Microdermabrasion Scar Treatment

It would be very hard to find someone that does not have at least one scar. Scars are the result of a traumatic experience that has caused inflammation and cell damage. The severity and extent of the scar is a direct result of the amount of trauma a person has experienced.

Some people have no problems accepting these marks as part of life, but other won't stop until they find a way of getting rid of them for good. Fortunately, there are several different treatment options available for this type of skin problem. Skin creams are a very common way of treating scars, especially acne scars. Laser therapy and other resurfacing techniques are also fairly widespread, however, for now we'll only focus on one common treatment for scar removal - skin microdermabrasion.

Microdermabrasion came first began in 1985 when a group of Italian doctors created the first microdermabrasion machine in response to the risks of dermabrasion. Its popularity skyrocketed in the late 1990s with the invention of more sophisticated machines. If your set on using more aggressive treatments such as dermabrasion or chemical peels, then it's because you don't know the benefits ofmicrodermabrasion.

Microdermabrasion is less aggressive and requires less downtime. As a matter of fact, most people don't need any rest after treatment and can go back to work immediately. This is also why some people have dubbed this treatmen as a "lunchtime" treatment. Another difference between dermabrasion and microdermabrasion is that microdermabrasion doesn't require anesthesia. A great benefit for people with sensitive skin is that they can use gentler crystals, instead of the usual crystals.

Some resurfacing techniques will actually cause more scars instead of eliminating them, however, microdermabrasion is so gentle that it will only work on removing scar tissue. Which also means that you will never have to worry about wound care either when undergoing this type of treatment.

Bothe aluminum oxide and sodium bicarbonate are most often used in traditional microdermabrasion. Aluminum oxide crystals, for example, are great for scar treatments while sodium bicarbonate crystals are softer and are most often used to treat hyperpigmentation and milder skin problems. Both of these ingredients are antiseptic and non-toxic. Aluminum oxide is very inexpensive, which makes it the more popular of the two types of materials. Nevertheless, sodium bicarbonate is gaining popularity due to its neutral pH and gentle nature.

Microdermabrasion can be done by using loose, abrading micro-crystals or a diamond tipped wand that offers various degrees of coarseness. Both forms of abrasion work in much the same way and offer similar results with similar prices. Many people have stated that the only reason to pick one over the other is to avoid ingesting or inhaling loose crystals.

Treat Scars on the Nose

The way in which you treat a scar on the nose is really dependent on the type of scar. For many people with a scar on this area of the face, it's usually a result of acne or chickenpox. Others may experience scarring due to trauma or other medical conditions. Regardless of how the scar formed, it's often possible to reduce its signs with medications and medical procedures. There's even a self-care method that can bring about positive results.

Try massaging the scar. Raised scars can respond favorably to regular massage. You're essentially breaking down scar tissue so that it flattens out with the rest of the skin. This method may take several months to provide results.

Talk to your doctor about corticosteroids. The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology recommends corticosteroid injections along raised scars on the skin, causing them to soften and even out with the rest of the skin. Even those affecting the nose can respond to this type of treatment. However, you may need to use a cortisone tape on such a sensitive area.

Invest in a silicone-based gel. This type of treatment is best for raised scars, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Simply apply the solution onto the scar to cause it to soften and flatten with the rest of the skin.

Consider a soft-tissue filler. The Mayo Clinic recommends this type of procedure for acne scars that are sunken into the skin. Collagen or fat can be injected under the scar to level it with the rest of your skin. This is a temporary treatment, as the filler dissipates over time.

Talk to a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon about a resurfacing procedure. Both dermabrasion and laser therapy are considered skin resurfacing. They can work on both raised and sunken scars. The top layer of the skin is removed, prompting new skin growth, while the lower layers are stimulated, which can cause the production of collagen. Collagen can firm the skin, reducing the signs of scarring on the nose.

