While acne typically disappears by the early twenties, acne scars can last for a lifetime and can be extremely disfiguring. However there are methods to deal with any scarring, so what is the best acne scar treatment for you? There are a range of cures available, however many of them are expensive so you need to carefully consider them before you come to a decision which one is right for you.

Microdermabrasion is right for minor acne scars that are raised above the skin surface. This essentially exfoliates the skin and removes dead or damaged skin that is on the surface. Microdermabrasion is not right for deep-seated scars or scars that are below the surface of the skin. In this technique a machine is used to send out very small crystals on the the skin in a stream under pressure. The crystals used are mostly aluminium oxide but others such as magnesium oxide, zinc oxide or sodium chloride, could be used as an alternative. This method takes off the very top layer of the skin and also cleans out the pores. It also eliminates dead skin cells. It is very low risk and doesn’t need any healing period.

Laser Skin Rejuvenation is a gentle method that doesn’t remove the the surface layer of the skin as other laser treatments do but uses light which get through to the lower levels of the skin. This speeds up collagen growth which then starts to fill up the scars over the following months. There is no down period as there isn’t any injury to the skin and it takes about fifteen minutes to complete. There might be a little reddening of the skin which is transitory and can be simply covered by using make up. Laser skin rejuvenation treatments are usually carried out over approximately four weeks with around three to four treatments.

Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing is obtainable in two different forms called ablative and non-ablative. Recovery from non-ablative laser treatment is to a great extent quicker and is generally used for less severe scarring. The laser damages the skin around the scars which brings about the production of extra collagen which then helps to heal the scar. This method is often regarded as one of the best acne scar treatments, however it is one of the most expensive.

Acne Scar Thermage Treatment is an alternative method which uses radio frequency waves and is generally used for lines and wrinkles on the skin. This treatment accelerates the growth of collagen and as a result does not heal scars in the same way as fractional laser skin resurfacing. It is pain free and isn’t invasive and takes around an hour.

Dermal Filling is mostly temporary and employs collagen injections which fill in the scars. After a few months the filling material is absorbed by the skin. The collagen can be made from either natural or animal sources so if you’re using animal derived collagen you should be tested for allergic reactions before undertaking the treatment. Other dermal fillers, for example Restylane®, use man-made materials which don’t have the risk of an allergic reaction and typically last much longer than other collagen treatments. If you are looking for a low-priced, although temporary method, this may possibly be the best acne scar treatment for you.

Chemical Peels aren’t as prevalent as they were formerly as acne scar treatments such as laser skin resurfacing are being used more frequently in their place. Nevertheless they are quite useful for mild to moderate acne scarring as they essentially blister the top layer of the skin which then allows new healthy and unscarred skin to grow. The most widespread variety of chemical peel is made from glycolic acid which is a natural acid that is found in plants and fruit. The procedure only takes around 20 minutes and is nearly pain free though there may possibly be a little stinging. Side effects can include flaking and redness of the skin which possibly will last from a few days to as much as a week depending on the variety and intensity of the chemical peel technique. A course of a minimum of three treatments is needed to notice any obvious improvement in scarring.

In Conclusion

How can you choose the best acne scar treatment? This will really be dependant on the degree of scarring you may have and, evidently, on your budget. A few of the more successful acne scar treatments are costly and involve repeated visits to be effective. Consider how deep your scarring is and set up a discussion with a dermatologist to talk about the laser treatment for scars that will be best for you and your skin.