Acne Treatments
Acne is a skin condition that affects up to 80% of the population in their teens and twenties, and approximately 5% of adults. While many of us recover from acne without scarring, some people are left with severe disfiguring scars on their face, neck and back. Psychologically, acne scarring can affect self-esteem and confidence in social situations, and may lead to anxiety and depression, especially in teens.
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Acne treatment procedures
Collagen Injection
Collagen use for acne treatment works in the same way as collagen injections that help plump lips and refine wrinkles. Bovine (cow) or porcine (pig) collagen is refined and injected under the pitted scar to help raise it to the level of the surrounding skin. You will be tested for allergy to collagen prior to treatment, and the sterilized collagen will be injected using a fine needle. The risks for this treatment of acne scarring are minimal, and the after-effects are very mild. You may experience some tenderness and swelling around the area for the day following the surgery, but you will be able to return to normal activity the same day as your treatment. Typically, collagen injections cost from $300 to $500, and maintenance treatments may be required in some cases. Other injectable fillers similar to collagen may be an option for you, too. Ask your dermatologist about injectable fillers like Restylane and Hyaluronic acid.
Autologous Fat Transfer
Autologous fat transfer, or fat grafting, uses your own fat drawn from an inconspicuous area on your body and reinserts it under a pitted acne scar to add volume. Also used in wrinkle treatment and to add volume to lips, this is a safe method to even out acne scars. Because the filler is from your own fat, there is no chance of allergic reaction, and no pre-testing needed. There are minimal risks associated with fat transfer, however there may be a need for follow-up treatments as the fat is reabsorbed into your system. Fat transfer costs are variable, but the range is approximately $500 to $1,500 depending on the volume to be harvested and injected.
Punch Grafts
To treat deep, pitted acne scars, punch grafts are used to replace the old skin with new. The scarred skin is first removed or punched out using a special tool, and then new skin is taken from another part of the body and grafted on top to give the scar a new surface. The new skin is then taped onto the scar area for five to seven days to allow it to heal. The new skin will form a new scar; however the result will be improved from the acne scar. There is some risk involved in punch grafting, as there is always a risk for infection and further scarring. Make sure you look at before and after photos of your doctor’s previous acne treatment experience to determine if you are willing to undergo the risk of a poor outcome. This treatment costs approximately $800 to $1200.
Microdermabrasion
Used to help with other skin rejuvenation, dermabrasion and microdermabrasion can help clean the slate for acne scar sufferers. Using a burred brush or diamond studded hand tool to scrape away at the raised scar, dermabrasion is a more aggressive skin treatment. Microdermabrasion is less abrasive: a hand held tool sprays fine aluminum oxide particles over the surface of the scar to remove layers of skin to reveal the new skin underneath. The new skin will heal better, and eventually yield an improved texture and tone. The cost for dermabrasion and microdermabrasion can range from $200 to $800, and while healing time may be longer than chemical peels or laser skin rejuvenation, the results are often more dramatic.
Chemical Peel
There are different strengths of chemical peeling treatments used to treat acne scars. Using chemical solutions, chemical peels remove layers of the skin to help promote new cell growth and ultimately to remove the layers of scarring. Depending on the severity of the acne scar, a mild Alpha Hydroxy acid peel can help treat surface scarring and discoloration. For deeper acne scars, moderate glycolic acid or Trichloroacetic acid peels may be used. To help treat severe damage from acne a very deep peel using Carbolic of Phenol acid can remove deeper layers of skin to treat profound scarring. Your dermatologist will apply the chemical peel in an outpatient setting, and the treatment can last from one to two hours. During the treatment there will be little discomfort; however, your face will be in recovery for several weeks or months following a medium or deep peel. Fees for chemical peels can vary from $500 to $800.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Using a combination of carbon dioxide and one of the many different types of lasers, laser skin resurfacing removes the topmost layers of the skin. Laser skin rejuvenation has long been in use to treat wrinkles and age spots, and acts as a safe and effective acne scar treatment. The skin is removed layer by layer by passing the laser hand tool over the skin. This removing acne scars on different layers, and simultaneously, the heat produced from the laser helps to tighten and lighten the skin, which aids in smoothing scars. The process involves mild discomfort, but healing time is generally faster than chemical peeling or dermabrasion. Laser treatment can cost from $2000 to $5000, with follow-up spot treatments costing much less.
There is little risk associated with acne scar treatment; however you should be aware that while most outcomes are positive and result in a better skin surface and color, some treatments could cause irritation and an outbreak. You doctor will instruct you specifically to avoid the sun in the months following your procedure. There is a variety of surgery after-care products such as oversized sunglasses, hats and scarves designed specifically to help protect the skin from the sun’s harsh rays after skin rejuvenation.
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