While most leave acne behind with their teenage years, some carry the scars of their acne through their adult life. Since these scars can have an affect on the bearer’s self confidence and self image, it is important to learn to deal with these scars.
Perhaps the first step in dealing with acne scars is avoiding them in the first place. Once acne scars exist, it is extremely hard to get rid of them. Here are some tips to help avoid the acne scar, information on different types of scars and removal methods for the acne scar.
The first line of defense against the acne scar is to properly treat breakouts of acne when they first appear. Without acne, it is impossible to have an acne scar. With the number of acne medications now available there is no reason for acne sufferers not to receive proper treatment.
Another note for acne sufferers who don’t wish to live with scars – resist the urge to pop your pimples. This action can cause more damage to the skin and can actually make scars worse.
When dealing with the acne scar, there are two main types of scars. These are the ice-pick type scar and the keloid scar. The ice-pick scar is a depressed area that looks like damage that may have been done by an ice-pick. Keloid scars are raised areas caused by the build up of collagen in the skin resulting in a raised mass. Staining of the skin by acne is often confused with acne scars. Unlike scars, however, staining fades over time and may even disappear completely.
Removal of an acne scar can be a complex and costly procedure. Some of the more well known methods include dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, chemical peels, punch techniques and augmentation.
Dermabrasion, which is a surgical scraping of the skin, works well on shallow acne scars. However, this procedure will set you back about $1,500 per treatment. In laser surgery, layers of damaged skin are removed using a laser. This procedure can cost $3,000 or more per treatment. Chemical peels are a less expensive option, coming in at $750 each treatment. These peels, however, are only effective on the most minor acne scar.
Two options for ice-pick scars include punch techniques and augmentation. In the punch techniques, the acne scar is surgically “punched” out using an appropriately sized biopsy tool. The remaining skin is stitched together resulting in a smaller scar that is more receptive to dermabrasion or other resurfacing techniques.
In augmentation, a substance, either collagen or the person’s own fat, is injected under the scar to bring it to level with the rest of the skin. Again, this procedure is costly and the results are only temporary, repeated procedures are required.
Although acne scars can be removed, the procedures are costly and the results may not be the same as undamaged skin. The best way to avoid the acne scar is to get proper treatment for your acne as soon as possible. Also don’t pick at, squeeze or attempt to pop your acne as this can make scarring worse.
Riley Hendersen
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/avoiding-the-acne-scar-112520.html
#1 by CarlitoTito on November 25th, 2009
Quote
I have acne but what should I do about it?
Should I pop them? Should I leave them alone? Will they go away by themselves? Should I use something like pro-active? Does it work?
I mostly have blackheads. Please help! I want to avoid acne scars! =(
#2 by ginalorean on November 25th, 2009
Quote
Go to a dermatologist…
References :
#3 by spanggularr on November 25th, 2009
Quote
this is long. i wanted to help you.
DO NOT POP YOUR PIMPLES! you will regret it in the future…just aviod picking them at all costs! you said u want to aviod acne scars, popping your pimples is what causes acne scars.
if you mild acne…a few bumps/blackheads then do not go with proactiv…this is for people with moderate acne…proactiv contains benzoyl peroxide (kills acne causing bacteria) which can really irratate the skin…so if your skin is sensative it may cause a bad reaction. i used proactiv when my pimples were not bad…and even though it helped, it irratated my skin like mad..i wouldnt use it again. however, everyones skin it different. what works for one person may not work for the other. so you can try it if you want, but like i said if your acne is mild, don’t use it!
for your blackheads the BEST thing to use is st ives apricot scrub for blackheads and blemishes. you can get it at your local drugstore…somewhere like target. make sure to be gentle with the scrub, don’t try to scrub away the acne..that will only aggravate it.
also make sure that you drink at least 8 glasses of water a day…this will work wonders for your skin. water cleanses your body and delivers nutrients to your body…it rejuvinates u and it GREATT for the skin.
if your breakouts are due to hormones, try taking fish oil capsules….this will balance your hormones.
some more tips:
make sure u are stress free! this is a leading contributor to acne
make sure you get a good nights sleep…your skin heals itself while you are sleeping
excersize! great for maintaining good health and skin
**acne is not caused by outside bacteria and dirt, this is a common misconception…if it were true all contruction workers would breakout like mad. acne is caused internally…meaning something in your body is not functioning the way it should be. eating healthy is extrememly important.
if you want to find out more about acne, there is an excellent site which offers all the information in the world. it was started by this women fran who had severe acne and now is clear. shes an expert. check out the website
highonhealth.org
it is free! look through the forums and through her videos and blogs! i hope you join…you’ll find out a lot of information
i hope i helped!=)
References :