Severe acne will usually develop into acne scarring. When this type of acne is left untreated or is not treated properly, you will be more likely to develop unsightly scars. For this reason, 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 cases like this, scar removal is 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 the best option for treating extensive scarring. The most common types of surgery include punch excision, punch elevation and subcision (or subcutaneous incision). These procedures are usually followed by laser resurfacing or dermal fillers.

Punch Excision for Ice Pick Scars

Cystic acne may leave behind a scar that makes the skin seem as if it has been pierced by a pin or needle. This type of acne scar is commonly known as an ice pick scar. It usually extends into the dermis and is a deep scar.

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

This procedure entails the removal of scar tissue by using a cookie cutter like instrument. The remaining skin is sutured together. The result is a straight scar that is level with the surrounding skin.

Oftentimes, the extent of the excised skin is too large to suture, in which case, grafted skin is used to close the open 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 usually oval or round. These types of scars are caused by a loss of tissue during a particularly severe inflammatory reaction. The treatment for acne scars of this type is generally punch elevation followed by 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 specialist will use fillers or sutures to bring the base of the scar up to skin level. Finally, grafted skin is used to close the wound.

Subcutaneous Incision & Rolling Scars

Rolling scars are caused when fibrous bands of tissue develop between the skin layers. 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.

This procedure requires the use of a small needle or scalpel 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.