Think about cosmetic surgery. While this is probably the most expensive method of scar removal, you may be able to completely eliminate the appearance of scarring on the nose with cosmetic surgery. Punch grafts use donor skin from another area of the body to replace scarred tissue. A small suture is needed to attach the graft, but it can be less noticeable than the original scar.

Scar Treatment Procedures

No scar can be completely removed. They will always leave behind a trace, but a number of procedures can improve their appearance.

Surgery
Surgery will never completely remove a scar but can be used to alter its location or shape to make it less noticeable. Surgery is at times necessary to remove a scar on skin near a joint where it restricts movement, but it will leave another scar.

Laser surgery & resurfacing
The use of laser on scars is still on an experimental phase, as the safety or effectiveness has not yet been proven.

Steroid injections
A course of steroid injections into the scar may help flatten and soften the appearance of keloid or hypertrophic scars.

Z-Plasty
Z-plasty is a surgical technique used to relocate a scar so that it more closely matches to the natural creases of the skin, where it will be less noticeable. In this procedure, the old scar is removed and new incisions are made on each side, creating small triangular flaps of skin.

Skin grafting
Grafting involves the transfer of skin from a healthy part of the body to cover the injured area. All grafts leave some scarring at the donor and recipient sites.

Make sure that your expectations from any surgery are realistic. You cannot expect that old scars will completely disappear; however, they will always turn flatter, paler and softer.

Dermabrasion Scar Treatment

Dermabrasion is considered as one of the best surgical options for those in search of effective scar removal treatments. This age-old treatment has been used for ages to remove damaged layers of skin and give way to rejuvenated and healthy looking skin. There are several types of skin treatments that are used to remove scars. They vary in their procedure, but strive for a common goal - scar removal.

Laser dermabrasion: This type of treatment is a laser resurfacing treatment that involves different types of laser impulses to remove damaged skin. This laser skin resurfacing treatment is used on patients with inactive acne and disfiguring scars as an alternative to dermabrasion. Dermabrasion stretch marks: Dermabrasion is used on all types of scars as a scar removal treatment. This includes stretch marks and acne scars. However, dermabrasion isn't always effective on stretch marks because it doesn't reach deep enough into the skin to make a difference.

Chemical peel: A chemical Peel is a process that is done with a chemical substance that peels away the outer skin layer. It is considered to be one of the safest and most effective cosmetic treatments available, but is not recommended for dark skin. Microdermabrasion: Any type of microdermabrasion treatment will be more affordable and less invasive than another type of dermabrasion such as laser dermabrasion. Since this treatment doesn't require professional supervision it can be found over-the-counter, an added benefit to those too busy to find time for a professional treatment.

Dermabrasion is an aggressive procedure that goes deep into the skin and may, at times, result in bleeding. It is performed by a physician and is used to manage superficial scars and contour scar irregularities. A microdermabrasion treatment exfoliates the skin by virtually sand-blasting the uppermost skin layer. It is not as aggressive as dermabrasion and should not produce bleeding. Microdermabrasion treatments are performed by an aesthetician.

Fractional laser for scars

Second-generation erbium-doped 1550-nm laser is highly effective for fractional nonablative treatment of acne and surgical scars, and for moderate photoaging, data from a review of 877 cases revealed. All patients had clear photographic documentation of improvement, with most achieving 70%-80% improvement. Treatment parameters and treatment number varied based on skin type and indication. Patient charts and standardized photography were used to analyze clinical indication with efficacy, adverse effects, and skin types.

We found that the best results were achieved with scars, noting that the average improvement in his patients with acne and nonacne scars was about 80%. The next best results were seen with resurfacing on and off the face, with improvement ranging from 60% to 80%. The results were best in patients with Glogau photoaging II-III. The most variable results were seen in patients undergoing treatment for melasma and deep rhytids; these patients had 20%-40% improvement.

