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 exactly why it is best to treat acne if what you want is to avoid acne scarring.

However, sometimes preventing acne scars is almost impossible due to the severity of the acne. In these cases, scar removal becomes a reality. Scar treatment will depend on the type of scarring you have and the extent of the scar tissue.

How to Choose the Best Scar Treatment Option for You

The best way to treat extensive scarring is through surgery. The most common types of surgical interventions include punch excision, punch elevation, and subcision. These procedures are usually followed-up by using dermal fillers or laser resurfacing.

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 what specialists call an ice pick scar. It is usually a deep scar that extends into the dermis.

Punch excision or punch excision with 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 sutured together resulting in 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 much less noticeable than the ice pick scar that it will ultimately replace.

Punch Elevation & Boxcar Scars

Boxcar scars are usually oval or round-shaped and wider than icepick scars. 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 usually punch elevation and dermal fillers or laser treatment.

Punch elevation is similar to punch excision, however, in this case of punch elevation 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. The final step is the use of grafted skin to close the wound.

Subcutaneous Incision & Rolling Scars

Rolling scars are formed when fibrous bands of tissue develop in between the layers of skin. These bands pull down the epidermis making the skin take on a wave-like appearance. In cases such as this, the best treatment option is subcision.

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. In some cases dermal fillers may be required if the scar tissue is too deep.