Even though acne typically disappears by the early twenties, acne scars can remain for a lifetime and may be extremely disfiguring. In spite of this there are ways to heal any scarring, so what is the best acne scar treatment for you? There are a range of therapies existing, but most of them are not cheap therefore you need to carefully consider them before you make a decision on the right one for you.
Microdermabrasion is suitable for small acne scars that are raised above the skin’s surface. This basically exfoliates the skin and eradicates dead and damaged skin on the surface. It is not suitable for deep scars or those that are sunk below the skin surface. In this technique a device is used to spray extremely small crystals onto the the skin in a pressurized stream. The crystals used are typically aluminium oxide but others, for example magnesium oxide, zinc oxide or sodium chloride, can be used as an alternative. This removes the very top layer of the skin and also cleans out pores. An added benefit is that it removes dead skin cells. It is not a hazardous procedure and does not need any recuperation period.
Laser Skin Rejuvenation is a moderate treatment that does not take away the skin’s top layer as other laser techniques do but makes use of rays of light which get through to the lower levels of the skin. This increases the growth of collagen which then starts to fill up the scars in the subsequent months. There is no recovery time as there isn’t any injury to the skin and it takes only around twenty minutes to complete. There may possibly be a little skin reddening which is short-lived and is easily covered by the use of makeup. Laser skin rejuvenation treatments are typically done over about four weeks with about five or six treatments.
Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing is available in two different forms called ablative and non-ablative. Healing from non-ablative laser treatment is much quicker and is typically used for mild scarring. The laser damages the skin close to the scars which brings about the growth of extra collagen in these areas which then helps to heal the scar. This procedure is often regarded as one of the best acne scar treatments, however it is also the most costly.
Acne Scar Thermage Treatment is an alternative procedure which uses radio frequency waves and is usually used for fine lines and wrinkles on the skin. This treatment increases the growth of collagen and for that reason doesn’t heal scars in the same way as fractional laser skin resurfacing. It is pain free and is not invasive and takes less than an hour.
Dermal Filling is usually temporary and consists of injections of collagen which help to fill the scars. A few months later the filling material used is absorbed by the body. The collagen is derived from either animal or other natural sources therefore if you’re using collagen derived from animals you will need to be tested for allergies before use. Some newer dermal fillers, for instance Restylane®, use synthetic materials which don’t have the risk of an allergic reaction and generally last much longer than other collagen treatments. If you are looking for a cheap, although short-lived method, this could be the best acne scar treatment for you.
Chemical Peels aren’t so common as they were formerly as acne scar treatments such as laser skin resurfacing are being used more frequently as an alternative. However they are reasonably useful for mild to moderate acne scarring as they essentially remove the top layer of the skin which then causes new unscarred, healthy skin to grow. The most widespread type of chemical peel incorporates glycolic acid which is a natural acid derived from plants and fruit. Chemical peels only take about 20 minutes and is nearly painless though there may possibly be a little stinging. Side effects can include dryness and redness of the skin which possibly will last from a couple of days to over a week depending on the kind and severity of the chemical peel method. A course of a minimum of three treatments is needed to notice any clear improvement in scarring.
Final thoughts
Which is the best acne scar treatment? This will really be dependant on the amount of scarring you have and, of course, on your budget. Some of the most useful acne scar treatments are costly and involve repeated visits to be effective. Think about how deep your scarring is and arrange a discussion with a dermatologist to talk about the laser treatment for scars that will suit you best.
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