Ice Pick Scars

If acne scars are bad, then, ice pick scars are worse. In fact, these scars are one of the worst kinds of acne scars that are the result of damage caused to the skin due to severe acne. The inflammation in the acne-affected areas get permanently damaged and leave behind disdainful, deep indentations on the skin.

They are characterized by crater-like pits appearing on the face, neck, arms, and shoulders. Their steep-edge shape, which on close examination appear like wounds cause by an ice pick is what gives it the name: ice pick scar. These scars may range from shallow to deep. They may also vary in texture from hard to soft, wherein the soft scars can be stretched out, while the hard one cannot.

People with these scars often end up avoiding social gatherings and gradually lose out on their social life. Ice pick scars do not fade with time and make even the most confident of people conscious of their appearance. There is very little one can do to attenuate them naturally, however, there are certain techniques developed for their removal which are as follows:

The outer layer of the skin is called the epidermis and the underlying layer is called the dermis, which is made up of collagen. The dermis acts like the support structure of the skin. Thus, in this treatment, collagen injections are used to inject collagen into the craters formed by the scars.

Collagen injections replenish the skin's natural collagen, thereby giving it a plumper, softer, and smoother appearance. However, this is not one of the best treatment options, as it's only a short-term solution.

It only hides the scars for 3 - 6 months, after which the same treatment has to be carried out once again. Moreover, this technique is not suitable for people with compromised immune systems.

Laser treatment is by far the most effective treatment option available. It involves dissolution of the scarred tissue, which on healing bears semblance to regular surrounding skin. This treatment has attenuated scars of several people and has proven to be quite effective.

There are different types of lasers used for this treatment, however, the type of laser chosen depends on the type of scar. One may even experience redness for a few months, however, the advantage of this treatment is that only one treatment is required for permanent results.

This treatment method is mostly meant for people with deep ice pick scars. This method involves the surgical correction of the deep scars caused by the severe acne. Punch excision method involves the use of a sharp tool, resembling a cookie cutter which ranges in size from 1.5 mm to 3.5 mm. The size of this tool actually depends on the size of the scar.

The patient is given local anesthesia and the scar is slowly excised with the tool. The skin edges are sutured together and this new scar gradually fades away, thereby getting rid of the scars. If the scar is still visible, skin regenerating creams can be applied, which would help further fade the scar.

Besides the above mentioned treatments, there are also other treatments like dermabrasion, chemical peels, and subcision, which help get rid of the ice pick scars. However, before getting the treatment done, you need to consult the dermatologist regarding which type of treatment is suitable for your scar and skin. Depending on the severity and depth of your scars, the dermatologist will recommend the most appropriate treatment meant for you.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.