Acne Vulgaris

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Other Treatment
Your doctor may suggest other types of therapies to treat acne or acne scars.

Other Treatment Choices
For acne scars, you may have:
Collagen injections and gelatin implants, to improve the look of acne scars.
Dermabrasion or dermaplaning, to remove scars.
Chemabrasion, a chemical peel that removes surface scars.
Microdermabrasion, a gentle skin buffing for mild acne scarring.
Laser resurfacing, to remove the top layer of skin.

Chemabrasion, dermabrasion or dermaplaning, and laser resurfacing are techniques that remove the top layers of skin. This promotes skin regrowth and collagen production. The results are better-looking skin with less noticeable scarring. At this time, laser resurfacing is the most popular technique.
What To Think About

Health professionals no longer use X-rays or ultraviolet light (from a sunlamp) to treat acne. These treatments may have more risks than benefits.

Last Updated: March 1, 2007
Author: Monica Rhodes
Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology

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