Costs and Options to Think About
Beyond the beauty and confidence that good skin gives to us, it also does a great job of being our first line of defense against any foreign agents and irritants that we encounter. We may undergo some unavoidable skin conditions like acne but we can just sometimes let our skin go through this phase ensuring to get past it gently and carefully.
Beyond the beauty and confidence that good skin gives to us, it also does a great job of being our first line of defense against any foreign agents and irritants that we encounter. We may undergo some unavoidable skin conditions like acne but we can just sometimes let our skin go through this phase ensuring to get past it gently and carefully.
Acne breakout may not be a serious skin problem but some people tend to have a severe version of it which leaves behind acne scars. Depending on the type of acne scar you have, it may require certain treatments like resurfacing laser treatments, chemical peels, and dermal fillers to name a few. If you want to learn about these and the cost of acne scar treatment, this article is what you need.
In this article:
Acne Scars Classifications
Anyone who does not have an idea about acne and acne scars, they may assume that acne scars are all the same and that they require the same treatment. The truth is, even these tiny bumps and marks have their own story, and they actually vary. Let’s learn more below.
Categories of Acne Scars:
Before digging into the types of acne scars, it’s also important to know that they are categorized into two categories, depending on the root causes of the scar: either by a loss of tissue, or an excess of tissue. Specifically, they are called:
- Depressed Acne Scars (atrophic)
This happens when there is insufficiency in collagen production that results in small, cave-like depressions in the skin as it heals. - Raised (or hypertrophic) Acne Scars
A raised acne scar will form if the body creates too much collagen while healing.
Types of Acne Scars:
Belonging to these two categories, the three different types of acne scars arise:
Photo credit: odylique.com
- Icepick Scars
Considered a kind of depressed acne scar, ice pick acne scars are long, thin, needle-like marks and are commonly regarded as one of the most difficult acne scars to treat. They resemble the shape of an ice pick that pierced the skin. This type of acne scar occurs more readily on the forehead. - Boxcar Scars
These are a type of atrophic acne scars that look like chicken pox scarring, with sunken-in indentation marks that are typically broad and rounded. They have defined edges that can be shallow or deep and can also cause discoloration to the skin area. - Rolling Scars
As the name implies, these types of scars roll across the skin in waves but are indented scars. They belong to the depressed scar category and have a sloped edge which is where they get their name from. According to a dermatologist Dr. Michelle Green, MD, this scar type can also be difficult to treat and generally a combination of treatments is used for this.
Acne Scar Treatment Options
The 21st century is said to be the century of revolutionized technology and with it is how advanced skin treatments we have now. Below are some of the acne scar removal procedures you might want to comprehend:
- Resurfacing Laser Treatments
Best for rolling acne scars because they can be hard to treat. - Chemical Peels
Uses chemicals to peel off the outer layer of the scarred skin. - Dermabrasion
The priciest among all the treatments. Dermabrasion is an intense procedure that is used in case of severe scarring. - Micro-Needling
Depressed acne scars can be best treated with this option. - Dermal Fillers
This treatment type is appropriate for boxcar acne scars. - LED Treatments
This treatment uses varying wavelengths of light to treat scars.
Know more about these treatments on this article: Acne Scar Laser Treatment Costs
Cost of Acne Scar Treatment
Any cosmetic improvements and treatments generally cost high and health insurance does not typically cover them. There might be prices you can search online, but actual prices may vary depending on a few factors such as below:
- the number of scars you’re treating
- the size of the area being targeted for treatment
- the number of treatments you’ll need
- the experience level of your provider
According to the Dermatology and Hair Restoration Specialists from santamonica.com, you may go anywhere from $200 to $3,600 with acne scar removal treatments, depending on some factors, like the ones mentioned above. Microneedling for example can cost you from $500 -$ 1000 as a treatment for ice pick acne scars while you may expect $800 to $1,200 for dermal filler treatment. Laser resurfacing treatments, on the other hand, cost higher, which is discussed in my next article entitled: Acne Scar Laser Treatment Costs
Other acne scar removal treatment ranges from prices below:
- Chemical peels (like alpha-hydroxy acids) can cost about $400.
- Surgery to help remove or fill acne scars costs $200 or more.
- Microdermabrasion costs about $150.
- Retinoid creams (like tretinoin) can be priced as low as $10.
(from : Caren Weiner, MSIS and Maria Robinson, MD, MBA)
Conclusion – Friendly Reminders
Still, prevention is better than cure. While acne breakouts can be uncontrollable, the way you manage and treat them are all up to you. With proper hygiene, skincare routine and products, you can somehow prevent acne from scarring thus, refraining from doing clinical treatments such as lasers.
If they already are there though, just keep in mind that before undergoing any acne treatment, make sure that everything is ready from the resources, products and yourself most of all. Learn more tips and things to consider before undergoing laser treatments here.