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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.

However, there are times when preventing acne scars is near impossible due to the severity of the acne breakout. 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.

Choosing the Best Scar Treatment Option for You

Surgery is the best option for treating extensive scarring. There are three very common types of surgery. They are punch excision, punch elevation, and subcision also known as subcutaneous incision. After having undergone one of these procedures the specialist will usually follow-up with laser resurfacing or dermal fillers.

Punch Excision & 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 known as an ice pick scar. It is usually deep and 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. The result is 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.

Boxcar Scars & Punch Elevation

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, the only difference is that the walls of the scar are left untouched. The base of the scar is brought up to skin level using fillers or sutures. Finally, grafted skin is used 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 begin pulling down on the epidermis making the skin take on a wave-like appearance. 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. The epidermis will become more level once the blood accumulates in the space between these two layers. Dermal fillers may be required if the scar tissue is too deep.