The bad news is that acne can cause long term scaring. The good news is that you can both prevent acne from scaring and do something about scars that have already appeared.
Before undergoing Acne Scar Treatment
Acne scar treatment is not cheap so don't start any treatment unless your acne is completely gone and is unlikely to return. It would be pointless to undergo the expense and bother of treatment only to go through it again.
Before undergoing acne scar treatment there are a number of factors to consider and you should discuss these with your doctor so you can choose the best treatment specific to your circumstances. Firstly what is your age and overall health? If you're still a teenager it may be wise to wait until your acne is no longer active. If you're allergic to some treatments or take some medications you will need to ensure that they do not conflict. Affordability is an important factor and you may need to weight up whether your scars really are severe enough and what you hope to achieve with your available budget. What type of scars do you have? Different types of scars respond differently to different treatments. For example keloid scars can actually be made worse with some treatments.
Find an adequately trained practitioner in your area otherwise you risk the consequence of further scaring, even disfigurement. The practitioner should have a good grasp of the pros and cons of treatment depending on your specific circumstances. The American Academy of Dermatology (http://www.aad.org) and The American Society for Dermatologic Surgeons (http://www.asds.net) provide a good place to start. You should also visit the online referral service of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) at plasticsurgery.org.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing has become increasingly popular with the number of new and improved lasers now available. These lasers help to smooth and tighten scars, burning away scar tissue and stimulating the dermal collagen to tighten thereby reducing the appearance of scars. Some lasers and lights are even used to prevent acne itself by killing the p. acne bacteria. The two main types of laser are ablative and non-ablative lasers. The non-ablative lasers are less severe and are best for shallow scars. The ablative lasers are powerful and do carry the risk of further scarring. Non-ablative lasers are less risky but the skin is likely to remain reddened for several months after treatment. Treatment with laser resurfacing can cost between $3,000 and $8,000 for a full-face resurfacing.
Surgical Acne Scar Treatment
Another option is surgically removing the scar. The hole can then be filled in with a small skin graft often taken from behind the ear. The surrounding healthy skin is then joined together by suturing. For improved results laser resurfacing should be combined with surgery. The prices of these procedures vary and depend upon the number of grafts or punches that are done. Punch grafting can run between $50 to $150 per graft or $1,000 to $2,500 per session.
Dermal Fillers
For some scars a dermal filler such as collagen is injected under the skin to stretch and fill out scars. Many different substances are available. However fillers usually only offer a temporary solution and can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Treatment can cost between $400 to $1000 and sometimes more.
Dermabrasion and Microbrasion
Dermabrasion is used to smooth out scars and involves removing the top layer of skin. It is best for small acne scars and involves the use of a wheel that is attached to a motorized handle. Dermabrasion can be expensive and cost between $2,000 to $4,000.
Microdermabrasion is less extreme and can be performed by anyone. Microdermabrasion is not very effective at reducing acne scars and is used mainly for reducing fine lines and age spots. Microbrasion only costs between $150 to $300.
Before undergoing Acne Scar Treatment
Acne scar treatment is not cheap so don't start any treatment unless your acne is completely gone and is unlikely to return. It would be pointless to undergo the expense and bother of treatment only to go through it again.
Before undergoing acne scar treatment there are a number of factors to consider and you should discuss these with your doctor so you can choose the best treatment specific to your circumstances. Firstly what is your age and overall health? If you're still a teenager it may be wise to wait until your acne is no longer active. If you're allergic to some treatments or take some medications you will need to ensure that they do not conflict. Affordability is an important factor and you may need to weight up whether your scars really are severe enough and what you hope to achieve with your available budget. What type of scars do you have? Different types of scars respond differently to different treatments. For example keloid scars can actually be made worse with some treatments.
Find an adequately trained practitioner in your area otherwise you risk the consequence of further scaring, even disfigurement. The practitioner should have a good grasp of the pros and cons of treatment depending on your specific circumstances. The American Academy of Dermatology (http://www.aad.org) and The American Society for Dermatologic Surgeons (http://www.asds.net) provide a good place to start. You should also visit the online referral service of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) at plasticsurgery.org.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing has become increasingly popular with the number of new and improved lasers now available. These lasers help to smooth and tighten scars, burning away scar tissue and stimulating the dermal collagen to tighten thereby reducing the appearance of scars. Some lasers and lights are even used to prevent acne itself by killing the p. acne bacteria. The two main types of laser are ablative and non-ablative lasers. The non-ablative lasers are less severe and are best for shallow scars. The ablative lasers are powerful and do carry the risk of further scarring. Non-ablative lasers are less risky but the skin is likely to remain reddened for several months after treatment. Treatment with laser resurfacing can cost between $3,000 and $8,000 for a full-face resurfacing.
Surgical Acne Scar Treatment
Another option is surgically removing the scar. The hole can then be filled in with a small skin graft often taken from behind the ear. The surrounding healthy skin is then joined together by suturing. For improved results laser resurfacing should be combined with surgery. The prices of these procedures vary and depend upon the number of grafts or punches that are done. Punch grafting can run between $50 to $150 per graft or $1,000 to $2,500 per session.
Dermal Fillers
For some scars a dermal filler such as collagen is injected under the skin to stretch and fill out scars. Many different substances are available. However fillers usually only offer a temporary solution and can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Treatment can cost between $400 to $1000 and sometimes more.
Dermabrasion and Microbrasion
Dermabrasion is used to smooth out scars and involves removing the top layer of skin. It is best for small acne scars and involves the use of a wheel that is attached to a motorized handle. Dermabrasion can be expensive and cost between $2,000 to $4,000.
Microdermabrasion is less extreme and can be performed by anyone. Microdermabrasion is not very effective at reducing acne scars and is used mainly for reducing fine lines and age spots. Microbrasion only costs between $150 to $300.
