Acne scarring is usually the result of severe acne. This occurs when this type of acne is left untreated and becomes more likely to develop unsightly scars. This is why the best way to avoid acne scars is to treat acne.

However, sometimes preventing acne scars is almost impossible 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.

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 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 with skin grafting 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 then sutured together, forming 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.

Punch Elevation and Boxcar Scars

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 is generally punch elevation 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. The specialist will use fillers or sutures to bring the base of the scar up to skin level. Grafted skin is used 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 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.

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.