Current therapeutic approach to acne scars

The occurrence and incidence of acne scarring is different. Lasting for years, acne can cause both physical and psychological scarring. Scarring frequently results from severe inflammatory nodulocystic acne but may also result from more superficial inflamed lesions or from self-manipulation. There are two general types of acne scars: hypertrophic (keloid) scars, and atrophic (icepick, rolling and boxcar) scars. The management of acne scarring includes various types of resurfacing (chemical peels, lasers, lights, cryotherapy), use of dermal fillers, and surgical methods such as dermabrasion, subcision or punch excision. Individual scar characteristics, including color, texture and morphology, determine the treatment choice. Combining treatment methods may provide additional improvement compared with one method alone. It should be noted that none of the currently available treatments can achieve complete resolution of the scar. The best method of preventing or limiting scarring is to treat acne early enough to minimize the extent and duration of inflammation.