Scars in the skin seem like stubborn fixtures with the sole purpose of permanently destroying the aesthetic of the human body. Especially scars on the face. Acne scar treatment is a highly sought after cosmetic therapy, but not all of them are created equal. When battling the scars leftover from a vicious bout of acne, it is important to know what types of scars you have and how they formed in the first place. Then you will know how to proceed with an effective acne scar treatment, specific to your needs.

How Acne Scars Form

When the sebaceous glands become clogged and swollen with acne-causing bacteria, the body responds to this infection as a wound that must be healed. Fibroblasts are sent in overabundance to the wound site to help clear up the problem and help the body recover; however, this ends up possibly doing more damage. These fibroblasts—which are an ingredient for new collagen growth—cause collagen fibers to pile up into a dense and disorganized cluster, resulting in acne scars.

Your acne scar treatment will depend on the extent of fibrous tissue build-up in your skin, and how deep the build-up goes.

Topical Creams for Acne Scar Treatment

Hydroquinone creams may be effective for pigmented scars that only scratch the surface. Still, this type of solution would have to be used for several weeks to months to show results. Topical retinoids, like Tretinoin, are also applied to the skin, but are slightly more aggressive. This synthetic derivative of Vitamin A expedites the growth of new skin cells, however, it remains effective only for superficial acne scars.

Microdermabrasion and Dermabraision for Acne Scar Treatment

Microdermabrasion uses tiny magnesium salt crystals for a mild exfoliating process that will not cause significant changes, but may show slight improvement in skin tone and texture over several treatments. For severe acne scars, dermabrasion is a more viable corrective option, as it proves far more aggressive by actually sanding the skin. However, it can sometimes be too harsh, often causing bleeding, further scarring, and discoloration.

Fraxel Dual Laser for Acne Scar Treatment

Laser technology is the best option for severe cases. The Fraxel family of laser systems, which includes the Fraxel Dual, uses precisely concentrated wavelengths of light energy to remove acne scars. The Fraxel Dual can be used on an erbium (1550nm) or thulium (1927nm) wavelength to target shallow or deep levels of poorly formed collagen structures. This promotes collagen restructuring to even out and blend the dense scar tissue with the normal surrounding tissue.

The more aggressive Fraxel Repair (10,600nm) sends microscopic columns of monochromatic light to burn targeted tissue. This acne scar treatment only affects the intended tissue, leaving the surrounding areas untouched. When these light-induced burns heal, the recessed scars are filled in with new, healthy skin. The Fraxel Repair can only be used on fair skin tones.

Fraxel Dual| New Collagen For Filling Acne Scars

The improvement of acne scars is possible by using lasers to promote the formation of new collagen fibers*