About Improving Acne Scars

Millions of people endure the negative effects of acne scars long after adolescence has passed and the acne condition has faded. The same as chicken pox, injuries and other illnesses can produce scars that may cause embarrassment and discomfort.

Thanks to the improvement of a number of dermatologic surgical techniques, scars can be treated with an assortment of safe, successful procedures that improve the look of a patient's skin and enhance the patient's self-esteem. Your derma surgeon will choose the technique that is best suited for your particular situation and type of scarring. Make sure that your doctor is fully aware of your medical history, and if you are aware of a particular treatment that you have researched and your doctor doesn’t suggest that ask why and if it is suitable for your situation. I have listed below some universal techniques and procedures that are used to improve scarring:

SCAR TREATMENT OPTIONS:

• DERMABRASION -- Dermabrasion and dermaplaning help to "refinish" the skin's top layers through a method of controlled surgical scraping. The treatments soften the jagged edges of surface irregularities, giving the skin a smoother look. Dermabrasion is most often used to improve the appearance of facial skin left scarred by accidents or previous surgery’s.
• EXCISION AND PUNCH REPLACEMENT GRAFT -- With this method the scar is excised with the punch tool; which is basically a round, sharp "cookie-cutter" tool that comes in diameters ranging from 1.5 mm to 3.5 mm. Instead of suturing the skin edges together, the defect is filled with a punch skin graft usually taken from behind the ear. With this procedure a color and texture variation may be obvious.
• SOFT TISSUE FILLERS -- Soft tissue fillers are flexible substances that can be injected into the skin. The result is a smoother, more youthful appearance with minimal "downtime" and maximum safety. Dermatologists use a variety of soft tissue fillers, including human and bovine (cattle) collagen, hyaluronic acid, autologous fat (one's own fat), and donor tissue. Since filler substances do not involve major surgery and are generally cost-effective, men and women are using these youth-enhancing techniques more than ever.
• LASER THERAPY -- Facial atrophic scars can be safely and successfully resurfaced through the proper use of a high-energy, pulsed or scanned carbon dioxide or Erbium-Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet laser. These laser systems discharge high energy densities within extremely short pulses that effect tissue vaporization with limited thermal conduction to non-targeted surrounding skin. Since each laser pass effects a predictable and reproducible amount of tissue vaporization and remaining thermal damage, as much or as little tissue can be removed as necessary by the type of scar being treated.
• CHEMICAL PEELING -- Acne scars can be easily removed with Chemical peeling. This method has been used for years not only for removing acne scars but also other skin blemishes and discolorations. With Chemical peeling doctors remove the layers of skin with chemicals. Results, the new skin forms and the earlier blemishes disappear.
• MICRODERMABRASION -- Microdermabrasion is a skin rejuvenating technique that helps repair facial skin that takes a beating from the sun and the effects of scars due to acne. The plastic surgeon uses a device like a fine sandblaster to spray tiny crystals across the face, combining gentle abrasion with suction to eliminate the dead, outer layer of skin. As with other skin rejuvenation techniques, more than one treatment may be needed.

What you can expect is that once you start treatment, it may take several weeks or even months for you to see significant effects.

Miami Beach Florida Dermatologists -- Call Today!

Have an skin emergency? We can get you in -- just give us a call.

Board Certified Dermatologist Listing:

• Brian J. Katz, MD Dermatologist
• 4308 Alton Road, Suite 510
• Miami Beach, FL 33140
• Tel: 305-674-8865

For additional information on specific skin conditions and treatments, please visit the find a surgeon at this link .

Brian J. Katz, MD Dermatologist

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