When a person has severe acne, she may develop deep acne scars, also called acne craters. An acne crater is a deep indentation in the skin. This type of scar stays with a person years after acne has disappeared. The scaring can lower self confidence and cause emotional distress. Fortunately, there are treatment options that can minimize the appearance of acne scars and craters. Treatments are typically performed by a board certified dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon.
Step 1
Schedule cytotoxic injections. For this treatment, a dermatologist injects a medication into the acne site. The two most common medications are Fluorouacil, which is also used for cancer treatments and bleomycin, which is an antibiotic. Some doctors inject a steroid at the same time to improve results. Depending on the severity of craters, up to five treatments are required.
Step 2
Talk with your doctor about microdermabrasion treatments. A doctor uses a suctioning devise to move small crystals around the skin. The movement on the skin allows outer skin cells to detach, promoting new skin growth. This treatment requires up to 15 sessions, depending on your situation.
Step 3
Ask about augmentation procedures. Filler material, such as fat or silicone, is injected into the acne scar site. When a doctor uses fat, the material is taken from your own body. Typically, it's taken from the thighs, abdomen area or buttocks. Repeat procedures are usually needed, depending on acne severity.
Step 4
Consider a subcision procedure. With this procedure, the doctor cuts out scar tissue under the skin. This causes a blood clot under the skin and new tissue starts to re-grow. A doctor may need to repeat the procedure up to three times to get the desired results.
Step 5
Consult with your doctor about chemical peels. For severe acne scars, such as craters, a deep chemical peel may be needed. This procedure is completed by a plastic surgeon. She uses a acidic solution to get rid of layers of the skin that are scared. This allows new skin to grow. A deep chemical peel requires general anesthesia and is considered a major medical procedures.
Tips and Warnings
- Every person's scars are different. If your acne scars aren't responding to a treatment, don't get discouraged. Instead, partner with your doctor to try a different approach.
- Talk with your physician about side effects before selecting a treatment for acne scaring. Some treatments have more serious side effects than others. Weighing the pros and cons will assist in making the right decision.
Member Comments