Acne occurs when the pores become blocked and erupt into inflamed pustules. It is most common during adolescence when the oil glands in the skin are at their most active. Acne can cause scarring in severe cases and may require medical treatment. Common procedures for treating acne scars include dermabrasion, chemical peels and laser resurfacing. The factors that determine the best course of treatment include the area to be treated, the depth of the scarring and the patient's complexion.
Step 1
Treat mild acne scars. Scars and other blemishes that exist only in the upper layers of skin may be treated most effectively with a chemical peel. This method involves applying a solution of glycolic acid to the skin for a specific period of time so the acid can break up the network of skin cells on the surface of the skin. The dermatologist then peels off the solution, taking these skin cells with it.
Step 2
Improve acne scars on the face with laser resurfacing. This technique is most commonly used on the face because its skin heals more quickly than the skin on other parts of the body. Lasers are effective for treating deep scarring but they also have longer recovery times than other methods.
Step 3
Consider dermabrasion if you have very light or very dark skin. This treatment involves the use of a tool that removes the layers of skin mechanically. The tool head has a diamond coating and typically rotates between 18,000 and 36,000 times per second. Dermabrasion is commonly the preferred choice of treatment when the acne scars are located elsewhere on the body besides the face.
Step 4
Recover from an acne scar treatment. Dermabrasion and laser resurfacing frequently require dressings that must be changed daily. Dermabrasion typically requires a dressing for five days while laser resurfacing may need a dressing for 10 days. Some dermatologists may prefer open wound care which requires the treatment area to be frequently soaked in a solution of salt water or acetic acid.
Things You'll Need
- Salt water solution
- Acetic acid solution
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