Just how many different ways can you treat acne scars?

You’ve made a decision – it is time to do something about your acne scars.  You’ve been depressed and self-conscious about your appearance for years.  You notice the way people are looking at your face and not at you.  The real you is anxious and eager to come out and ready to seek treatment for your acne scars.

First step you took was making an appointment and speaking with your healthcare provider.  He or she has provided you with a lot of information and several treatment methods.  It’s exciting and overwhelming all at once.  So you decide to do some online research as well.  Oh. Wow!  There are A LOT of websites and information, including this blog.  You’re more overwhelmed.  So here is a brief summary of several types of acne scar treatments.  This list is not all-inclusive, but it might help you to understand some the different options available to you. 

Topical treatments are medical lotions or creams that are applied to the top of your skin.  They remove the very topmost skin layer and can improve your skin surface.  These are most likely prescribed for inflammation and skin color changes from acne, not to treat acne scars.  They are prescribed by your physician for you to use at home.  We can also include a lot of over-the-counter skin cream products.  While these can help minimize acne scars, they will not treat or remove the acne scars.

Dermal fillers are collagen or other substances that are injected into the skin to minimize acne scars.  They do not remove acne scars, just temporarily fill them in if at all.  If they do work, follow up injections are needed to maintain skin appearance. 

Laser treatments are performed in your doctor’s office.  There are several types of laser treatments, but they basically use the heat of the laser beam to either burn off the skins outer layer to remove the scars, or to firm up the collagen in the middle layer of your skin.  There are limitations and laser treatments cannot be used on darker skin.  Recovery time can be longer depending upon the type of laser treatment done.

Dermabrasion is a surgical procedure to remove acne scars by abrading or wearing away the outermost layers of the skin.  It is done under anesthesia and has a long recovery time.

Micro-needling is an in-office procedure that uses a medical-office-grade roller to create tiny holes in the skin to stimulate skin stem cells and fibroblasts which produce collagen fibers and other tissue components.  The stimulation to create more collagen fibers uses your skin's own healing mechanisms to visibly reduce and fill in the scars.  There are both home-use and medical-office-grade skin rollers depending upon the application and type of treatment needed.

This is an important decision, the first conversation on your treatment plan should be with your healthcare provider.  Not all over-the-counter remedies and treatments will effectively treat acne scars and some may interact with medications or acne treatments you may have previously used.

Here at the Original Medical Dermaroller® Blog we’d like to suggest discussing the use of the Original German Dermaroller® with your healthcare provider.  Micro-needling treatment with an Original German Dermaroller® is a safe and natural way to treat your acne scars with minimal recovery time after the procedure and quick results to help restore your skin and your self confidence.