Many people who have struggled with acne for an extended period of time are left with acne scarring. Treatment is available for acne scarring and comes in many forms, including skin lightening creams, laser treatments and more. The appropriate treatment depends on the type of scarring that is being treated. Scarring ranges from hyperpigmentation, or skin discoloration, to depressed and raised acne scars, and varies greatly in severity.
Skin Lightening Creams
Bleaching creams and skin lighteners are used primarily for fading hyperpigmentation associated with acne. Hydroquinone is often used in bleaching creams and is available over-the-counter in concentrations of up to 2 percent. Prescription hydroquinone creams are also available. According to Skincarephysicians.com, some treatments used for acne may also have a lightening effect on the skin. Tretinoin, or Retin-A, is one acne medication that may have skin lightening effects.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion may be useful in treating very mild acne scarring or hyperpigmentation. Microdermabrasion involves using a machine to remove the very top layer of skin. Microdermabrasion kits are also available for use in the home. These kits include a handheld device with a sponge on the end that Is used with an exfoliating cream. After a few microdermabrasion treatments, mild scars or hyperpigmentation may be less noticeable. There is virtually no recovery time after microdermabrasion.
Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing is used for patients with depressed and raised acne scars. Laser resurfacing is most effective on moderate scarring, with varying degrees of effectiveness on very deep scarring. According to Abateit.com, laser resurfacing involves using lasers to burn or vaporize the upper layers of skin that contain the majority of the damage. Although the side effects are minimal when the procedure is performed by a skilled physician, complications can occur and include uneven skin pigmentation, increased scarring and infection.
Surgery
Several surgical treatments are available to treat acne scarring. According to the Baylor College of Medicine Department of Dermatology, one method used is subcutaneous incision, or subcision. This involves numbing the skin and then using a needle to break up the scar tissue under the skin and separate it from the skin. Punch excision is another technique and involves cutting out the entire scar and placing a stitch. This method is used most often on narrow but deep scars. Sometimes a small skin graft is placed on the excised area.
Injections
For depressed scars, collagen or a collagen substitute may be injected at the site of the scar. This works to raise the scar as well as to encourage collagen production in that area of skin. For raised scars, corticosteroids may be injected to smooth and flatten them.
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