Proven Successful Acne Scar Treatments

Posts Tagged ‘Acne scar cream’

Being a teenager isn’t always easy, and it can be made a lot more complicated if you suffer from acne. It seems like everyone you talk to has a favorite story about what causes acne, or how to get rid of it. The trouble is, how do you know if what people are telling you is correct? Unfortunately there are loads of myths surrounding acne, and they get repeated endlessly despite the fact that they’re not true.

So what are some of the most popular acne myths? Well, the idea that eating chocolate and fatty foods gives you acne is one of the most popular myths. In fact, studies have shown that the only food you can eat that will aggravate acne is iodized salt. Although eating a healthy diet may help to keep your body functioning well, it’s not going to stop you getting acne. It’s possible, however, that if you get an outbreak of acne whenever you eat a particular type of food, that you in fact have a food allergy. In that case, discuss it with your health professional.

Another myth is that only teenagers get acne. Did you know that infants can get acne? And also five percent of women who are over 40 still get acne, because it’s triggered by their monthly cycle. They will continue to get it until they reach menopause. Even one percent of men still get acne at the same age.

Perhaps you’ve been told that if you just improve your hygiene, your acne will go away. Again, this is a myth. In fact, washing your face too much is likely to aggravate the blemishes, and may even make the outbreak worse. The bottom line is that it’s the overproduction of body oils that clogs the pores and causes acne, and constant washing can’t change that. Another myth is that getting out in the sun helps to dry out the excess oils, but that’s wrong as well. All you’re going to do is risk getting sunburnt, premature aging and maybe even skin cancer when you’re older.

Medications such as antibiotics are often used to clear up acne outbreaks, and very often are effective. Some people say that once the acne is gone you can stop taking the medication. In fact, this is not a good idea. Just because the blemishes have cleared up, doesn’t mean the bacteria that caused them have gone too. They may have only gone into remission temporarily. So you may find if you stop taking the medication the acne will reappear within days. Only cease the medication once your doctor advises you to do so.

Of course, some myths are good for a laugh, if nothing else. My favorite is the suggestion that sex causes acne. If it did, we’d have lots more adults with pimples! The idea that stress causes acne is another myth, although it’s likely that stress can aggravate an existing acne condition. One of the silliest myths is the suggestion that the best thing is just to leave it alone, and it’ll go away. Well, it’s certainly true that you shouldn’t touch, pop or squeeze pimples, because you spread the bacteria and make the acne worse, but there are other things you can do that will reduce the severity of the outbreak. There’s no miracle cure, but you should certainly do anything you can to help the situation.

Popularity: 95% [?]

Technorati Tags: acne myths, Acne pictures, Acne Redness, Acne scar cream

The Food and Drug Administration has approved several lasers for treating acne scars. While these lasers come from various manufacturers, the lasers generally receive FDA approval because the functions and safety levels of one laser are almost identical to previously approved lasers.

For example, enhanced lasers such as the CoolTouch CO2 (carbon dioxide) laser and recently approved Fraxel IV laser earned FDA approval because the devices have the same or similar wavelength and operating principles as previously approved devices.

Since a substantial portion of laser devices attain FDA approval based on the effectiveness of previously approved devices, how is the consumer to discern which laser is best for removing acne scarring?

Before we tackle that issue, another item makes reviewing medial studies of laser treatments for acne scars even more puzzling.

Thomas Rohrer, a dermatologic surgeon in private practice in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, elucidated this point in a Skin and Allergy News editorial. Dr. Rohrer gave an example of how evaluators of patient improvement levels after laser treatments could not independently or unbiasedly concur on the level of improvement in the patient’s skin.

For instance, in four separate studies, the same physician performed laser procedures on different groups of patients using the same type of laser. Yet, when study evaluators examined before and after images of the study participants, their opinions on the cosmetic improvements in the patient’s skin varied enormously.

The laser treatment conundrum Dr. Rohrer’s exposes is, ‘How could such varying results come from using the same device with the same technique, especially considering that the four studies were all performed by the same investigator?’

