Dermatological Treatments for Acne Scars

Active breakouts are frustrating and painful, and the scars they leave are another issue. They can become more prominent and noticeable as a person ages. But, the excellent news is that these can be treated. Here are some of the most common dermatological procedures used for the best cosmetic dermatology in San Diego, CA.

Dermabrasion 

Dermabrasion is a procedure for treating acne scars. In a session, the dermatologist exfoliates the patient's skin deeply to remove the top layer of the epidermis. They'll use a high-speed wire brush to perform this treatment.

Afterward, the patient's skin will look pink and feel severely burned, so they'll need to take some prescriptions. The healing time can last up to 14 days. During this period, the person should wear sunscreen to protect their complexion from being damaged by the sun's harmful rays.

Microdermabrasion 

Microdermabrasion doesn't target hollow, ice-pick scars. So, it's only recommended for people with active to mild acne cases. Apart from reducing blemishes, it removes dead skin cells that clog pores plus lessens the sebum on the face.

During a session, the specialist uses a handheld tool that has small crystals on the tip to remove the epidermis. This treatment reveals the smooth, toned skin underneath. And, it's less invasive, so it doesn't have a healing time. But, patients might need several treatments to achieve the results they want. 

Chemical Peels 

Chemical peels improve the appearance of the epidermis by using a solution usually composed of glycolic, salicylic, lactic, carbolic, and trichloroacetic acids to remove the outermost layer of the skin. They target shallow acne scars and hyperpigmentation, too. This procedure aims to reveal a smoother and less scarred surface. 

After the session, the patient will experience redness, swelling, and peeling. They may also feel a burning or throbbing sensation. But, the treated areas will heal after about 1-2 weeks. 

Fillers 

Another way to make the acne-damaged epidermis more even is by using fillers. A solution made of collagen, hyaluronic acid, and fat will be injected under the surface of the patient's skin to plump up and smooth out ice pick scars. Depending on how severe their condition is, they might need to repeat this procedure a few times with an interval of 6 months.

Patients who want to treat their acne scars have other options apart from these. They may undergo laser skin resurfacing, punch excisions, and grafting. Whatever method they choose, they must only work with a board-certified doctor of cosmetic laser dermatology in San Diego CA.