
The American Academy of Dermatology contends that the complete removal of scar tissue is all but impossible to realize, however, there are some things that can be done to minimize the appearance of scar tissue. The conditions that make scarring more acute and thus difficult to treat scar tissue are the higher levels of melanin and even some ethnic groups have a susceptibility toward more pronounced scar tissue as a result of acne.
Even in 2004, the advancement of science and medicine could produce no form of drug in the prevention of or even the treatment of scar tissue. There are a variety of ways that are utilized in the effort to remove acne and its related scar tissue listed below.
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One of the most famous and nefarious of them is the process known as the Chemical Peel. In a controlled manner the epidermis is destroyed which results in the removal of the surface skin area that contains the scar tissue.
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Through the use of filler agents such as Artefill or applications of Collagen, those scars that are characterised by a kind of sunken appearance can be raised to the extent that it is level with the surface skin tissue although it may have adverse affects such as disfigurement and/or even the possibility of triggering a reaction predicated on allergies.
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Closely related to the Chemical peel but a more radicalized approach to scar tissue and acne removal is the process called Dermabrasion or the literal sanding down of the skin. Not for the faint of heart, it results in a painful recovery process of tissue overgrowing an area that has been literally sanded down of the affected scar tissue.
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Through the use of Laser treatment, the removal of scar tissue and the gradual reduction and elimination of acne has proven to be one of the most effective and patient friendly means of dealing with acne and its related scar tissue. Multiple treatments are needed to treat and reduce the acne and scar and its cost is considerable but it is still one of the most popular treatments to date.
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In the treatment of scar tissue, the concept of healing the scar tissue with moisture has led to the creation of several kinds of Over the Counter Topical Remedies ointments and skin creams such as petroleum based salves, mineral oil and such dressings as semiocclusives that contain mineral oil.
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Radiotherapy is one of the suggested alternatives for the treatment of the more serious forms of scarring such as hypertrophic and keloid scarring. Despite substantive clinical evidence to verify the effectiveness and long term effects of this treatment, it is only utilized in the more serious cases with a careful eye to what is perceived to be side effects of long lasting duration.
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Another form of ointment treatment of scar tissue is Semiocclusive Ointments and Pressure Dressing. This is a procedure that utilizes dimethicone or petroleum jelly semiocclusive ointments in an effort to accelerate the healing process and diminish the scar tissue. Although more study is needed to verify the effectiveness is needed, it is used but the evidence to support it thus far is minimal.
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In the treatment of hypetrophic or burn scar tissue, Pressure Dressings are used to apply pressure to the skin and blood vessels thereby resulting in the flattening of scar tissue and making them softer. Although the effectiveness toward the treatment is not widely recognized to be as effective it has been effective in the treatment of ear keloids.
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Steroids are administered under the supervision of physicians are used to treat scar tissue such as hpertrophic, of keloid scars. Low doses repeated over the course of four to six weeks are administered to the affected area but the risks associated with this procedure are that it thins the tissue in scar areas owing to operations to repair tendons that were ruptured. It should also be noted that the effectiveness of topical steroids doesn’t exist.
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A process known as Scar Revision is utilized by which the scar tissue is actually cut out from the area. The resulting open wound is then closed and left to heal through natural processes. Deeper cuts to remove tissue warrant a multi layered closing process otherwise the result of healing would result in scar tissue that is deeply set or give a dented appearance. Done on its own and without the additional process of silicone gel sheetings or pressotherapy may result in the resurgence of scaring in about 45% of the cases. This process is still inconclusive and there is a study underway to assess its merits and long term effects, both positive and negative.
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Vitamin treatment for scar tissue doesn’t come highly recommended and in fact may provide some rather nasty side effects that you hadn’t anticipated. For example, Vitamin E and a similar product called Mederma ( an onion extract) have yeilded no results at all and in fact, in33 % of those who have used Vitamin E can experienced the contact of dermatitis and in some of those situations, the scar tissue and its appearance was negatively exacerbated. Vitamin C, alternatively, is a fairly good vitamin to utilize as it may actually reduce the dark coloration found in some scar tissue.