Acne Scarring

Acne is every teen’s nightmare, and acne can sometimes even extend into adulthood. But long after pimples clear up and the redness and irritation are gone, some of us carry unwanted reminders: scarring. Unsightly scars left behind from acne can be tough to bear.

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But whether your acne scars are raised or sunken, there are several good ways to mask or minimize them — think laser resurfacing, chemical peels and microneedling.

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“I’m always amazed at how much healing the skin can do once you get the inflammation under control, ” says dermatologist Amy Kassouf, MD.

Acne is a common skin condition affecting about 80% of those between the ages of 11 and 30 at some point. It can be on your face, chest, back and shoulders. It may seem like the irritation will never go away, but it does. When it goes away, you may be left with acne scars.

Although it’s not possible to get rid of your acne scars quickly, it’s never too late to treat them. Teenage patients may have to wait until their early 20s before undergoing treatment to make sure there’s little risk of future acne flare-ups.

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While there are plenty of over-the-counter products that claim to improve a scar’s texture, color and appearance, there’s no real way to get rid of acne scars naturally and at home. Over-the-counter products may include the following ingredients:

But your best bet is to consult a dermatologist. First, they’ll focus on getting your acne under control. The fewer breakouts you have, the fewer scars you’ll get. And the good news is that not all acne scars are permanent.

Vascular-specific lasers target blood vessels and can help lighten flat or raised scars that are pink or purple and help flatten raised scars. Doctors often use fractional or carbon dioxide ablative lasers to treat acne scars.

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“Afterward, the skin is swollen and red, and may bleed, for up to five days, ” says Dr. Kassouf. “Also, you may need between three and five treatment sessions.”

Laser treatments aren’t just for acne. Doctors use lasers to treat other types of scarring as well, including those from burns, skin cancer and tattoo removal.

Your dermatologist may apply a chemical solution to your skin. This causes it to blister and eventually peel off, creating new, regenerated skin that’s usually smoother than the old skin.

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Peeling typically causes redness, and sometimes swelling and cold sores, for up to seven days. This treatment is also less expensive because you’ll usually only need one treatment session.

Also known as collagen-induction therapy, microneedling uses either a fine-needle roller or pen device to create tiny holes in the top layer of your skin. The procedure stimulates collagen production, which helps improve fine lines and skin texture.

Redness occurs afterward and typically lasts a couple of days. Most people will need four to six microneedling treatments for best results.

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Your doctor may use more than one type of treatment, too, depending on your needs. For instance, they may treat some scars with a laser and others with microneedling.

“When you have damaged skin, no treatment will make it look perfect again, ” states Dr. Kassouf. “But, depending on its severity, an acne scar can diminish by as much as two-thirds after treatment.”

A round tool is used to completely remove a scar by puncturing the top layer of skin. Then, skin sutures are used to close the area, which should result in a smaller, flatter scar that fades over time.

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Another treatment that may be helpful before any of the lasers or peels is called subcision, a procedure that involves releasing a scar that’s bound to the muscle or deeper tissues so that it can move freely again.

This technique, which uses a surgical probe or needle, is used with deeper scars to bring them to the surface to enhance their response to the laser, chemical peel or microneedling.

Hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane® and Juvederm® help plump your skin and can smooth out any sunken areas, while collagen fillers like Bellafill® lift the acne scar and can add volume.

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Your doctor may also suggest an autologous fat transfer, in which fat from another part of your body is harvested and injected into the acne scar area.

For all varieties of filler, you may experience swelling, redness and discoloration. And depending on what type of filler is used, you may need multiple treatments.

Similar to laser resurfacing, dermabrasion uses a special tool that creates friction to remove your skin’s top layer. Think about it as a “sander” that smooths your skin.

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Once that top layer of skin is removed, a moist dressing will be applied to help it heal, which can take a couple of weeks.

Microdermabrasion is similar to dermabrasion, but typically involves multiple treatments with shorter recovery times. Microdermabrasion doesn’t go as deep or leave as permanent of a change as laser treatments but is less expensive and requires less preparation.

A common treatment, steroid injections can be used to flatten raised acne scars. You’ll need multiple treatments before you see any noticeable difference.

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Acne can be related to medications or other supplements, so always review medicines like birth control and workout supplements with a doctor.

Scarring can happen at any age, no matter if you’re a teenager and your hormones are changing or you’re an adult. Sometimes, when adults lose weight or lose elasticity in their skin as they age, scarring from years past becomes more evident.

“For other adults, they just find that the time is finally right to take care of themselves, ” Dr. Kassouf says. “I had a 60-year-old who said she has dealt with this scar all her life and wanted to do something about it. I’ve seen beautiful results with adults.”

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Many of us have had to deal with acne scars that don’t seem to go away. Your best bet to treat them? See a dermatologist who can perform in-office treatment options.Acne can leave scars on the face and other areas. For some people, they are an unwanted reminder of a painful and bothersome condition. However, home remedies and medical treatments can help get rid of them.

They occur when the skin does not make enough fibroblasts in the healing process. Fibroblasts are cells that play a crucial role in wound healing and collagen production.

These are similar to hypertrophic scars but tend to be thicker than the original acne spot. There is often hyperpigmentation, making them darker than the surrounding skin. They may be red or brown. There may also be itching or pain.

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Many people use natural remedies to help clear up acne scars. However, the science behind them is unclear. Some may cause further irritation or other problems so people should use them with caution.

Salicylic acid is a naturally occurring compound that is often an ingredient in acne skin care products. Salicylic acid peels help clear dirt, skin cells, and other debris that leads to acne from the pores of the skin.

Suggests using a peeling product containing 30% salicylic acid and applying it three to five times every 3–4 weeks. The authors also note that it is unlikely to cause hyperpigmentation and is, therefore, suitable for use on darker skin.

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However, people with sensitive skin should do a patch test on a small area of skin before using it on their entire face, as it may cause dryness or irritation.

It is important to note that retinoids can make the skin sensitive to the sun. Anyone using retinoids for acne or scar treatment should wear sunscreen when going outdoors.

The rate at which skin renews its cells. Some doctors recommend AHAs for treating acne and reducing the appearance of acne scars.

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AHAs are a mild form of acid that scrapes away the outer layer of skin to reveal fresh, new skin underneath. This process may help reduce hyperpigmentation due to scarring.

However, swelling, burning, and itching may occur at high concentrations. It is best to speak with a doctor before trying AHAs. They can help identify the best strength to use.

Of AHA. It can act as a gentle peel to pull away dead skin cells. It may help reduce the appearance of scars and smooth the skin.

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Recalls a small study in which seven people with icepick scars had treatment with a product that was 92% lactic acid. There was an improvement of over 75% in one person, 51–75% in three people, 26–50% in two people, and 1–25% in one person.

Hyperpigmentation, too. It is best to test products that contain lactic acid on a small patch of skin before using them to treat acne scarring.

Many products for acne contain lactic acid. It is also present in diluted apple cider vinegar, which makes for a more natural, cost-effective treatment.

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Experts do not know how these work, but they appear to help reduce the appearance and size of acne scars. They may do this by providing hydration. They can also reduce itching and pain and increase the flexibility of the skin.

A person will have to use the dressings all the time, which can be