When looking for ways to get rid of acne scars you may have come across various different treatment options. It is difficult to know what the best treatments are and whether they work? In this article we will look at the various treatment options avalable and discuss whether invasive surgical treatments are better than topical creams and ointments.
When deciding on the best course of treatment, you need to know what type of scars you have.This will then establish what the best type of treatment is. The scars can often look like small holes or open poors or like shallow pits. They can also look like a raised mass of tissue or just small imperfections.
If you have shallow scars and small imperfections you might think about treatments such as dermabrasion, chemical peels and laser resurfacing. These treatments work by removing the top layer of skin in order to remove the scars and leave a smoother surface. Even though these procedures are very quick, taking between 30 minutes to an hour, they are very expensive. Laser resurfacing is an expensive option, however, costing around $3000 per treatment, whilst chemical peels are cheaper, costing around $750 per treatment. You may need to have a few treatments until you get the result you want. The skin is usually red and swollen after the treatment and it can take a few weeks to recover.
You could also try dermal filler which involves materials such as collagen, fat and polymer implants being injected into the depressed area of the scar to help raise it to the level of the surrounding skin. The disadvantage of this is that the results only last between three to six monthsand cost anything from $300-$1200.
If you have more severe scarring then punch techniques or subcision procedures are recommended. These are done under anesthetic and involve cutting the scar from the skin. These treatments are less expensive, costing less than $200 per treatment, but may require a few treatments. You may experience some bruising and swelling afterwards which may last for several weeks.
Trying to get rid of acne scars can be a difficult process which may need a combination of treatments to get the best results. An example is that punch techniques or subcision for deeper scars might need to be combined with chemical peels or laser resurfacing to smooth the skin.
The advantages of these types of invasive treatments are that they are quick to perform and are effective in getting rid acne scars after only a few treatments. However, these treatments are extremely costly and not without risks.
If you are not sure about invasive treatments, then there are other options available. The use of topical creams, ointments and gels can help in getting rid of scars by softening, smoothing and reducing fine acne scarring. Milder creams can be bought over the counter, but stronger medications can only be obtained through prescription.Some of the commercial brands of creams and gels available to get rid of acne scars include Medema gel, Alpha Hydroxy skin treatment and Bio Oil.
Using acne scar creams are certainly a cheaper option than more invasive treaments, but they do not work effectviely for everyone. This is not a quick fix treatment and will often take time and patience before you see any results.
Acne scarring, especially on the face, can really affect your self-confidence and self-esteem. What treatment is suitable really all depends on the types of scars you have and how quickly and effectively you want to get rid of them. It seems that invasive treatments are the quickest an most effective option, but they can be very expensive and have side effects. Of course, creams and ointments are a cheaper option, but will take a much longer time to see results, if at all. Even though in the end it’s your choice, it’s always best to consult with your doctor or dermatologist first.
If you want to know more about acne scar treatment or treating acne cysts then please take a look at my Clear Skin Guide website.