The most common short-term adverse events in this study were transient edema and erythema, which occurred in all patients but resolved within 48 hours, and acne flares, which occurred in 26% of patients. The most common long-term side effect was postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, which was most common in those with type V skin, and which resolved in all patients, noting that there were no permanent side effects.

Treatments help acne scars

THE unhappy legacy of an acne outbreak can last a lifetime, with scarring undermining individuals' confidence and self-esteem. But new techniques emerging on the market are now giving a significantly better outcome for those with acne scarring. Not only does the new generation of techniques - such as fractional C02 lasering - produce better results for the patient, achieving these improved results means less discomfort and downtime as well.

Although it is important to point out that a perfect result is not possible, and that the depth and extent of the scarring will affect the quality of the final result, modern techniques have come a long way in terms of creating a satisfactory outcome for patients - one that enables them to face the world with renewed self-confidence. Despite the success of new procedures, prevention remains better than cure.

There's a tendency to see teenage acne as "normal", something the young person will grow out of. But acne is a disease that needs medical attention, and the sooner it's treated, the less chance there is of scarring. And those people who suffer from acne later in life should also seek prompt medical help. Even though 98% of us will experience acne to some degree, at some juncture in our lives, we don't have to put up with it.

Many factors can trigger an acne outbreak - stress, sleeplessness, pollution, a reaction to certain cosmetics - and this can cause embarrassment, especially in men who are the most reluctant to see a doctor. New treatments that are having a positive impact when applied to acne scars include: Dermaroller scar treatment therapy. This is suitable for all skin types and skin tones and works by producing thousands of microscopic needle columns in the dermis of the skin..

These stimulate the skin to regenerate and repair itself naturally and safely. This procedure is patient- friendly as it avoids ablation, heat, and pigmented skin safety concerns; Fractional CO2 laser treatments, such as Smartxide that creates "dot resurfacing". During treatment the laser creates thousands of microscopic pinpoint burns on the scars.

As only a percentage of the surface area is touched during each treatment, this technology combines the best of traditional ablative laser options but without the associated discomfort and downtime; Vavelta is a unique treatment involving the injection of human fibroblast cells - cells that synthesise collagen and maintain the structural integrity of connective tissue - into the area of the skin being treated.

Injections are performed with a fine needle. The nature of the cells injected means that there is no danger of the individual suffering immune rejection problems. The fibroblast lays down new collagen that will improve the appearance of the skin. All these treatments are an immense improvement on earlier options, but it is important to understand that they are medical procedures and should only be carried out by someone with the appropriate qualifications.

About 15% of our body weight is skin, and it is our largest organ; Skin is made up of two layers - the epidermis and the dermis. The epidermis is the top layer of the skin - the layer we see, while the lower layer or dermis is flexible and elastic and is made up of collagen and elastin; Acne is a disease of the sebaceous glands. These glands lie just beneath the surface of the skin.

They produce an oil called sebum, which keeps the skin moist; Acne develops when bacteria invade blocked pores and cause them to become inflamed. Those that develop deeper in the skin may form cysts or nodules; Scarring occurs when scar tissue replaces damaged cells due to inflammation. Acne occurs most commonly on the face, chest, shoulders, and back because those are the places that sebaceous cells occur; ontrary to popular belief acne outbreaks are not connected to a poor diet. While a healthy, balanced diet is good for overall health, snacking on sweet or oily food will not precipitate an acne attack; Another myth is that acne is caused by poor hygiene or dirty skin; Makeup can block pores. Choose makeup which is oil-free and look for the term "non-comedogenic" on the label. This means that the makeup is less likely to clog pores..

Surgical scars to improve

Fractional photothermolysis is a promising treatment for surgical scars, including those that have failed to fully respond to other treatments, a small study suggests. In 13 patients with various types and ages of surgical scars, fractional resurfacing using Reliant Technologies Inc.'s 1,550-nm, erbiumdoped fiber laser (Fraxel) resulted in greater than 75% improvement in nine patients and at least 51%-75% improvement in an additional two patients.