Dr. Rohrer proposes this inconsistency arises from the three categories of laser study evaluators. The the laser ‘enthusiasts’ give the procedure the best scores. The ‘ambivalent’ evaluators give scores in the middle range. And finally, the laser doubters give the lowest scores.

Regardless of the grave variables tainting laser studies, the number of treatments needed and the overall acne scarring improvement level do allow a means to rank cosmetic lasers. Here’s how four competing lasers to treat acne scars compare.

#4 1,064-nm Nd:YAG pulsed light system

Treatments: 8

Improvement rating: 29.36%

Marketed names include PhotoSilk Laser

Last year, a study in Dermatologic Surgery tested the efficacy of the 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser at removing acne scars. Nine patients received eight treatments for moderate to severe acne scarring. Three independent physicians assessed the overall improvement level of acne scarring severity for the group at 29.36%.

# 3 1,320-nm Nd:YAG

Treatments: 5

Improvement rating: 40-60%

Marketed names include CoolTouch Laser

An investigation from the same journal featured eight patients with facial acne scars. The group received eight treatments with the 1,320-nm Nd:YAG laser. After five treatments, independent observes assessed the overall acne scarring improvement rate between 40-60 %.

# 2 1,450-nm diode laser

Marketed names include Smoothbeam Laser

In a split test comparison between the 1,450-nm laser and 1,320-nm laser at treating mild to moderate atrophic (indented, or lost skin tissue) acne scarring, the 1,450-nm laser demonstrated greater improvement in acne scarring.

#1 1,550-nm erbium-doped fiber laser

Treatments: 3

Improvement rating: 51-75%

Marketed names include Fraxel Laser

This past March, a study in Dermatologic Surgery tested the 1,550-nm erbium-doped fiber laser on fifty-three patients with mild to moderate atrophic facial acne scars. After three treatments, two independent reviewers judged a 51-75% improvement in the scarring of 90% of the study participants.

Again, these ratings are based on the improvement levels patients coping with mild to severe acne scarring experienced after various laser treatments. As Dr. Rohrer explained, it is difficult to predict what your skin will look like after a laser treatment for acne scarring because many of the patient assessments during the studies were based on opinions of before and after photos.

To reduce the unpredictability surrounding laser correction of acne scars, ask your laser surgeon for before and after images of laser cosmetic procedures she has performed in the past months. Then judge the overall acne scarring improvement level for yourself.

Sources:

Alster, Tina; Elizabeth L Tanzi & Melissa Lazarus. The Use of Fractional Laser Photothermolysis for the Treatment of Atrophic Scars. Dermatologic Surgery; March 2007, vol 33, no 3, pp 295-299.

Lipper, Graeme M & Maritza Perez. Nonablative Acne Scar Reduction after a Series of Treatments with a Short-Pulsed 1,064-nm Neodymium:YAG Laser. Dermatologic Surgery; August 2006, vol 32, no 8, pp 998-1006.

Rohrer, Thomas E. Ethics in Cosmetic Laser Treatments. Skin and Allergy News; May 2007, vol 38, no 5, pp 14-15.

Sadick NS & AK Schecter. A Preliminary Study of Utilization of the 1320-nm Nd:YAG Laser for the Treatment of Acne Scarring. Dermatologic Surgery; July 2004, vol 30, no 7, pp 995-1000.

Tanzi, Elizabeth L & Tina S Alster. Comparison of a 1450-nm Diode Laser and a 1320-nm Nd:YAG Laser in the Treatment of Atrophic Facial Scars: A Prospective Clinical and Histologic Study. Dermatologic Surgery; February 2004, vol 30, no 2, pp 152-157.

Popularity: 41% [?]

Technorati Tags: Acne scar cream, Body Acne treatment, Laser Acne Scar Solution, Laser Acne scar treatment, Laser Acne treatment reviews, Remove scars

There are different treatments for acne scars. The most common scar treatments are dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, chemical peels, punch techniques, subcision and augmentation. Each treatment is used for certain types of scars, so a thorough examination by a highly qualified and experienced dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon will help determine the procedure or combination of procedures that is right for you.

