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How to deal with acne scars

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Acne scars not only affects the appearance of the person, but can also lower his/her level of confidence. However, there are some solutions for lessening the ugly scars in the form of over the counter products.

Chemical peels

There is no sure shot way of completely curing acne scars but with right treatment, the scars will become less visible. Chemical peels may not completely heal the scars but will even out the skin tone and minimize the red marks. The chemical peels which contain glycolic acid are mild for the skin and is available over the counter. The result will not be drastic but this will definitely improve the skin over a required period of use. If you plan to sit in with the dermatologist for an in-office treatment the process is different. Here, the chemical phenol is used in the proper way so as not to burn your skin, as it is a rather strong chemical. The recovery time from this treatment is long but it does immensely help in even out the skin tone and erasing some of the marks. Chemical peels help by removing the top layers of the damaged skin and is one of the most approved methods for acne scars.

Collagen injections and other filler materials

Collagen injections fills out the dents made by the scars and make it less noticeable. The process need to be repeated at least 3 to 4 times in a year as it is a short term solution. There is also a process where fats from other parts of the body are injected into the affected areas to fill up the dents. Other filler materials used to even out the skin include brand names like Restylane, Cosmodern, Cymetra and Fascian, which are all filler substances. These treatments are to be undertaken with expert supervision as they involve some delicate handling. They are all temporary measures and will be effective only for a certain period of time. Repeated treatment may be harmful in the long run as your skin cells may end up getting burnt and damaged.

Laser treatment

Laser treatment is given depending on the layer of scars that you may have. There is no guarantee that your scars will disappear completely but laser treatment is the most popular so far. Within two to three sittings there is marked improvement or nearly complete disappearance of the scars. There are two types of laser treatment, namely ablative laser treatment and non-ablative treatment. In the case of ablative laser treatment, the skin is given a controlled burning to remove the outer layers of skin. The acne scars are visibly reduced once the skin heals after a few weeks. In the case of the non-ablative laser treatment, the process is gentler as it induces new collagen formation on the skin. This works best for hyper pigmentation and keloids or depressed scars.

Skin needling and dermabrasion

The process of skin needling for acne scars is almost the same as ablative laser treatment. Here, tiny needles are used to punch through the skin with a roller. In the case of dermabrasion, a wire brush is used to rapidly rotate on the skin surface. These processes remove the damaged top layers of the skin. The duration of treatment will depend on the skin type as each skin type reacts differently to the treatment process. The treatment will leave the skin rather irritated along with some swelling which will disappear within 24 hours of skin needling. For dermabrasion, the redness and swelling may take 5 to 6 days to disappear. Like the laser treatment, both skin needling and dermabrasion can damage your skin, especially if you have very sensitive skin.

Skin care and skin health

It is difficult to live with acne scars on the face as it can be very deflating for the self esteem of the sufferer. Going in for various treatments may not be feasible for everyone as it involves a lot of expenditure and there is no guarantee of a complete cure. However, you can try to improve the quality of your skin by taking proper care of yourself. Drinking plenty of water will keep your skin hydrated which will improve the quality of your skin. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and food items which contain Vitamin B and avoid the more fatty stuffs. It may take a long time, but if you keep following this regular skin care regime, combined with healthy diet and plenty of water the scars will fade away slowly. Always consult with a doctor before you undergo any sort of treatment.

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