Acne scars develop when an acne lesion--or pimple--does damage to the underlying layers of the skin. The resulting scars can come in different types, notes an article posted on American Chronicle. Indentations or depressions in the skin called ice pick, boxcar or rolling scars form as a result of lost tissue and collagen. Raised fleshy growth scars called keloids form when too much collagen is produced and excess tissue is created.
Types of Acne Scar Treatment
Acne.org notes the different types of acne scar treatments available. Treatments ssuch as chemical peels, which use an acid solution, dermabrasion, which uses a rapidly rotating wire brush, and laser surgery, which uses heated lasers, focus on wounding the skin in order to inspire collagen production to form new, less blemished skin. Injections like those used in augmentation or cytotoxic treatments focus on replacing the collagen artificially or breaking down the collagen fibers, in the instance of keloids.
Per-Scar Charges
If the acne scarring is relatively minor or there are only a few more severe blemishes, then treatments that focus on costs per scar work out the cheapest. For instance, according to Acne.org, cytotoxic injections cost $100 to $150 per scar and cyrosurgery, the removal of raised scars with liquid nitrogen, or punch techniques, the removal of indented scars via surgical removal, are $75 to $150 and $250 to $300 respectively.
More Expensive Treatments
For more severe cases of acne scarring, treatments such as deep chemical peels at $2,500 to $6,000; dermabrasion $1,500; and laser resurfacing at $3,000 to $6,000, can be employed. Cheaper versions of both chemical peels and laser resurfacing are available, but the treatments do not penetrate so deeply into the skin, therefore will not be adequate for treatment of more severe scarring.
Multiple Treatment Sessions
Each type of treatment will often require more than one session and, as Mayo Clinic says, due to the stubbornness of acne scarring, a combination of different treatments may be required. For instance, dermabrasion is often used several weeks after punch technique surgery in order to smooth out the skin. Augementation injections, otherwise known as soft tissue fillers, only last for several months before the indentations begin to appear again.
Considerations
Side effects are to be expected from clinical treatments for acne scarring. Bleeding, scabbing, bruising and swelling can last several days after a session. A red"'windburned" look to the skin can last for months after dermabrasion treatment. Hyper pigmentation--skin darkening--or keloid formation are real, albeit unlikely, possible side effects. Consult with your doctor to discuss the best clinical scar treatment for your condition.
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