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 why the best way to avoid acne scars is to treat acne.

Sometimes, however, preventing acne scars is hopeless due to the severity of the acne. In these cases, scar removal becomes a reality. Scar treatment will depend greatly on the type of scarring and the extent of the scar tissue.

Finding Your Best Scar Treatment Option

Surgery is usually the best option for extensive scarring. There are three very common types of surgery. They are punch excision, punch elevation, and subcision also known as subcutaneous incision. These procedures are usually followed by laser resurfacing or dermal fillers.

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 a deep scar that extends into the dermis.

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

This procedure removes scar tissue by using a cookie cutter like instrument. The remaining skin is then sutured together, forming 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.

Boxcar Scars & Punch Elevation

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 usually punch elevation and 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 base of the scar is brought up to skin level using fillers or sutures. 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.

In this procedure 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. If the scar tissue is too deep, dermal fillers may be required.