Ablative Resurfacing
Ablative resurfacing entails removal of the epidermis and partial thickness dermis, and is considered by most as the gold standard for pitted scars and some box-car scars. While ablative resurfacing is most effective if it is deep, thereby removing as much as possible of the depressed scar, it cannot be so deep as to destroy the base of the hair follicles; such destruction could impede skin regrowth, and induce scar formation at the treated site. Carbon dioxide resurfacing is the most effective but also most operator-dependent method for deep ablative resurfacing.[2] Dermabrasion is possibly even more effective, but this is another procedure that is very technique dependent. Deep phenol (Baker-Gordon) peels, also highly effective, have fallen out of favor because of the associated cardiac risk and the frequency of porcelain-white postinflammatory hypopigmentation. Definitive ablative resurfacing results in 2 weeks of patient downtime, during which period re-epithelialization occurs.[3] More superficial resurfacing with the Er:YAG laser or plasma can provide recovery within 1 week, but deeper acne scars may be less improved.
Skin Therapy Letter. 2006;11(9):7-9. © 2006 SkinCareGuide.com
Cite this: Treatment of Acne Scarring - Medscape - Nov 01, 2006.
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