Punch Grafts For Acne

Punch treatments can include punch grafts, punch excisions and punch elevations. Punch grafts for acne are small skin grafts taken from an unscarred area, often behind the ear lobe, to replace scarred skin on the face. The grafts are taped into place as they heal for 5 to 7 days. This method is particularly useful if you have deep acne scars.

Punch excisions are used on deep icepick and boxcar scars. It involves using a punch tool, much like a miniature cookie cutter that ranges in diameter from 1.5mm to 3.5mm. The size of the tool depends on the size of the scar and best match is made to ensure the wall of the scar is removed as well. The skin edges are brought together and this newly produced scar is more likely to fade and not be noticeable.

Punch excisions can be combined with punch grafts. Often a skin resurfacing technique is recommended 4 to 6 weeks later to correct any color or texture differences.

In punch elevations, the same tool as punch excisions is used but only the base (not the walls) of the scar is removed. This base is then elevated to the skin surface and attached with steri-strips or skin glue. This method reduces the risk of texture or color differences and additional scarring.

Be sure to visit the Acne Treatment Results page to review any feedback left by others who have undergone punch grafts for acne.