Treatment of acne pitting and scarring.

The treatment of acne pitting and scarring by classic dermabrasion is, at best, somewhat disappointing; at worst, it is unsuccessful--and it is frequently accompanied by undesirable sequelae. This clinical study describes several techniques and combinations of methods for the treatment of chronic acne and acne scars and pits. When the scars are limited to a small discrete area, an elliptical wedge excision of the involved skin is done. When small multiple discrete scars are present, scattered over the cheek or chin and with abnormal pigmentation, individual resection of each scar is advised, combined with a chemical peel. In most cases, however, dermaplaning, combined with a peripheral chemical peel, will give the greatest improvement. In preoperative discussions on morbidity and complications, the surgeon is advised to promise the patient little in the way of improvement as that, unfortunately, is what these procedures offer most of the time.