The remaining two patients achieved between 25% and 50% improvement. The patients were treated for scars resulting from Mohs surgery, excision, trauma, or plastic surgery, and most underwent a total of three treatments (range, two to eight). Treatments were administered at energy levels of 670 mJ, with final densities of 312-2,500 microthermal zones per square centimeter. Outcomes were based on physician assessment of photographs that were taken at baseline and at 2 weeks following final treatment.

All the characteristics that we looked at improved, including atrophy, hypertrophy, hyperpigmentation, and erythema. Traditional scar treatment involves use of the pulsed dye laser, but it appears that fractional resurfacing may provide better depth of penetration. Admittedly, many of the scars were new, and were possibly still undergoing remodeling, but even older scars showed similar improvement. Scars that had failed to respond fully to prior therapies also responded to the Fraxel laser. It appears that this laser can be used as monotherapy for treating scars, or as an adjunct to other treatments.

Acne scar treatment tips

Acne scar treatment tips

1. Using tretinoin speeds up the skin's remodeling process and helps heal post-inflammatory changes.
2. Surgical removal (or excision) of acne scars is especially effective for ice pick and boxcar scars.

3. Accutanea may be prescribed for severe cases.
4. Acne staining can be treated with exfoliating creams and facials.
5. Skin grafting may be necessary under certain conditions.
6. Lasers of various wavelength and intensity may be used to recontour scar tissue and reduce the redness of skin around healed acne lesions.
7. Hippocrates serum for treatment of acne scarring is a high potency resurfacing serum to retexturize your skin.
8.Cellex-C is yet another acne scar removal cream that is recommended by many.
9.Elicina cream is a natural day and night protein cream for all ages and skin colours.
10. Mederma is a type of acne scar removal cream. It is actually a gel based medication and has been very helpful in many situations.

Treat unsightly acne scars

As if the unsightly appearance of acne pimples is not enough for all too many people once the pimples disappear they are left with frequently equally unsightly scarring. The first thing to realize is that some conditions which look very much like scars are not in fact scars at all but are macules and other bumps which can occur following acne treatment. The redness which often accompanies macules and other bumps can last for up to a year but this is not permanent and these are not true scars.

True scars are produced by the healing process itself (often resulting from the creation of fibrous tissue) and represent a permanent change to your skin tissue. Permanent scarring often results from the action of your white blood cells as they attack the bacteria which causes acne and this 'battle' can produce permanent changes to the underlying cells of your skin.

Such damage is not however just limited to the cells below the skin surface and you can be left with such things as so-called icepick scars which are small pinholes formed in the surface of the skin. They are called icepick scars because they look as if the skin has been attacked with an icepick and they are often quite deep and thus unresponsive to such things as dermabrasion and laser resurfacing treatment.

Another common form of acne scarring are boxcar scars, which are similar to icepick scars but tend to be flatter on the bottom instead of narrowing to a point as icepick scars do. Boxcar scars are shallower than icepick scars and can be treatment using skin resurfacing techniques. Finally, keloid scars, which tend to extend beyond the site of the original pimple injury, result from an excess production of collagen and are usually seen as a firm shiny pink or red scar.

In all cases the best way to avoid acne scars is to prevent then from developing in the first place but, where this has not proved to be effective, then there are several standard treatments including dermabrasion. Dermabrasion is a form of treatment used to treat a wide range of different skin conditions, including mild (and sometimes moderate} acne scarring. After the application of a local anesthetic, a high speed brush is used to remove layers of skin. In many cases, once the skin heals naturally, acne scar disappear altogether and, where this is not the case, they are usually very much less evident.

