The best treatments for acne scars

The best treatments for acne scars

Teenage years can be a confusing time as a person goes through many physical and emotional changes. Studying will also be hard and everyone will expect more responsible behavior, which is not always easy.

Acne has a way of appearing suddenly and can ruin the perfect look. Fortunately, for most people it goes away with puberty. However, not everyone is so lucky and for some people acne can be a problem for many years.

There are a number of problems associated with chronic acne. In addition to the cosmetic effect, acne can also have physical symptoms such as pain and pus discharge. If left uncontrolled, acne can have real frightening effects.

To counteract acne scars, appropriate corrective treatments are necessary. Traditionally, people have relied on surgical removal of scars. However, the available non-surgical and minimally invasive treatments are preferred by people due to equally good results and no long downtime or serious side effects.

These non-surgical treatments deserve a closer look as they promise very good results. Let's take a closer look at these to learn more about them and how they help get rid of those unwanted scars.

Laser skin resurfacing

The laser used for this is the Fractional CO2. This is a fractional version of the carbon dioxide laser that drills microscopic holes into the skin, bringing it back to the surface and placing healthier skin over it. This happens when the damaged skin becomes crusty. The treatment also helps increase collagen and elastin production, which further smoothes the skin.

Fractional CO2 treatment of acne scars is considered to be equally good as surgical scar removal with no downtime. The side effects are also fairly mild and temporary. To completely remove a scar, the treatment must be repeated a few times. Pain occurs during treatment, which is counteracted with the help of local anesthetics.

Dermabrasion

This is a treatment that uses a special wire brush to exfoliate the top layer of skin to remove the acne scars. As the skin heals, the problem occurs less. The treatment also increases collagen levels in the skin.

This highly invasive treatment is performed after the administration of a local or topical anesthesia. Similar to other non-invasive treatments, it also needs to be repeated a few times to completely remove the scars. Side effects are present and there is a short downtime, so make sure you have days off after a treatment session.

Microdermabrasion

It is an advanced model of dermabrasion that is minimally invasive in nature. It works by spraying tiny crystals onto the skin using a handheld device. The crystals cause injuries to the skin, which initiates the healing process. As the skin heals, the appearance of scars diminishes. At the same time, more collagen is produced, which helps tighten the skin.

The treatment is a midday treatment with no downtime. Side effects are also negligible and usually last a day or two. To relieve pain, topical anesthesia is often used before treatment. The scars can be removed within a few treatment sessions.

Chemical peels

These acidic solutions are readily available at drugstores without a prescription. Doing it yourself seems like an attractive option, but keep in mind that it can lead to damaged skin, so it's best to leave it to the professionals.

The peels are only suitable for mild acne scars. They are applied to the damaged area and left there for about twenty minutes before being removed. The skin recovers and the appearance of scars is reduced. Similar to other non-surgical treatments, chemical peels also increase collagen levels in the skin.

Depending on the strength of the peels, the treatment may need to be repeated more than once. Depending on the strength of the peels, local or topical anesthesia is used. Side effects are generally not very serious and there is usually little to no downtime.

Dermal fillers

Dermal fillers are injections made from natural fat and collagen. To counteract acne scars, they are injected into the scar site. This increases the appearance of the skin in the area and improves the smoothness of the surface. The fillers need a few days to develop their full effect.

The period of effectiveness of the fillers varies. Your results can last from a few weeks to a few years. The fillers can then be used again to maintain the fantastic results. It is important to see a doctor before receiving fillers to ensure you are a good candidate for treatment.

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