Surgical Therapy of Acne Scars in Pigmented Skin

Problem: Surgical therapy of moderate or severe acne scars in African-Americans, Hispanics, and other individuals with darkly pigmented skin. Challenges: Dyspigmentation in more darkly complected individuals following surgical or resurfacing operations creates an additional risk in an already difficult series of procedures. Other challenges include the lack of response of deep acne scars to lasers in general, the unpredictability of various techniques, and the long learning curve involved with dermabrasion. Methods: Case reports are presented in which chemical peeling, punch grafting, punch elevation, subcision, dermal grafting, and wire brush and diamond fraise dermabrasion were employed in one Hispanic and one African-American patient. Results: A satisfactory outcome was attained in each patient.