Acne is a common skin infection that affects over 80% of youth and 5% of adults. When acne eventually heals, it leaves ugly blemishes called acne scars. These become permanent if they are not treated in time. Acne scars are damaging to the ego and personality of an individual, and a lot of time and money has been invested in research to treat this problem.
Acne scars are classified by size, shape and appearance they are identified as Icepick, Boxcar and Rolling. They are also tagged as early or permanent on the basis of their duration. Early scars respond well to topical medications. Permanent scars require surgical intervention. Presently, scars are treated with combinations of topical skin care medications in tandem with carefully selected surgical and skin resurfacing procedures.
At least a half dozen surgical procedures are also performed to repair acne scars. Each has benefits and pitfalls and a surgeon will closely examine the patient’s age, sex, medical history, skin type and type of scarring before agreeing to perform surgery. Cost is also discussed, as it can be quite expensive.
When dermal fillers are used, a surgeon will inject fillers such as collagen and hyaluronic acid derivatives into the skin. This raises the base of the scar to the level of normal skin. The “punch excision” procedure is used in
icepick and boxcar type scars and relies on making incisions in the skin with a punch biopsy tool and stitching the skin edges together. The new scar heals, leaving a clear skin. Punch excision with skin graft replacement is a variant of the punch excision method. Instead of suturing the skin after excision, surgeons use a skin graft to repair the scar. Punch elevation is used on deep boxcar scars that have sharp edges and normal appearing bases. Here the base of the scar is excised and elevated to the surface of the skin. Sutures and glue are used to join the edges together. Subcutaneous Incision is used for treating rolling scars and centers on the use of a special beveled needle that is inserted under the skin and used to cut the binding tissue in the scar. The resulting bruises fade after about 1 week. Laser resurfacing is used to burn the top layer of the skin and reduce it to the same level as the base of the scars.
Prevention is always better than cure. Simple precautions such as avoiding strong sunlight, using medications like tretinoin and alpha hydroxyl acids, avoiding picking scabs, regular exercising and dietary control go a long way in preventing acne scars and saving a lot of embarrassment and expenses.
Related Articles of Interest :
-
Acne Scar Treatment
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Acne scars develop after severe cases or when the acne has been forcibly picked or scratched. There are many types of acne scars, each entirely treatable. The only sure method of acne scar treatment is prevention early on. In general, you should never pick or...
-
Adult Acne Solutions
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Acne is a common skin infection that affects mostly teenagers. However, not only teens suffer from acne, Adults too are also affected by this problem. A complete understanding of acne continues to baffle experts. What really precipitates acne? Why does it disappear without apparent reason...
-
Acne Scars
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Scarring is an inevitable outcome of significant skin inflammation. The deeper the scars, the longer it takes to completely remove them. Acne scars are caused by either increased tissue formation or loss of tissue. The best possible means for prevention of acne scars can be...
-
Acne Scar Products
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Experts agree, picking at your acne to make it go away is a bad idea. Picking leaves scars that may never heal. Better to keep your hands in your pockets and find a product to do the job. There are plenty: Clearasil Clearstick, Kelo-Cote, Neutrogena...
-
Acne Solutions
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
The onset of puberty is often signaled by the appearance of tiny reddish bumps on the skin – especially the face. These bumps or pimples better as acne become infected and scar the skin, sending teenagers and adults rushing to the medicine cabinet for an...
-
Best Acne Solutions
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Most everybody has to deal with acne at one time or the other. Acne is especially noticeable during teen years when individuals are the most self-conscious about their looks and wish to make a favorable impression. The disfiguring effects of acne (especially on the face)...
-
Body Acne Solutions
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Surveys reveal that over 75% of people having facial acne also suffer from body acne as well. Of these 90% carry this infection on their back, neck, shoulders and chest. A small percentage has acne on their legs and abdomen. While facial acne is undoubtedly...
-
Effective Acne Treatments for Teenagers
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Acne affects virtually all teenagers at one point or another, to varying degrees. Teen acne is hereditary and is brought on by hormonal changes related to menstrual periods, pregnancy, birth control pills, or stress; oily hair and skin products; certain drugs such as steroids, testosterone,...
-
Adult Acne Medication
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Acne is a skin condition that affects areas of the body containing the largest oil glands, such as the nose, forehead, cheeks, chin, back, and trunk. It is caused by a disorder of the oil glands, called sebaceous glands, and results in clogged pores and...
-
Home Acne Solutions
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Almost everybody encounters acne at some stage in life. Without exception, all acne victims have one question in mind, “how do I get rid of these zits and have a normal skin like everybody else?” People are willing to try almost any remedy, however bizarre...