Hyaluronic acid is a substance that is produced naturally by the body and helps tissues retain water and stay hydrated. Dermatologists use hyaluronic acid as a filler for wrinkles and fine lines. In recent years, hyaluronic acid has proven to be safe and effective in treating pitted acne scars, such as ice pick scars.
Successful medical procedures used for treating ice pick scars include the chemical reconstruction of skin scars (CROSS) using high concentrations of trichloroacetic acid. Here, the chemical is placed on each ice pick acne scar using a toothpick.
These injuries usually heal within two days and new collagen is formed inside of the scar. Collagen is a protein that help gives our skin strength and elasticity.
If you are looking for an affordable and save concealment solution, Dermaflage is a topical filler that can conceal ice pick scars.
Treatment options for Ice Pick scars include punch excision and this can be an option with a broad price range, as you might pay between $500 and $1000 per individual scar.
Thereafter, the wound is closed by sutures which should be removed after approximately 6 days when the wound has closed. After 4-6 weeks, a fractional laser can be used to improve the overall skin texture and the surgical scar.
So, does microneedling help with ice pick scars? In general, the answer is yes – microneedling may be an effective treatment for ice pick scars. In fact, in a study published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology, microneedling was found to be more effective than pulsed laser therapy for the treatment of ice pick scars.
For acne scarring, the most commonly recommended chemical peeling agent is glycolic acid. This has been proven to provide optimal results when used to treat atrophic acne scarring, reducing the differences in profile between the scarred area and the surrounding tissue.
Retinol: Your best bet, according to Dr. Maiman, is to choose active ingredients known to stimulate collagen production, like retinol, to reverse the collagen deficiency that creates the appearance of those scars.
Deeper scars like an ice pick and boxcar scars, for example, cannot be treated with microdermabrasion, as they penetrate below the epidermis and cannot be reached with this surface-level procedure.
The pitted scars are particularly troublesome. Not only can they require a variety of treatments, but they can also take quite a while to fade. And, in some cases, they'll never disappear completely.
While existing scars cannot be waved away via magic wand, you can speed up the fading process by regularly applying certain topical creams, lotions, and gels to them. Some common ingredients in these scar treatments include aloe vera, cocoa butter, Vitamin E, honey, and other hydrating materials.
“Chemical peels, micro-needling radiofrequency and intradermal radiofrequency, fractional minimally ablative CO2 laser and dermal fillers are some of the recommended treatments for long-term reduction of acne scars,” she adds.
Salicylic acid
It's considered to be one of the best treatments for acne scars. You can add products with salicylic acid into your daily routine, or your skin care specialist may use it for less frequent chemical peels. It might take a few weeks to see a difference when using salicylic acid.
Chemical peels generally work best on superficial imperfections, while microneedling penetrates deeper to improve more troublesome issues. Many people with acne scars find a combination of microneedling and chemical peels deliver the best results.
Dermatologists typically recommend punch grafting for deeper ice pick scars. The procedure involves removing the skin from the scar and replacing it with a skin graft. The dermatologist takes this skin from another part of the person's body, such from behind the ear.
Retinol is a well-known ingredient in pro-aging creams, gels, and serums. What many people don't know is that it can also be used to treat acne and acne-scarred skin. It works on both the surface and middle layers of the skin to unclog pores, smooth scars, and improve tone and texture.
Bio-Oil helps to improve the appearance of new or old scars; whether from surgery, accidents, burns, insect bites, scratches or conditions such as acne or chickenpox. Although younger scars will have a greater chance of improvement, studies have shown that older scars also benefit from regular use of Bio-Oil.
In general, most acne scars will not go away by themselves or even with at-home treatments with chemical exfoliants like lactic or glycolic acid. For true acne scar removal, you will need acne scars treatments to achieve even-toned skin with a smooth texture.
There are many options to treat deeper scars depending on your particular case. These include skin grafts, excision, dermabrasion, or laser surgery. In a skin graft, the surgeon uses skin from another area of your body. This is often used with people who've had burns.