Acne - Prevention And Treatment For Acne Scars

Prevention And Treatment For Acne Scars

While it may sound elementary, the first place to start with acne scar treatment is prevention.

Most people cannot predict when they will have an acne outbreak or how severe that outbreak will be. If you suffer from acne outbreaks, having a good preventive treatment regiment is a proactive way to keep acne minimized, reducing the risk of scarring in the first place. It is as washing your hands to help prevent spreading germs.

Among all of the factors that can contribute to acne outbreaks, heredity is part of the mix. Additionally, heredity plays a factor in the amount of scarring you will receive from acne, or in other words, your ability to heal.

Almost all acne sufferers will develop some form of scarring, from mild to severe. The earlier in life that acne treatment is initiated, the more likely scarring will be minimized.

Acne scarring is the end result of the body's healing process. The decrease of elastic fibers in the skin combined with thickened collagen groups that grow excessively contribute to scar tissue.

There are two types of scar:

Hypertropic Scars are the thick and discolored scars that show above the normal surface of the skin.

Keloid scars are discolored scars at the skin level or below and grow outward from the initial injury similar to a stretch mark.

There are several treatment options available to help reduce or eliminate the visible signs of scarring from acne.

Topical Solutions ? Several topical solutions are available. These ointments are applied to the damaged area and are designed to hydrate the skin and remove dead skin cells, which allows for skin cell rejuvenation and replenishment, reducing or eliminating the appearance of scars.

Silicone Sheets ? Modern research has shown that silicone is an effective treatment in scar removal. While the science of how it works is not completely understood, several companies manufacture silicone sheets and silicone based treatments that are designed to minimize or eliminate the appearance of acne scars.

Microdermabrasion ? In microdermabrasion, a dermatologist uses a hand held buffing wheel and a special abrasive cream to remove the surface layer of the skin. When the new skin grows in, it is healthier and has more elasticity than the old skin, reducing or eliminating the visible signs of scarring.

Chemical Peels ? A chemical peel uses a chemical solution of Phenol, Trichloroacetic Acid, and Alphahydroxy acids to remove the outer layers of damaged skin. Similar to microdermabraision and laser resurfacing, new skin cells replace the removed damaged cells, reducing or eliminating the visible signs of scarring.

Laser Resurfacing ? Performed by a qualified cosmetic surgeon, a concentrated laser beam is targeted on the treatment area. As the laser energy penetrates the skin, it vaporizes the water and the surface layer of skin, leaving the deeper layers untouched. Laser resurfacing also helps to restore the elasticity of the skin by shortening the collagen fibers that are contained in the skin layers, reducing or eliminating the visible signs of scarring.

Always be sure to consult a dermatologist before undergoing and treatment for scarring. However, all of these treatments have been proven to be effective, so once you find the right one, it is just a matter of time before the scarring is reduced or eliminated!

BIO:
Greg Podsakoff is a former acne sufferer, and currently provides information on treating acne, pimples, and zits, via an objective informational skincare website, http://www.acne-treatments-guide.com

| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |

Acne Program ? An Introduction
Acne is the most common skin disorder. Over 10% of Americans age 25 ? 44 have acne. Over 85% Americans age 12 ? 25 will have acne at one time or the other.If ignored, acne can become infected, creat...(related: Acne)

Acne Program ? Step 6 Juices You Should Be Drinking
Drinking fruit juices help to bring vitamins and minerals quickly into your blood where they can supply what is necessary for acne free skin. Minerals quickly neutralize skin acids and bring the skin pH back to normal ? slightly acidic.Fresh juices have antibacterial action and contain digestive enzymes that help you digest protein and fat.Because of the vitamins, minerals, digestive enzymes, pure water, and nutrients that juices have, they have the power to cleanse your body of toxic wastes.Here are some...(related: Acne)

The Wonders Of Green Tea- It Can Help With Acne Care
Green tea is the most consumed beverage in the world, second only to water. The craze for green tea exceeds taste, as this beverage-derived from the white-flowered plant, Camellia ...(related: Acne)

Herbal Therapy For Acne Treatment
Because prevention is the best way to protect your skin from the scarring associated with severe acne, many dermatologists recommend that controlling problematic acne through diet, regular cleansing procedures, and herbal remedies, is the most effective way to combat the tendencies of skin that is prone to acne and acne-related scarring.Treatments that accentuate the regulation of daily habits having to do with diet, physical exercise, mood control, and other activities, are known as holistic treatments. Holistic treatments often include herbal therapies.Herbalists recommend the following herbal remedies for acne and scarring:? Black currant seed oil taken in 500-milligram capsules three times a day for t...(related: Acne)

Over The Counter Acne Treatments ? Do They Work?
Over the counter, sometimes referred to as otc for short, products are starting to become an increasingly popular alternative to prescription medication in the treatment of acne.These products are readily available as you don't need a prescription from your doctor to buy them and for people with mild to moderate forms of acne the best over the counter treatments will be just as effective as the more expensive prescribed ones.Besides being cheaper,...(related: Acne)

Birth Control Pill For Acne
There are quite a few prescription medications used to combat acne, but one of the most frequent choices for women is the use of a birth control pill for acne. This approach can be used with teenagers as well as adult women, but if you're a guy, you are out of luck. Using the birth control pill for acne on a man is a recipe for disaster. The female hormones would wreak havoc on a man's system.For women though, the birth control pill for acne can be a minor miracle. And if your acne is severe enough to require use of the most dangerous acne drug, birth control is an absolute necessity. You will not be able to take the risky drug without also using the birth control pill for acne.Why does using the birth control pill for acne work?Teen girls and women often experience outbreaks of acne just before their me...(related: Acne)

Silver Bullet For Acne? - I Dont Think So!
I read a report recently discussing the success of the project to sequence the genome of the bacteria that is said to cause acne, Propionibacterium acnes, and how this may lead to new ways to treat Acne.It made me think how easily we can jump to conclusions, that may not be supported by the evidence, or by common sense. Don't get me wrong, I wholeheartedly support the research that the scientific community is doing in the field of Acne, and I am hopeful that it will lead to better treatments, or better understanding of what acne treatments are likely to work.The article started by saying "European scientists have seque...(related: Acne)

Herbal Acne Treatments That Work
In the United States alone, there are over 40 Million people who struggle with acne. Many of these people treat acne using chemicals such as antibiotics, prescription drugs, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid.However, there is a growing number of people who choose herbal acne treatments over traditional medications. Usually, herbal medications have far fewer side effects, and are not as dangerous as some of the prescription drugs.The problem however, is that the United States does very little to regulate the herbal supplement industry. Unlike traditional chemical medications, herbal medications are not required to be clinically proven to work, or even to be safe. An example of this lack of re...(related: Acne)

Why Drinking Enough Water Can Help Keep Acne Away
You probably don't know this yet but product wastes and toxic build up in your system is one of the main reasons why you have acne or why your skin breaks out.You see, your body has 4 channels of elimination...your bowels, kidneys, lungs, and your skin. Your bowels and kidneys are the primary channels that your body expels product wastes and toxics through.The only time that your body expels ...(related: Acne)

Acne Program ? Step 7 Fruits You Should Eat
Eating fruits that are red or orange in color will help improve you skin health and help to prevent acne. Here are the fruits you should be eating.* Apples ? eat 3 ? 4 apples a day while working to clearing your acne. Apples are good for skin health. Eat at least 2 a day. Eat organic apples because you can eat the skins and most pectin is in the skin, which helps with constipation. Apples contain ascorbic acid, bioflavonoids, fiber, pectin, quercetin, minerals, and vitam...(related: Acne)