Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a procedure that removes and exfoliates the skin. It removes the top layer of dead skin to reveal the new skin underneath acne scars and diminish their appearance. According to aesthetician Maria Barry at Union Square Laser Dermatology, microdermabrasion machines can buff and polish the skin using a stream of fine crystals or a diamond tip. The difference between dermabrasion and microdermabrasion is that microdermabrasion is a gentler process that smooths and polishes the skin. Dermabrasion tends to hit deeper layers than the micro therapy. After a Dermabrasion treatment, the skin tends to be raw, pink, and very tender. New skin cells tend to develop within 5-8 days. Microdermabrasion is best for:
- Sun damage
- Acne scarring
- Large pores
- Blackheads
To make the most out of your microdermabrasion treatments, most people have between 5-12 treatments. These treatments are usually two to three weeks apart. Each treatment should take less than an hour. The average cost was $143 according to 2014 statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Chemical Peels
Chemical Peels usually entail the spreading of a chemical solution to one’s face or other area of treatment. The solution then makes the skin “blister”, and able to peel off. The new layer of skin that is exposed tends to be smoother and free of wrinkles that were seen before. A chemical peel costs about $632, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Typically those with lighter and fairer skin achieve the best results with chemical peel procedures. However, those with darker skin have a higher risk of ending up with unevenly toned skin after the peel.
Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing uses a very precise laser to target a specific layer of your skin. The goal of the procedure is to eliminate the uneven skin once the skin has returned to normal. This is a more invasive and expensive procedure that can cost well over $2,000 and requires some downtime. There are two primary types of treatments: ablative and non-ablative. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery gives a good description of the options: “Ablative lasers use rapid pulses of high-intensity light to remove the damaged upper layers of your skin, thereby smoothing and tightening the skin. Non-ablative lasers are non-wounding and less invasive; they act by stimulating collagen growth and tightening the underlying skin.” A dermatologist or plastic surgeon can evaluate your scars and determine which procedure is most suitable. It is always a safe bet to choose a doctor that has been “board certified” by their industry – there are some handy tools to help you find a plastic surgeon or find a dermatologist in your area.
Home Remedies for Acne Scars
Today, there are more at-home treatments for acne scars available than ever before. Luckily, in a wide range of price points. Because these DIY products typically have a lower strength of active ingredients than their professional-level counterparts, their results aren't as dramatic. Most peels designed for home use are safe when used properly, but sensitive skin may have a negative reaction, so it's always wise to do a patch-test on a small area of skin before applying the peel to your whole face. As always, be sure to check with your dermatologist before using home treatments, including peels and microdermabrasion kits, to make sure that whatever you choose is reliable and safe for you, given your medical history and other treatments you are using. Some of today's top DIY products to fade acne scars include:- Exfoliating Peels-these liquid treatments can contain chemical exfoliators such as alpha hydroxy acids, retinol, glycolic acid and salicylic acid or natural exfoliating enzymes, such as papaya. These products exfoliate the top layer of your skin to reveal the fresh skin underneath acne scars so they fade faster.
- Microdermabrasion Kits- the less-powerful, DIY version of the professional version explained above is available in several different forms, including crystal-like scrubs and tools that use special rotating brushes or pads to polish the skin and encourage cell turnover.
- Vitamin C Serums and Brightening Creams- these products use high amounts of Vitamin C as an acne scar remedy for hyperpigmentation that gradually restores an even skin tone without harsh chemicals.
- Micro-needling-originally and in-office treatment now available for home use, micro-needle rollers are said to break down scar tissue and smooth out acne scars by jump-starting the production of new collagen and elastin on scarred skin.
So now you know a few acne scar treatment options to investigate, but what can you do while you're deciding on which one to try? If you are like me, you are probably searching for a solution that makes your acne scars disappear fast, but not over weeks or months. The in-office procedures mentioned above all entail scheduling appointments, downtime, and potentially some pain, and the acne scar home remedies require patience while you wait for results. but there is an instant, temporary solution to cover your acne scars: Dermaflage.
Hide While You Heal with Dermaflage
Most of us with acne scars have tried every scar concealer under the sun, but no matter how well they hide discoloration, they simply can't hide the shadows caused by the uneven skin of a recessed scar. Dermaflage is a topical filler that bridges the gap between aesthetic procedures and traditional cosmetics, which visually "lifts" indented areas for a smooth, even surface. Invented by a combination of techniques from Hollywood special effects pros and plastic surgeons, Dermaflage uses a medical grade silicone to simulate real skin. It can temporarily fill and conceal recessed scars, including acne scars, pockmarks, ice pick scars, boxcar scars and rolling scars. It makes a great partner to any in -office procedures or DIY home remedies for acne scars when you need instant camouflage that's super long-lasting and virtually undetectable. Here is the link to check out the Dermaflage Concealer Kit This video shows a make up artist using Dermaflage to cover boxcar scars: https://youtu.be/C7WFJiSg3jw?list=PLf4BLzcKKdueGknPsDjPB0fV9CNhmAYbJ Scroll down for amazing before and after photos, showcasing the customers who use Dermaflage to cover acne scars:
Icepick acne scar concealed using Dermaflage
