
	Meet our Advisory Board \| About us

	Home \| Acne Scar Removal \| Treatment \| Find a Doctor \| Choosing a Doctor \| FAQ’s

	Enter your Zip Code:

Search by City / State

What is Acne Scarring?

How can you remove Acne
Scars?

How does it differ from other
scars?

How can you prevent
scarring?

Can it get worse without
treatment?

What scar types are there?

Laser Acne Scar Treatment

	What does laser treatment cost?
	Does laser treatment hurt?
	What are the recovery times?

Fractional Acne Scar Treatment

Pre-Treatment Questions

American Academy of Dermatology

AAFPRS

American Society for Dermatologic Surgery

American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery

Punch Technique for Acne Scar Removal

Punch techniques are typically used for deep acne scarring like "ice pick" scars. The procedure involves the physical removal of the tissue containing the scar and either the suture or replacement of the remaining tissue. There are three main punch techniques used. These are:

Punch Excision

A punch excision utilizes a punch biopsy tool which may vary in width depending on the size of the treatment area, generally between 1.5 mm and 3.5 mm. Local anesthesia is applied to the area and the tool is used to remove the scar and its surrounding edges. The scar now removed, the skin is sutured together and heals. The scar produced from treatment typically fades after treatment.

Punch Excision with Skin Grafting

Punch excision may also be performed with the inclusion of a skin graft in the place of a suture. The scar will be removed with a punch biopsy tool and rather than suture the wound, the physician will fill it with a skin graft of the patient's own skin.

Punch Elevation

Punch elevation is used mainly on deeper boxcar scars. The concept is to remove the scar using the same excision technique where a biopsy tool removes the scar, but rather than suture or graft the wound, the scar tissue is then elevated and reattached. This diminishes the depth of the scar and minimizes the likelihood of discoloration from different skin being grafted in its place.

For other acne scar treatment techniques, visit: How can I remove Acne Scars?, Laser Acne Scar Treatment, & Choosing a Doctor for Acne Scarring

Locate an Acne Scars Specialist near you to answer questions about your
specific case:

Zip Code:

Last Modified: October 23, 2007

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Sebaceous Gland?

What is the Cool Touch Laser?

What is the Dermis?

What is the Fraxel Laser?

What is non-ablative laser?

What are Keloid Scars?

What is the VBeam™ Perfecta Laser?

What are Keratolytics?

What is the Smooth Beam Laser?

The information contained in the above article is purely for educational purposes and is not intended to provide any medical advice. Always consult with your physician before having any medical procedure performed.