A commonly alternative to dermabrasion today is microdermabrasion in which, instead of using a high speed brush, aluminum oxide crystals are moved rapidly across the surface of the skin using a form of vacuum hose. This is a little bit like a form of medical 'sand blasting' and is less invasive than dermabrasion and causes less trauma to the skin. Microdermabrasion can be effective in cases of very mild acne scarring but generally does not produce as good results as are seen with dermabrasion.

Laser Treatments. For some people laser treatment (often using CO2 lasers) is particularly effective and mild scarring can sometimes be removed with just a single treatment. When in the hands of a trained professional a laser can be used to remove scar tissue, or to alter the size of scars and change the contour of the skin to make scars very much less visible. This is however a fairly harsh treatment which effectively works by burning the surface of the skin and so it can produce redness which will persist for several weeks.

Surgery. Surgery, using a technique known as 'punching' is often used to remove some icepick scars. An icepick scar is cut out down to the subcutaneous fat layer and the resulting hole is then repaired either using sutures or a small skin graft. Scars can also be repaired using subcisions which involve lifting the scar tissue away from unscarred skin. This technique can be effective but at the moment results using this technique have been somewhat mixed.

Drug Treatment. Keloid scars do not respond well to any of the treatments described so far and indeed they will usually stimulate the formation of more keloids and make matters worse. In this case therefore it is common to either apply a topical retinoid cream or to inject steroid-type drugs directly into the skin around the site of the scar. Unfortunately, keloid scars are difficult to treat and results vary widely from one individual to the next.

Perhaps the most important advice which anybody can be given when it comes to treating acne scars is that you should start by getting a proper diagnosis from a professional dermatologist. Your dermatologist will not only be able to advise you about the treatments available for your particular type of scarring, but will also be able to advise you about both the benefits and risks of each type of treatment.

Treatment of acne scarring

Despite the advent of isotretinoin more than 20 years ago, many patients still present with acne scarring. Because of recent technologic advances and the development of creative techniques by today's cosmetic surgeons, there has never been more hope or options for these patients. This article is designed to inform primary care clinicians about the advances that have been made in the treatment of acne scarring, so that they can better advice patients and provide appropriate referrals. It will begin by reviewing the types of acne scarring patients may have and highlighting important considerations, such as the patient's skin type.

The article will then summarize the different procedures that can be offered to patients: dermabrasion; microdermabrasion; laser resurfacing; chemical peeling; subcision; soft tissue augmentation; suture-assisted resurfacing; and punch elevation, punch excision, and punch grafting. These techniques require advanced dermatologic surgical skill and full knowledge of their risks and benefits, of which types of acne scars respond best to which modality, and of how different skin types may respond.

Acne is the most common cause of facial scar in the world.1 Patients with acne scars are often frustrated by their attempts to mask their appearance. Makeup may collect around the rim of widened "saucerlike" indentations and actually make the scars more noticeable. The technique of scar correction will be dictated by the type(s) of scarring present and the patient profile.

The number of scars is also important. For example, a few atrophic scars may be treated with a local injectable filler substance, whereas a large area of scarring may require a more invasive resurfacing procedure. Additional considerations include the patient's budget, expectations, and Fitzpatrick skin type. Patients with Fitzpatrick skin types IV, V, and VI (typically, Asians, Hispanics, and blacks, respectively) may not be good candidates for certain resurfacing procedures, given the risk of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.

It cannot be overstated that the patient and clinician must have realistic expectations when considering scar correction techniques. Because of acne scarring, a patient may have been suffering for many years and may often feel tormented, self-conscious, or depressed, or may even be more seriously disturbed. These powerful emotions can result in low self-esteem and unrealistic hopes for the procedure. Any corrective procedure helps acne scarring, but it does not give the patient perfectly smooth skin.

Scar removal techniques

There are several types of scars, and the most common of which are keloids, hypertrophic scars, contractures, and facial scars. Keloid scars are tissues that grow or rise beyond the wound or incision. These itchy tissues develop after wound healing takes place, when the body produces collagen.

