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When the skin is injured, the result is usually a scar. The most common types of scars to have on the face are those that result from acne. It has been studied and proven that acne scars are often a huge cause of stress, anxiety and embarrassment among both men and women. If you are one of those that find yourself with visible acne scarring, it is important that you become more knowledgeable about acne scars and the various types of removal methods that are available. Here we will provide information and answer some typical questions about acne scars and the ways you can effectively remove them.

Treatment Options

The most appropriate scar removal treatment is often determined by the size and shape of the acne scars. Some procedures are superficial while others work down into deeper layers of the dermis. Acne scar removal methods include doctor administered laser therapy, microdermabrasion, dermabrasion, and chemical peels or at home acne scar creams that tend to be just as effective over time. Let's examine these treatment options a little more closely.

Laser Therapy

Laser therapy removes scar tissue by burning off the top layers of skin and helping to tighten underlying layers. This treatment option has proved to be successful for many, however it can also be extremely costly as multiple sessions are usually required. Laser surgery is also described to be relatively invasive and therefore can be especially painful. There are long recovery periods that might include after effects such as seeping, crusting, and discoloration.

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion uses a wire brush that spins at high speeds in order to 'sand' down the top layers of skin. The premise is to eliminate the outer layers of skin and their imperfections in order to reveal a smoother layer underneath. Usually a freezing agent is used as anesthetic during dermabrasion. If your scars are deep, dermabrasion is an appropriate treatment method. A fairly painful recovery period follows the dermabrasion procedure. Discoloration is also normal after a procedure. It will eventually fade, however it is advised to avoid direct sunlight for at least 6 months.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a less intense form of skin resurfacing. This procedure is done with small sterile particles that are then removed along with the dead skin with a suction device. Microdermabrasion is a superficial procedure meaning no anesthetic or long recovery periods. However, because it is superficial it is only appropriate for surface scars and will fail to remove deeper dermal scarring.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peel treatments entail the application of strong combinations of chemicals that dissolve the outer layers of the skin. After the procedure, the resulting underlying layer of skin remains revealed and without the imperfections and scar tissue that affected the top layers of the dermis. Deeper chemical peels are usually necessary in order to remove acne scars. These have more prominent results, but are also more painful and require longer recovery periods. Deeper peels usually use anesthetic and often require pain medication. Swelling, crusting and discoloration are common after effects of chemical peel treatments.

Skin Care Products

Topical acne scar removal creams provide great alternatives to these more invasive and costly procedures and come in both natural and medicated forms. Natural acne treatment creams are ideal in addressing the root causes of the problem rather than just treating the visible effects of acne scars. This type of topical treatment may require a little more patience, but can offer the same results, reducing even the most severe acne scars of any type, size or shape. These natural acne creams are great in removing damage done by years of acne. They help soften the skin, help treat and eliminate existing scar tissue, and prevent new acne blemishes from leaving you more scars in the future.