Acne scarring is usually the result of severe acne. This occurs when this type of acne is left untreated and becomes more likely to develop 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. Scar treatment 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-up by using dermal fillers or laser resurfacing.

Punch Excision & Ice Pick Scars

Cystic acne usually leaves behind a scar that makes the skin look 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 deep and extends into the dermis.

Punch excision or punch excision with 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 resulting in a straight scar that is level with the surrounding skin.

Sometimes, the extent of the excised skin is too large to suture. In this case, it would be necessary to use grafted skin to close the wound. Once again, there will be a straight scar, but it will be less noticeable than the original ice pick scar.

Punch Elevation and Boxcar Scars

Boxcar scars are wider than icepick scars and are usually oval or round. These types of scars 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 the walls of the scar are left untouched. The specialist will use fillers or sutures to bring the base of the scar up to skin level. Finally, grafted skin is used to close the wound.

Rolling Scars & Subcutaneous Incision

Rolling scars are formed when fibrous bands of tissue develop in between the layers of skin. These fibrous bands pull down the epidermis making the skin resemble a wave-like surface. Subcision is the best treatment option for this type of scar.

A small needle or scalpel is used to separate the epidermis from the deeper scar tissue. Blood will then accumulate in the space left between these two layers. This will help the epidermis become more level. Dermal fillers may be required if the scar tissue is too deep.