Displaying items by tag: how to treat acne scars
For most people acne will clear up when they enter their twenties but if it has left you with scars these will persist, perhaps for life. To deal with these scars and to minimise their appearance a number of options are available. Which is the best acne scar treatment for you and your budget? Hopefully, the information below will help you to choose a suitable treatment that's within your price range.
Microdermabrasion
What type of scars is it suitable for? Microdermabrasion is best used on raised, small acne scars. It's not suitable for indented scars or those that are deep.
How does microdermabrasion work? This process exfoliates the skin and removes any cells that are damaged or dead on the skin's surface. Tiny crystals of aluminium oxide, sodium chloride, magnesium oxide or zinc oxide are sprayed onto the skin under pressure to remove the dead cells from the scarred area. It is also effective at cleaning the pores. The treatment rarely has side effects and needs no recovery time.
How much does it cost? For each treatment expect to pay between $80 and $200. A complete course will be around $1000.
Laser Skin Rejuvenation
What type of scars is it suitable for? Laser skin rejuvenation is suitable for deep or indented scars.
How does laser skin rejuvenation work? This treatment is different from microdermabrasion as it does not work on the top layer of the skin but deeper, in the collagen layer. Collagen is the structural component of the skin and laser treatment stimulates it's growth in the affected area. Growth of new collagen will then fill in the pits and indentations caused by the acne and cause the scar to disappear over time. A course of five or six treatments over a month or more is usually required to be effective. The treatment does not usually cause any side effects except a temporary redness which lasts only a few hours.
How much does laser skin rejuvenation cost? For each treatment expect to pay $500. A complete course will be around $2000.
Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing
What type of scars is it suitable for? Fractional laser skin resurfacing is suitable for all types of acne scars.
How does fractional laser skin resurfacing work? There are two forms of this treatment used, ablative and non-ablative. Non-ablative is used on milder acne scars and has a shorter recovery period. A laser is used in bith cases to cause damage to areas around the scar. This results in stimulation of the collagen to grow and replace scar tissue with new growth. Although fractional laser skin resurfacing is the most expensive treatment it is generally acknowledged as being the best.
How much does fractional laser skin resurfacing cost? For each treatment expect to pay between $800 to $2500. A complete course will be anywhere between $5000 and $10,000.
Dermal Filling
What type of scars is dermal filling suitable for? Dermal filling is suitable for indented acne scars.
How does dermal filling work? This is a temporary method that used collagen injections to fill in the pits and indentations left by the acne. Eventually the collagen becomes absorbed by the body and the scars resume their original appearance. This usually takes a few months to a year. Originally animal collagen was used but newer synthetic materials such as Perlane® or Restylane® are now available which last for longer and do not carry a risk of allergic reaction.
How much does dermal filling cost? Costs vary considerably from $300 upwards depending on the treatment recommended.
Chemical Peels
What type of scars is a chemical peel suitable for? Chemical peels are suitable for mild scarring.
How does a chemical peel work? Chemical peels, although less popular nowadays for acne scar treatment, can be effective for mild scarring. They work by removing the top layer of the skin to leave healthy, unscarred skin visible. Two of the most popular are glycolic acid and salicylic acid chemical peels. Treatment takes about fifteen to twenty minutes and you may feel some mild stinging or irritation. You may also experience some redness, dryness or irritation after the treatment but this should be temporary and only last a few days. For effective treatment of acne scars you will need at least three treatments.
How much does a chemical peel cost? For each treatment expect to pay between $500 and $900. A complete course will be around $1500.
Conclusion
The best acne scar treatment for you should be decided in consultation with a dermatologist who will assess your skin and the extent of your scarring. You will also need to take into account your budget as some of the treatments are very expensive.
Microdermabrasion
What type of scars is it suitable for? Microdermabrasion is best used on raised, small acne scars. It's not suitable for indented scars or those that are deep.
How does microdermabrasion work? This process exfoliates the skin and removes any cells that are damaged or dead on the skin's surface. Tiny crystals of aluminium oxide, sodium chloride, magnesium oxide or zinc oxide are sprayed onto the skin under pressure to remove the dead cells from the scarred area. It is also effective at cleaning the pores. The treatment rarely has side effects and needs no recovery time.
How much does it cost? For each treatment expect to pay between $80 and $200. A complete course will be around $1000.
Laser Skin Rejuvenation
What type of scars is it suitable for? Laser skin rejuvenation is suitable for deep or indented scars.
How does laser skin rejuvenation work? This treatment is different from microdermabrasion as it does not work on the top layer of the skin but deeper, in the collagen layer. Collagen is the structural component of the skin and laser treatment stimulates it's growth in the affected area. Growth of new collagen will then fill in the pits and indentations caused by the acne and cause the scar to disappear over time. A course of five or six treatments over a month or more is usually required to be effective. The treatment does not usually cause any side effects except a temporary redness which lasts only a few hours.
How much does laser skin rejuvenation cost? For each treatment expect to pay $500. A complete course will be around $2000.
Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing
What type of scars is it suitable for? Fractional laser skin resurfacing is suitable for all types of acne scars.
How does fractional laser skin resurfacing work? There are two forms of this treatment used, ablative and non-ablative. Non-ablative is used on milder acne scars and has a shorter recovery period. A laser is used in bith cases to cause damage to areas around the scar. This results in stimulation of the collagen to grow and replace scar tissue with new growth. Although fractional laser skin resurfacing is the most expensive treatment it is generally acknowledged as being the best.
How much does fractional laser skin resurfacing cost? For each treatment expect to pay between $800 to $2500. A complete course will be anywhere between $5000 and $10,000.
Dermal Filling
What type of scars is dermal filling suitable for? Dermal filling is suitable for indented acne scars.
How does dermal filling work? This is a temporary method that used collagen injections to fill in the pits and indentations left by the acne. Eventually the collagen becomes absorbed by the body and the scars resume their original appearance. This usually takes a few months to a year. Originally animal collagen was used but newer synthetic materials such as Perlane® or Restylane® are now available which last for longer and do not carry a risk of allergic reaction.
How much does dermal filling cost? Costs vary considerably from $300 upwards depending on the treatment recommended.
Chemical Peels
What type of scars is a chemical peel suitable for? Chemical peels are suitable for mild scarring.
How does a chemical peel work? Chemical peels, although less popular nowadays for acne scar treatment, can be effective for mild scarring. They work by removing the top layer of the skin to leave healthy, unscarred skin visible. Two of the most popular are glycolic acid and salicylic acid chemical peels. Treatment takes about fifteen to twenty minutes and you may feel some mild stinging or irritation. You may also experience some redness, dryness or irritation after the treatment but this should be temporary and only last a few days. For effective treatment of acne scars you will need at least three treatments.
How much does a chemical peel cost? For each treatment expect to pay between $500 and $900. A complete course will be around $1500.
Conclusion
The best acne scar treatment for you should be decided in consultation with a dermatologist who will assess your skin and the extent of your scarring. You will also need to take into account your budget as some of the treatments are very expensive.
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Skin Care
