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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. This is why 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 such as these, scar removal becomes a reality. Scar treatment will depend greatly on the type of scarring and the extent of the scar tissue.

How to Choose the Best Scar Treatment Option for You

Surgery is the best option for treating extensive scarring. The most common types of surgical interventions include punch excision, punch elevation, and subcision. After having undergone one of these procedures the specialist will usually follow-up with 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 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.

A cookie cutter like instrument is used in this procedure to remove scar tissue. The remaining skin is sutured together resulting in 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, 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. The main cause is a loss of tissue that has resulted 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, 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

When fibrous bands of tissue develop between the skin layers the result is a rolling scar. These bands begin pulling down on the epidermis making the skin take on a wave-like appearance. The best treatment option is subcision.

A small needle or scalpel is used 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. Dermal fillers may be required if the scar tissue is too deep.