How to Get Rid of Acne Scars

Acne scars are caused by the body's inflammation response to acne lesions. The best way to avoid acne scars is to treat acne early and as long as needed.

People differ as to how acne scars affect them. One person may not be bothered by her scars, while another person with the same type and amount of scarring will be very troubled by it. If you do seek treatment for acne scars, get a couple of opinions from dermatologist as to whether scar treatment is justified in your case and what treatment will be most effective for you.

There are four types of acne scars. They are:

1. Ice pack scars. These are sharp pointed pits that look like they were made by an ice pick.
2. Boxed scars. These are squarish U shaped pits.
3. Rolling scars. These scars are shallow with wide pits.
4. Hypertrophic or keloid scars. These rise above the surface of the skin and may diminish with time.

Remember total restoration of skin to its condition before acne is rarely possible. The following are the most common treatments for acne scars:

COLLAGEN INJECTION

Collagen is injected under the skin to stretch and fill out scars. It does not work well for ice pick scars and keloids. This treatment lasts from 3 to 6 months. Ask your Doctor about costs.

AUTOLGENES FAT TRANSFER

Your own fat is collected and injected into your skin to raise depressed scars. It is usually used to treat deep scars and lasts from 6 to 18 months.
Ask your Doctor about costs.

DERMABRASION

This is generally thought to be the most effective treatment. A high-speed brush removes surface skin and alters the shape of scars. It requires time away from work or school. Cost is about $1500 per treatment.

MICRODERMABRASION

This is a relatively new treatment that uses aluminum oxide crystals passing through a vacuum tube to remove surface skin. Multiple treatments are usually required and skin is usually not much improved. Ask your Doctor about costs.

LASER TREATMENT

Lasers are used to recontour the skin and reduce the redness around healed acne lesions. There will be post treatment redness for several months. Cost is about $3000 per treatment.

SKIN SURGERY

Ice pick scars are removed by "punch" removal of each scar. Sutures or small skin grafts may then repair each "punch". Cost is about $50 per "punch. Subcision surgery uses a surgical probe to lift scar tissue away from unscarred skin. Ask you Doctor about costs.

SKIN GRAFTING

Skin grafting is used when dermabrasion uncovers deep and extensive tunnels. Skin grafting is used to cover over the tunnels. Costs vary.

CHEMICAL PEELS

This treatment is useful only for very mild scarring. Cost is about $750 per treatment.

LEMON AND VINAGaR

This is a home remedy that many people swear by. You drink a glass of water with one-half teaspoon of lemon juice. Then you dilute vinegar, four parts water to one part water. Clean your face as usual and then dab on the vinegar mixture with a cotton ball.