The American Academy of Dermatology identifies three type of acne scars: boxcar scars, ice pick scars and rolling scars. Each type of scar damages the skin in a different way. Fortunately, new technologies and procedures are available to remove acne scars.
Acne Scar Surgery
The American Academy of Dermatology identifies surgical scar removal as one of the most effective treatment methods available, especially when it comes to treating rolling scars which are scars that cause a depression or indentation in the skin. Acne scar surgery can involve either punch excision, punch elevation, punch graft or subcutaneous incision. Punch excision involves removing existing acne scars. Punch elevation is performed after the scar has been removed; the depressed area of skin is then elevated to match the rest of the surface of your skin. With a punch graft, the scar is removed and the doctor will use your own skin to fill in the area where the scar once was. Subcutaneous incision is when the doctor uses a probe-like instrument to separate scar tissue from normal skin tissue, which raises the skin and flattens the scarred surface.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing seems to work more effectively for ice pick scars and boxcar scars, these type of scars are not as deep as rolling scars. With this type of scar removal, the doctor will perform a procedure on your skin with laser beams, which creates a very intense light and resurfaces the top layers of your skin. The American Academy of Dermatology and the Acne Scars website state that depending upon the type of laser used, either ablative or non-ablative, you may have some down time as this can create visible wounds. If an ablative laser is used, you will have to apply ointment to the area or areas that were treated and change bandages regularly to prevent infection.
Fillers
With advanced technology, doctors are able to inject fillers beneath scar tissue to raise depressed areas. This process involves a licensed health care provider injecting a filler just beneath the top layers of skin to raise scars. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, injections can consist of hyaluronic acid, collagen, your own fat, polymethylmethacrylate or any other type of filler. Polymethylmethacrylate, or PMMA, is the only permanent injection type, according to the AAD. Collagen, hyaluronic acid and your own body fat injections may need to be repeated several times, as these are not permanent fillers. This means these type of substances can “deflate,” so to speak.
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