How Do I Get Rid Of Acne Scars?

Acne scars can often be treated to very good effect and, while it is not always possible to make them vanish altogether, it is often possible to get very close to removing all trace of them.

Dermabrasion is a commonly used treatment for a wide range of skin conditions including cases of mild to moderate acne scarring. A local anesthetic is applied to the skin and a high speed brush is then used to remove layers of skin and, with them, any acne scar tissue. Once the skin has naturally regenerated the scarring is either completely removed or is much less obvious.

Microdermabrasion is a variation of the standard dermabrasion procedure in which, instead of using a high speed brush, aluminum oxide crystals are passed rapidly through a vacuum hose which is moved over the skin. This is a little bit like a refined version of 'sand blasting' and is less invasive that dermabrasion. This treatment is often used for cases of mild acne scarring, although it can also be used in more severe cases where the results will often not be as good as those obtained with normal dermabrasion.

For some patients the use of carbon dioxide lasers can be effective and change both the contour and size of scars. In many cases a single treatment is sufficient, however redness caused by what is in effect the burning away of the surface skin tissue can last for several weeks.

In some cases surgery using a technique known as 'punching' is used to remove icepick scars. The scar is cut out down to fat layer below the skin and the resulting hole is repaired either by stitching or by applying a small skin graft.

Keloids (shiny pink or red scars which extend beyond the site of the original injury) do not respond well to dermabrasion, laser treatment or surgery as alterations to the structure of the skin frequently encourages the formation of further keloids. In this case therefore a topical retinoid is applied or a steroid-type drug is injected into the skin around the scar. Keloids are particularly difficult to treat results vary markedly from one person to the next.

Acne Cream Differin Differin is the brand name for a retinoid-like drug known as adapalene which controls, but does not cure, acne. Pimples typically take 6 to 8 weeks to form under the skin and, during the first weeks of treatment, Differin may cause these pimples to come to the surface and thus appear to make your condition worse. Read more

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Using A Natural Nodular Acne Treatment Nodular acne is a severe form of regular acne (acne vulgaris) and consists of larger than normal pimples which can be quite painful and last for many months. Read more

Women and Acne Women have a hard time when it comes to acne because they tend to be judged more on their looks than men and their hormonal system makes them more prone to acne at certain times. Read more

What Is Meant By Acne Vulgaris Acne vulgaris is simply the full name for what we commonly call acne. Read more