Facial Scar Treatment – How it is Performed

Facial scar treatment is performed to minimize or improve the appearance of scars on the face with both surgical and nonsurgical methods. There are various facial scar treatments, and the best method depends on the type of scarring and the ability of their body to heal itself.

Scars can be raised, indented or flat in appearance and some nonsurgical options for facial scar treatments include corticosteroid injections, lasers, microdermabrasion and chemical peels. Surgical facial scar treatment, which is also known as scar revision, involves the removal or cutting out of the scar so it can heal in a more aesthetically pleasing manner.

Facial Scar Treatment – Ideal Candidates

An ideal candidate for a facial scar treatment includes patients bothered by their facial scarring such as acne scarring or flat, raised, and red scars. It does not include patients with an active acne breakout or someone with certain skin conditions or skin diseases in the treatment area.

Facial Scar Treatment – How it is Performed

Facial scar treatment procedures are usually performed in an office and the procedure time and technique depends on the type of treatment.

Raised and/or red scars are typically treated with cortisone injections, but compression bandages can also be applied to help reduce the redness as well as flatten the scar. Microdermabrasion, laser treatments or chemical peels can treat indented scars and some flat scars. During these treatments, the facial area is numbed with a topical cream or a fan blowing cool air may be used to ease discomfort. A special sanding tip, chemical or laser is applied or passed over the skin to remove the top layers of skin and reveal new, fresher-looking skin.

Scar revision is a surgical procedure that involves cutting out the scar and then the doctor closes the new wound with stitches. A hollow, bladed instrument is used to punch out the scar from the skin. While these surgical procedures will still cause a scar, the new scar will be more cosmetically appealing in appearance.

Scar treatment

Facial Scar Treatment Recovery and Results

The recovery period after a facial scar treatment differs according to the procedure that is performed and the ability of the patient to heal. The patient might need a week of rest after the treatment depending on how big the scar is and how aggressively it is treated.

Patients might see some redness, bruising, peeling, or swelling after facial scar treatments. This will be followed by a pinkness that can last anywhere from several weeks to several months. Patients who have a surgical procedure may have some bleeding and will need stitches on the wound. Patients should avoid the UV rays of the sun as the skin will be sensitive to sunburns.

It can take some time for noticeable improvements to appear since many of the treatments rely on new skin growth as well as collagen stimulation. In addition, some of the treatments only require one treatment while others require multiple treatments. Patients that require multiple sessions that take place over a period of several weeks, or even multiple months, may have various recovery periods and will need to wait a longer time before the results can be appreciated due to additional swelling and/or peeling.

Approximately three months after most nonsurgical facial scar treatments, the patient can begin to easily visualize the results. Surgical facial scar treatment methods can produce an aesthetically pleasing scar which will replace the original scar. However, it can take a full year for this scar to effectively fade from red to a pale color. In order to maintain their results, patients will need to use sunblock when they are outside in order to protect the new skin and/or scars.

Facial Scar Treatments – Risks and Limitations

One of the main limitations of facial scar treatments is the fact that most scars cannot be completely removed. However, their appearance can be improved by a surgeon. Patients with darker skin tones might experience permanent skin discoloration after some facial scar treatments. Facial scars that are the result of an injury or surgical procedure are limited from most facial scar treatments until the scar has fully healed. The surgeon has to wait in this case because performing certain treatments too soon can actually cause the scar to become worse in appearance.

Some of the risks of facial scar treatments include:

  • Redness
  • Skin irritation (much like a sunburn)
  • Bleeding
  • Swelling
  • Infection
  • Poor wound healing
  • Damage to the underlying structures
  • Scarring

Many of the side effects that result from facial scar treatments are minimal and the risks are usually rare. Having said that, it is important for patients to understand all possible risks before agreeing to any cosmetic procedure. In order to minimize the risks and promote better results, patients need to use the services of a board-certified surgeon who is experienced in treating a facial scar. A board-certified doctor can accurately assess the type of scar and determine the most appropriate scar treatment option. Patients should also follow all post-treatment instructions in order to gain the best results.

Learn how to Finally Get Rid of Acne Scars

Once those red or white menaces make an appearance on your face, you normally have three to five days of dealing with the unsightly appearance of pimples. While some people have the ability to leave these little monsters alone, others tend to pick, scratch and pop them until there’s no life left in them. Doctors and dermatologists suggest that leaving pimples alone can help minimize the aftermath since further trauma to the skin can cause acne scarring. However, even a pimple that is untouched can turn into acne scarring that seems impossible to conceal. Nevertheless, scarring doesn’t have to be permanent. Learn how to finally get rid of acne scars.

Acne scar removal

At-Home Treatments for Acne Issues

Skin care experts agree that there are numerous ways to prevent and treat acne scarring. Resurfacing products can help with existing acne and acne scars. Glycolic acid and Lactic acid help to minimize the depth and severity of scars while working to keep the pores clear. A cream with the active ingredient of salicylic acid can also work well. Retinol or vitamin A is known for a variety of skin-boosting benefits but few know about its resurfacing attributes which can help with acne outbreaks and scar healing. In mild doses, vitamin A can dry up the production of sebum. When there is less sebum in the pores, the odds of the pores becoming clogged is reduced which decreases the chance of an outbreak. In a case where a person already has scarring caused by acne, vitamin A promotes shedding of the dead skin cells. This stimulates cell turnover and collagen production to help minimize the depth of scarring and combat existing blemishes. While these treatments can work very well, it can take time to see great results. Therefore, some people opt for one of several clinical treatments that can quickly and effectively remove or reduce acne scarring while clearing the pores for a brighter complexion.

