Some types of acne scars cannot be comprehensively cured using conventional acne treatment methods. This is commonly observed in acne scars with deep pits, such as boxcar scars. These acne scars are characterized by a deep abase, wherein the surrounding scar tissue hardens into thick layers that don’t respond to topical ointments. Boxcar scars are quite similar to scars that develop after a severe attack of chicken pox. Treating such scars through conventional plastic surgery can be very expensive. An equally effective and very undemanding form of treatment is the Punch Elevation method.
Understanding Punch Elevation Acne Scar Removal
Punch Elevation can be understood as a microsurgical method that is performed as a part of outpatient procedures. The attending cosmetic surgeon uses a cutting device that is called a punch tool. The punch tool is a bit different from conventional tools used in plastic surgery to cut through tissues. This is because it can remove small traces of tissues without stretching or impacting the surrounding skin in any way.
Using the punch tool, the specialist starts pinching the scar tissue base. The action of the punch tool is parallel to pouting or pinching-off the scar tissue in a very controlled manner to ensure that the underling skin is least affected. When the scar tissue base is sufficiently punched, the base of the acne scar is parallel to its outline or the outer walls surrounding the scar, i.e. the scar base is elevated. This elevation affect makes the scar appear deeper to a much lesser extent.
The attending specialist proceeds by suturing the surrounding tissue to seal-off the scar site. The specialist sutures the scar site using the conventional style of laying tissue stitches or by using skin glue to further camouflage the sutures. In either scenario, tiny bits of the surrounding skin are used to establish the sutures. This ensures that the scar site is overlaid by new skin, which in turn allows the healing process of the skin to initiate.
Use of Skin Grafting in Punch Elevation Acne Scar Removal
Most contemporary punch elevation treatments are completed with a skin graft. This is regarded as a progressive option for covering the minimally-punched acne scars. Here, small skin flaps are grafted on top of the scar site. The grafted skin is taken from the patient’s body that ensures negligible scope for any contradictions. Further, the grafted skin has more healthy skin cells, capable of faster healing.
The biggest advantage of Punch Elevation is that it doesn’t require a significant recovery period since the procedure is conducted on the skin’s outer, superficial layers. Hence, there is no need for taking medications to treat any internal wounding. Further, the texture of the scar site is significantly improved since the sutured or skin-grafted site comprehensively covers the scar site.
Application of Punch Elevation Acne Scar Removal
Please understand the overall effectiveness of this procedure depends upon the depth of the scar and the availability of a minimal amount of healthy skin to establish the sutures/graft. It is advised that anybody contemplating this treatment should seek proper pre-treatment counseling to gain a precise approximation regarding the probable degree of improvement.
