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Acne scarring is usually the result of severe acne. When severe acne is left untreated it will be more than likely develop into unsightly scars. This is exactly why it is best to treat acne if what you want is to avoid acne scarring.

However, there are times when preventing acne scars is near impossible due to the severity of the acne breakout. In cases like this, scar removal is a reality. They type of scar treatment you decide on will depend on the type of scarring you have and the extent of the scar tissue.

Choosing the Best Scar Treatment Option for You

Surgery is usually the best option for extensive scarring. The most common types of surgical interventions include punch excision, punch elevation, and subcision. These procedures are usually followed by laser resurfacing or dermal fillers.

Punch Excision for Ice Pick Scars

Cystic acne may leave behind a scar that makes the skin seem as if it has been pierced by a pin or needle. This type of acne scar is known as an ice pick scar. It is usually a deep scar that extends into the dermis.

Punch excision with skin grafting is the best option for ice pick scars.

This procedure entails the removal of scar tissue by using a cookie cutter like instrument. The remaining skin is sutured together. The result is a straight scar that is level with the surrounding skin.

Oftentimes, the extent of the excised skin is too large to suture, in which case, grafted skin is used to close the open wound. Once again, there will be a straight scar, but much less noticeable than the ice pick scar that it will ultimately replace.

Punch Elevation and Boxcar Scars

Boxcar scars are wider than icepick scars and are oval or round-shaped. They are caused by a loss of tissue during a particularly severe inflammatory reaction. The treatment for acne scars of this type is generally punch elevation followed by dermal fillers or laser treatment.

Punch elevation is similar to punch excision, however, in this case of punch elevation the walls of the scar are left untouched. The base of the scar is brought up to skin level using fillers or sutures. Grafted skin is used to close the wound.

Subcutaneous Incision for Rolling Scars

When fibrous bands of tissue develop between the skin layers the result is a rolling scar. These bands pull down the epidermis making the skin take on a wave-like appearance. The best treatment option is subcision.

This procedure requires the use of a small needle or scalpel to separate the epidermis from the deeper scar tissue. Blood accumulates in the space between these two layers and helps the epidermis become more level. If the scar tissue is too deep, dermal fillers may be required.