Dermabrasion

The oldest of all resurfacing methods, dermabrasion was largely eclipsed by the laser craze of the mid 1990s, as dermatologists by the droves did away with their old dermabrasion equipment to embrace the new technology.

This is a procedure in which a rapidly rotating, abrasive metal wheel is used to mechanically remove layers of skin. It takes a skilled touch to get the best results; unskilled technique can produce an unnaturally contoured skin surface as wavy as unevenly sanded wood.

Laser Resurfacing

A common method for acne scarring is laser resurfacing. It uses a laser beam to pass through a chamber filled with carbon dioxide gas, or with Erbium, the crystal through which the beam passes. Experts regard this treatment with the carbon dioxide laser as a high standard to resurface the skin.

Chemical Peels

These peels contain higher concentrations of salicylic acid (approximately 20-30 percent) than those found in consumer products (typically 0.5-2 percent). Peels are helpful for unclogging pores, clearing acne, and improving brown spots.

Punch Techniques

Another common means of removal is called punch excision, typically used for ice pick scars. The scar is punched out of the skin with a biopsy punch instrument that looks a little like an apple corer. This leaves a tiny cylindrical hole. Depending on its size and location, the cavity is then either closed with a small suture, or filled in with what is known as a punch graft, a plug of skin taken from behind the patient’s ear.

Subcision

For large, nondistensible scars, some doctors use a method call subcision, inserting a beveled needle under the scar and moving it back and forth to cut the fibrous strands of collagen that are holding it down. This can be useful for some scars, but there are trade-off. You get a fair amount of bruising and discoloration with subcision, which can take a long time to heal.

The acne scar treatments above do work for removing scars left behind from acne. However, if you’re looking for a less invasive, quicker way to remove scars and imperfections without the bother of salons, costly procedures, or reconstructive methods, there is a simpler solution that will bring you results in a shorter period of time.

Popularity: 33% [?]

Technorati Tags: Acne pictures, Acne Redness, Acne scar cream

Back acne, like other forms of acne is caused by hormones acting on the oil producing glands in the skin. This interaction leads to clogged pores and outbreaks on the surface of the skin. Natural back acne treatments are available to help deal with both the external outbreak and the infection that occurs under the surface of the skin.

The following list of natural remedies for back acne has provided relief and comfort for many. Try them out for yourself:

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is applied directly to the surface area of the infected skin. The oil penetrates the skins surface helping to control the infection while keeping the surface skin supple and hydrated. Tea tree oil soap may be used to treat the whole back and prevent further breakouts.

Capsule Supplements

Some evidence indicates that supplementing the diet with capsules containing Brewers yeast, potassium, magnesium and zinc help as a natural back acne treatment.

Lavender Essential Oil

When used as a natural back acne treatment lavender essential oil is rubbed on the skin surface. It stimulates circulation to the infected area, helping to naturally cleanse the tissue. It is also a natural antiseptic and is used to treat wounds and burns to prevent scaring.

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel has strong astringent properties and may be helpful in cleansing the skin area around a breakout of back acne or as a cooling toner that can be applied to the back as a natural acne treatment.

Aloe Vera

While aloe vera does not stop outbreaks, it is a very effective natural back acne treatment for skin repair and reducing redness, swelling and scaring. Aloe vera is applied in gel form after a thorough washing of the affected area.

Natural Apple Cider Vinegar

This product, found in most health food stores, can be effective in treating back acne. Apply the apple cider vinegar, diluted with three parts water, to the acne at least twice a day. After a week increase the strength of the solution to half and half. If there is no irritation you can dab on the apple cider vinegar full strength. The astringent properties of the vinegar help clear up the acne. Discontinue use or go back to a weaker dilution if skin becomes irritated or burns after application.

Popularity: 26% [?]

Technorati Tags: Acne scar cream, Acne Scar Treatment, Scar Solution