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. 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. They type of scar treatment you decide on will depend on the type of scarring you have and the extent of the scar tissue.

Choosing the Best Scar Treatment Option for You

Surgery is usually the best option for 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.

Ice Pick Scars & Punch Excision

Cystic acne can leave behind a scar that makes the skin appear 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 is usually a deep scar that extends into the dermis.

Punch excision 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.

Sometimes, the extent of the excised skin is so large that it needs to be sealed using grafted skin. Once again, a straight scar will appear, but much 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 generally involves punch elevation that is later followed by dermal fillers or laser treatment.

Punch elevation is similar to punch excision, the only difference is that the walls of the scar are left untouched. Fillers or sutures are used to bring the base of the scar to skin level. The final step is the use of grafted skin to close the wound.

Subcutaneous Incision for 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.

In this procedure a small needle or scalpel is used to separate the epidermis from the deeper scar tissue. The epidermis will become more level once the blood accumulates in the space between these two layers. In some cases dermal fillers may be required if the scar tissue is too deep.