Acne Scars - Causes Prevention and Treatment

Acne Scars - Causes

Acne problem is most common with teenagers. Almost over 80% teenagers are affected by acne. Most escape with minor acne scars and few lucky enough get away without any at all. But major are left to suffer from acne scars.

There are basically two types of skin problems caused due to acne and recognized as acne scars. First is red pigmentation that occurs after acne has healed. These are contrary to the common belief. These are post-inflammatory lesions. They normally disappear in 6-12 months. Second is the pigmentation those stay longer than the 6-12 months period. In these case there is fear of acne scars.

Commonly acne scars appears as the connective tissues, which our body uses to heal damage done to an area. Anti-bodies with white blood cells act together to heal the wound caused due acne. These processes of healing are often left with scar, which are acne scars.

Acne Scars - Prevention

Acne scars can develop only if acne is present. So the first aid for acne scars is to prevent acne. As commonly it is said prevention is better then cure. This is best prevention of acne scars. Next to prevent acne scars are to reduce acne healing period. Faster acne wounds are healed; less will be the visibility of the acne scars. This will help in making acne scar treatment easier and faster and in some case no treatment is required.

Acne scars treatment

Acne scars treatment is often required for major teenagers. Primarily there are two clinically tested or recommended by dermatologist ways for acne scars treatment.

First is the use of Tretinoin, which is the form of vitamin A. This act as catalyst for skin healing and considerably reduces skin inflammation period and help preventing acne scars.

Secondly is the use of Aplpha-Hydroxy Acids or AHA's and Beta-Hydroxy Acids or BHA's. These acids help in skins remodeling process. But remember take expert guidance for right combination or concentration for its application. These helps in great way in acne scars treatment or to prevent acne scars.

There are also few tips for acne scars treatment. You can really do without the clinical treatment just treating skin appropriately.

• Avoid sun exposure: Exposure to sun hampers the internal healing process.
• Wear sunscreen: Select proper sunscreen, which is preferably SPF 15 or higher.
• Don't pick on acne: Avoid picking on acne which is irresistible but it interferes with the healing process and may result acne scars.

Considering the stress in our day-to-day life it is practically it is very difficult to prevent acne scars, facial and related skin problems. Fortunately there are few treatments available for acne scars. Following here are some of them.

1. Dermal Fillers -
   Acne scars are injected with dermal filler like Collagen or other fillers to raise it a bit, so that it is in same level that of skin. It is not permanent solution as it last about 3-6 months and then you might require another dermal filler injected.
2. Punch Excision -
   This method is effective for some types of scars. It includes the surgical tool that matches the size of the scar; it can be compared to a cookie dough cutter. This tool cuts the scar out and the remaining wound is then sewed back together. The resulting scar will be unnoticeable, but if it is, it’ll be easier for laser resurfacing to treat it. Other types of this treatment include the use of skin grafts.
3. Laser Resurfacing -
   Laser resurfacing is quite popular and also with very fast results. Laser resurfacing treatment actually burning of upper layer of the skin and then after healing it skin looks new and quite flawless. But in laser resurfacing treatments success depends on post-operative procedures.