Acne is generally the result of clogged pores that become inflamed and form pustules. It occurs most often during adolescence when the sebaceous glands in the skin are at their most active. Acne can result in pitted scars when the pustules rupture and fail to heal properly. Dermatologists may recommend treatments for acne scars that include chemical peels, dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, dermal fillers and excision.
Chemical Peels
One of the most popular treatment for acne scars, chemical peels consist of a solution of glycolic acid and additional ingredients that will cause the solution to have a gel-like consistency when it dries. The solution may then be peeled off after it dissolves the upper layer of skin. Chemical peels can vary greatly in strength, with the versions used by dermatologists containing from 20 to 70 percent glycolic acid.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is the process of abrading the skin through some mechanical means. The tools used to perform dermabrasion typically contain a diamond-tipped head that rotates from 18,000 to 35,000 times per minute. The dermatologist controls the tool manually, so the results of dermabrasion are more dependent upon the skill of the operator than other methods of acne treatment.
Laser Resurfacing
A laser uses heat to remove the layers of skin affected by acne. The light produced by the laser has a wavelength that is easily absorbed by the skin. The most common types of lasers used in resurfacing the skin include yttrium, aluminum and garnet (YAG) lasers and carbon dioxide lasers. Resurfacing with the YAG lasers requires a shorter recovery time, but the results aren't yet as consistent as those of the carbon dioxide lasers.
Dermal Fillers
A dermal filler is a substance that the dermatologist injects under the skin to fill out the pitting that acne can cause. The most common dermal fillers include collagen, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and silicon. Collagen and silicon produce temporary results, but PMMA is generally considered to be a permanent dermal filler.
Excision
Dermatologists generally recommend surgical excision only for hard, raised scars known as keloid scars. This procedure is rarely performed on acne scars since they're usually pitted rather than raised. The dermatologist cuts out the keloid scar and stitches the resulting wound closed with sutures. The surgical scar from the incision will normally be much less obvious than the original keloid scar.
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