5 Methods of Facial Scar Treatment

• Shallow acne scars can be treated with chemical peels and laser resurfacing
• Deeper facial scars may require more intensive treatments, such as subcision or punch excision
• Augmentation may be used alone or with punch excision for deeper acne scars

If you have facial scars, such as those associated with acne, you might be desperate to find a more permanent method for covering up the unsightly area. The good news is that you might want to consider a facial scar treatment. Several methods are available. Below are a few of the best scar treatment options.

1. Chemical Peels

For mild scarring, chemical peels can be effective as a facial scar treatment. With this procedure, a type of acid is applied to the skin. The acid literally burns away the upper layers of the skin so that new, fresh layers can grow in their place. When those upper layers are gone, the shallow scars can disappear with them. Mild burning and discomfort are involved in the process but no anesthesia is usually necessary. The cost of the procedure is around $750 per treatment.

2. Augmentation

Deeper scars may require a different type of facial acne scar treatment known as augmentation. With these types of treatments, the scar is actually filled in with a type of injection. That injection could include artificial substances, collagen, and even fat from other parts of your body depending on the preference of your dermatologist. This method of treatment is particularly effective against icebox scars and other deep scars. Treatment costs vary from between $300 to $700 per cubic centimeter of scarring.

3. Laser Resurfacing

With this type of facial scar treatment, a carbon dioxide or erbium:YAG laser are used to remove the upper layers of skin similar to how chemical peels work. However, the benefit of using lasers is that the depth of the burned layers can be more accurately controlled. For deeper levels of resurfacing, local anesthesia may be needed. After the procedure, patients must properly care for their skin if they are going to achieve the best results possible. This method is not effective against deep acne scars.

4. Punch Excision

Dermatologists have tools known as punches which work almost like cookie cutters for the face. The physician chooses a cutter that is as large as the scar and the surrounding tissue then uses it to remove that section from the patient’s skin. If the scar isn’t too wide, the area can be stitched together and the resulting scar should heal on its own. With larger scars, the punch excision may need to be augmenting with injections of collagen or other substances.

5. Subcision

Almost any type of scar can be corrected using this facial acne scar treatment, which is also sometimes called subcutaneous incision. The patient is given a local anesthetic. A beveled needle is inserted under the skin at a parallel angle to the skin’s surface. Once in place, the needle is moved in and out like a piston to break up the fibers in the skin. This helps destroy the scar. While the procedure will leave behind a bruise, this fades in about one week. Bleeding can sometimes be a problem as well with this type of procedure. The costs can vary a great deal depending on the treatment area and the number of treatment sessions needed.

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.