Hypertrophic scars are like keloids that also take in a raised appearance. Sometimes, differentiating one from the other is difficult. The untrained eye may refer to hypertrophic scars as keloids. A thing to remember is that hypertrophic scars do not go beyond the boundary of the wound; instead, they limit themselves on the wound area only.

Meanwhile, contractures are scars that usually develop when there is loss of a large area of the skin, as what happens in burns, and facial scars are scars that develop on the face. The sad thing is, scars are permanent. Certain surgical and non-surgical procedures, as well as natural remedies, may lessen the severity of the scar, but at present, there is no technological method that is so advanced to enable the complete removal of scars.

Ideally, a scar should be treated as soon as it develops as it increases its chance of responding well to the treatment of choice. There are a variety of treatment options for the different types of scars. For example, keloids and hypertrophic scars respond well to steroid injections. If you are having contractures, though, you will need a procedure called Z-plasty or skin grafting. In Z-plasty, the scar is relocated to the area where it can blend well with the color of the skin. In skin grafting, skin from the injured part of the body is removed to cover the area. You can also go for laser surgery and resurfacing, however, its effectiveness has not yet been established.

If you'd rather opt for something that is non-invasive, there are some natural remedies to flatten the scar, lighten it or disguise it so it becomes less noticeable. For instance, mix sandalwood paste with black gray paste and rub it on your affected area, or use ice cubs to rub your skin with. Also, mixing cucumber with lemon juice, as well as the vitamins C and E, fish oil, aloe vera gel, cod liver oil and coco butter are great alternatives to the surgical scar removal procedures.

Scars Home Remedies with Vitamin E in any form is and ideal solution for any skin related complexities. Whether it is as vitamin E capsules or plain and simple vitamin E oil, it is very effective in the treatment of scars on the skin. Smear a bit of vitamin E oil on the affected area everyday and get astonished by the results within a few days. Having a vitamin E capsule too would help in faster marginalisation of the scar.

Natural Treatments for Scars with Tea Leaves are also very effective in the treatment of scars. The alkaloids present in the tea leaves help heal the scars faster. Soak a handful of tea leaves and then wrap them in a bag and keep the same pressed over the affected area for sometime regularly. It is advisable to try these natural home remedies first before going for invasive procedures. They are less risky because natural methods are being employed, and they are definitely less expensive, too.

Scar treatment procedures

No scar can be completely removed. They will always leave behind a trace, but a number of procedures can improve their appearance.

Surgery
Surgery will never completely remove a scar but can be used to alter its location or shape to make it less noticeable. Surgery is at times necessary to remove a scar on skin near a joint where it restricts movement, but it will leave another scar.

Laser surgery and resurfacing
The use of laser on scars is still on an experimental phase, as the safety or effectiveness has not yet been proven.

Steroid injection
A course of steroid injections into the scar may help flatten and soften the appearance of keloid or hypertrophic scars.


Z-Plasty
Z-plasty is a surgical technique used to relocate a scar so that it more closely matches to the natural creases of the skin, where it will be less noticeable. In this procedure, the old scar is removed and new incisions are made on each side, creating small triangular flaps of skin.

Skin grafting
Grafting involves the transfer of skin from a healthy part of the body to cover the injured area. All grafts leave some scarring at the donor and recipient sites. Make sure that your expectations from any surgery are realistic. You cannot expect that old scars will completely disappear; however, they will always turn flatter, paler and softer.

Home Remedies for Scars
* A mixture of sandalwood paste and black gram paste helps reduce the intensity of scars if started early.
* Rubbing your skin with ice cubes helps to tighten the skin.
* You can use cucumber and lemon juice on your scars.
* Vitamin E oil when applied on the scarred skin may do wonders for your skin.
* To prevent deepening of the scars, apply aloe vera gel, cod liver oil or vitamin E oil.
* Applying cocoa butter is also a good remedy in getting rid of the scars. This is also effective Home Remedy for Scars