Non-Invasive Treatments for Acne Scarring

Microneedling, dermal fillers and microdermabrasion are some of the less invasive clinical treatments available for acne scarring. Each of these treatments can minimize the appearance of scars by allowing the body to naturally heal itself while encouraging or increasing collagen production. Microneedling uses tiny acupuncture-like needles to encourage the skin’s natural repair system. This treatment does not remove any layers of skin so it can be performed on any skin type and has minimal recovery time. Dermal fillers can be used to fill-in depressed skin that is created from volume loss caused by the inflammatory process during an acne infection. The filler is injected into the depressed scar to plump up the skin. Most dermal fillers are made of hyaluronic acid which naturally occurs in the body. Therefore, they are easily accepted by the body and have little to no side effects or recovery time. However, dermal fillers are temporary and will be naturally absorbed by the body over time. Microdermabrasion is a treatment which uses a diamond tip device or a spray of fine crystals to buff the superficial layer of dead skin cells. The body interprets the exfoliation as an injury and replaces the dead cells with healthy new cells. Microdermabrasion can also be used on all skin tones and does not require a lengthy downtime. Since these non-invasive treatments tend to be gentler, it can take several treatment sessions to gain adequate results.

Customized Treatments for Acne Scarring

Alternative treatments may include laser resurfacing or chemical peels. Both treatments are considered minimally invasive. Laser resurfacing and chemical peels can be customized from light treatments with a minor recovery period to an aggressive treatment requiring up to 14 days of recovery. These treatments work by removing the top layers of skin with either heat or chemicals creating a controlled wound. The body will respond to the trauma and create a new layer of skin which will be smoother and firmer looking. Although these cosmetic procedures have the potential for a higher rate of complications, they can quickly and effectively treat acne scarring with as little as one treatment. Anyone considering these treatments should consult with a board-certified doctor to see if laser resurfacing or a chemical peel is right for them since these treatments are not recommended for patients with darker skin tones or certain medical conditions.

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Benefits of Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a popular dermatology skin care treatment that is often overlooked since many people do not really know what it is. Microdermabrasion is a non-chemical and non-invasive exfoliating procedure, which uses a handheld device to gently remove the top layer of skin. The treatment does not require recovery or downtime on the part of the patient. The device is made up of superfine crystals, which scratch the surface of the skin. A suction process is then used to immediately remove the dead skin cells and crystals. The process minimizes facial blemishes and fine lines while causing the body to produce new cells. The end result is healthy and more youthful looking skin.

How Microdermabrasion Benefits Patients

MIcrodermabrasionMicrodermabrasion is for all skin types and can benefit a person who has:

  • Fine lines
  • Wrinkles
  • Age spots
  • Clogged pores

It can also minimize acne scars and improve oily or dull skin through the process of gentle exfoliation.

Since the skin is not wounded or abraded below the epidermis, the treatment is painless and no anesthesia is needed. Although microdermabrasion does not abrade the lower levels of skin, it can help promote healthier internal skin by enhancing the circulation. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, patients will only feel a scratching or mild stinging during microdermabrasion. There is no need to take time off work since recovery time is not necessary. Since microdermabrasion can be completed in as little as 30 minutes, it is often called a “lunchtime facial”. However, patients may need several sessions to gain the desired outcome. The skin may appear pink and slightly swollen but these side effects generally subside in one day. Nevertheless, a dermatologist will apply a moisturizer after the treatment and recommend a sun protection plan since the new layer of skin will be subject to burns.

DIY Microdermabrasion

Patients that dislike the sensation of the microdermabrasion device, or those who want to gain results at home, may benefit from a manual microdermabrasion product. Pumice Peel can be used at home or in a spa setting to buff away fine lines and dullness and to improve the condition of the pores with ultra-fine pumice crystals. Pumice crystals are known to naturally exfoliate and smooth the skin. Pumice peel contains hydrogenated polydecene, vitamin E and vitamin C for hydrating and brightening the skin. While performing the treatment at home is convenient, patients may not get sufficient results with home kits. To get optimal results, and to avoid potential complications, it is best to seek the services of a qualified medical professional for microdermabrasion.

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Microdermabrasion for Healthy Skin

The reality of acne scars is that many individuals are affected by them not only through puberty, but well into our adult lives. Whether it is on our face, or other areas of our body. Some people may recover from having acne without any permanent scars, while others may be prone to and left with scars, especially when acne is disrupted unnaturally. Mild acne scars can be treated with over the counter and prescription medications or topical skin products. However, if your case is more severe and these products/medications are not working for you, skin resurfacing is the next available option.
Microdermabrasion for Healthy SkinMicrodermabrasion is a popular procedure being done to help reduce the appearance of acne scars. This procedure also leaves ones skin looking brighter and softer. It can be performed with all skin types and tones.

During the process of microdermabrasion, tiny crystals will be sprayed onto your skin which will remove the outer layer very gently. The procedure is done without the use of any numbing medication. After the procedure, your skin will feel dry and have a tightness. Usually the skin will turn pink for about a day and will resume back to normal by the second day, but sun exposure should still be avoided. In order to hydrate your skin, the doctor will most likely tell you to use a moisturizer and drink plenty of water until the dryness of your skin goes away.

It is important to visit your dermatologist routinely to keep your skin youthful, glowing, and radiant.