Injuries to the skin produce scars as they heal. The most common scars to appear on the face are those caused by acne. Studies have shown that for both men and women, acne scars can cause a considerable amount of stress, anxiety and embarrassment. If you have acne scars, it is recommended that you increase your knowledge on acne scarring and the various types of acne scar treatments that are available. This article provides you with helpful information about acne scars and the methods you can choose from to treat them.

Treatment Options

A considerable factor that can determine what scar treatment option would be the most appropriate for you depends on the size and shape of the scars. Some procedures work on surface layers while others treat deeper down into the dermis. A popular method is done with lasers, others with dermabrasion, microdermabrasion or chemical peels, yet many opt for acne scar creams or lotions as they are easily administered at home and tend to be effective if used over time. Let's take a closer look at these treatment options.

Laser Therapy

Laser therapy uses lasers to burn off the top layers of skin and tighten those underneath to remove scar tissue. Although this treatment tends to yield good results, it can prove to be costly as multiple sessions are usually required. Laser surgery is also one of the more invasive methods and therefore can be considerably painful. There are long recovery periods that might include after effects such as seeping, crusting, and discoloration.

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion 'sands' down the top layers of skin using a type of wire brush that spins at high speeds. The idea is to rid you of the outer layers of skin that contain scar tissue and imperfections, and reveal a smoother, clearer layer below. Dermabrasion often requires anesthetic, usually a freezing agent. This treatment is more abrasive and therefore more appropriate for scars that reach deeper levels of the dermis. Dermabrasion is usually followed by a fairly painful recovery period. A normal and temporary period of discoloration will also follow the procedure, and patients should wait up to 6 months to expose themselves to direct sunlight.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is similar to dermabrasion, however less intense. This procedure is done with small sterile particles that are then removed along with the dead skin with a suction device. Microdermabrasion does not require anesthetic or long recovery periods because of its superficial nature. However, because it is superficial it is only appropriate for surface scars and will fail to remove deeper dermal scarring.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peel procedures are done with combinations of strong chemicals that burn away the outer layers of skin. The smoother underlying layer of skin remains revealed at the end of the procedure. In order to remove acne scars, deep peels are necessary which often have more prominent results but also more pain and longer recovery periods. These deep peels often call for anesthetic during the procedure and pain medication following. 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 a smart idea as they aim to fix the cause of the problem rather than just deal with the visible effects of scarring. This form of treatment requires a little more patience, but over time is just as effective in reducing even the severest scars of any type, form, or size. Natural acne creams are excellent in removing damage caused over years of having 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.