Acne Scar Treatment

Acne is the most common skin problem that affects over 70% of teenagers and young adults. Acne eruptions can be frustrating enough, but the scar tissue that acne leaves behind feels really awful. Acne scars reduce one’s quality of life and have significant emotional and psychological effects leading to social embarrassment and withdrawal, decreased confidence, low self-esteem and depression.

It is important to understand, educate and create awareness that before starting the treatment for acne scars, you should first treat the acne since new acne can lead to new scars and thus defeat the entire goal of treating acne scarring.

Acne scars are broadly divided into four types:

1. Ice Pick Scars
2. Boxcar Scars
3. Rolling Scars
4. Keloid & Hypertrophic Scars

 Acne scar removal treatment methods are many, and the choice of treatment for acne scars depends on the types and severity of scars. Because no one ever has just one type of scar, a combination of different acne scar treatments is usually required for complete acne scar removal as there is no single best treatment. So it is highly recommended that you visit an experienced dermatologist for careful assessment and detailed discussion about the therapeutic options.

The various treatment options for Acne scar include:

1. Microdermabrasion: It is the surgical removal or exfoliation of the outer layer of skin on acne scars. Skin conditions with superficial acne scars can be treated by microdermabrasion.
   
   
2. Microneedling: This procedure uses small needles to create controlled micro-injury to the skin. This helps to stimulate the body’s own collagen production and smooth acne scarring.
   
   
3. Microneedling Radiofrequency (MNRF): It is the most popular of all types of acne scar treatment. It is more suitable for our skin type as the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is minimal with MNRF.
   
   
4. Laser Scar Treatment: Fractional laser treatment for acne scars uses a focused beam of light to treat the acne, simultaneously preserving the normal surrounding tissue. It works best when combined with other modalities of treatment.
   
   
5. Subcision: It is a simple and common skin procedure, low-cost solution to severe acne scarring whereby a needle is used to break apart the fibrous bands of tissue that prevent the skin from laying in its natural position.
   
   
6. TCA CROSS: This is a type of chemical peel used for mild to moderate icepick scars.
   
   
7. Dermal fillers: They improve the skin’s appearance by injecting a filler directly into the acne scar.
   
   
8. Excision and punch graft: It involves cutting the skin to remove the acne scar and then stitching the wound. The scar is removed with a special tool in punch replacement grafting and a skin graft – usually taken from behind the ear – fills the wound.