from the skin and are done under anesthetic. These treatments are not as expensive, less than $200 per treatment, but you may need a few treatments to get effective results. You may experience some bruising and swelling afterwards which may last for several weeks.

Trying to get rid of acne scars can be a difficult process which may need a combination of treatments to get the best results. An example is that punch techniques or subcision for deeper scars might need to be combined with chemical peels or laser resurfacing to smooth the skin.

The advantages of these types of treatment are that they are quick to perform and you can start to see the results after only a few treatments. However, these treatments are extremely costly and not without risks.

If you are still unsure about invasive treatments, there are still other treatment options on offer.Fine acne scarring can be softening, smoothed and reduced by the use of topical creams, ointments and gels. Milder creams can be bought over the counter, but stronger medications can only be obtained through prescription.Some of the commercial brands of creams and gels available to get rid of acne scars include Medema gel, Alpha Hydroxy skin treatment and Bio Oil.

Even though acne scar creams are a cheaper option to more invasive treatments, they may not be as effective. This is no quick fix as this type of treatment will often take time and patience before any results are seen.

Acne scarring, especially on the face, can really affect your self-confidence and self-esteem. What treatment you choose really all depends on the types of scars you have, how they are affecting your life and how quickly and effectively you want them gone. Invasive treatments certainly seem to be a quick and effective option, but on the negative side they are expensive and not risk free. Creams and ointments are a cheaper method of getting rid of scars but it will take a much longer time to see results, if at all. In the end, it is your choice, but it’s advisable to consult your doctor or dermatologist.

If you want to know more about acne scar treatment or treating acne cysts then please take a look at my Clear Skin Guide website.

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Tags: Acne Scar Treatment, Acne Scars, How To Get Rid Of Acne Scars, treatment for acne scars