If you have ever experienced severe acne, you may have acne scars. And, while acne scars do fade over time, sometimes these undesirable acne scars last and it might make you frustrated. It’s not always how you treat acne when you first have it that causes scarring, either. Some people have a genetic predisposition to how their skin responds to acne.
Types of Acne Scars
Discoloration
Acnes may cause dark spots that are pink, red, purple, brown or black. These are actually not acne scars, it is post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or PIH. This is a reaction where the skin produces more melanin in reaction to the acne inflammation. The discoloration will fade over time, but the discoloration can be minimized by encouraging new skin growth. To reduce PIH, exfoliate your skin regularly with a product that includes glycolic acid, use a product to reduce discoloration (Anew Clinical Absolute Even Multi-Tone Skin Corrector), and wear sunscreen because the sun will make discoloration darker as it reacts with the melanin.
Pits & Depressions
Some acne will leave indentations in the skin. This is a result of collagen in the skin being destroyed. These depressions, or pock marks, can have different appearances:
- Ice pick - long, deep indentations usually caused by cyst acne
- Boxcar - a rounded indentation usually caused by destruction of collagen when acne erupts
- Rolling - waves of skin, often caused when underlying layers of skin attach to skin and pull it tight
Growths
Some acne actually creates a chunk of skin growth.
Keloid (Hypertrophic) scars are caused by an overproduction of scar tissues in reaction to a wound. Any wound can create a keloid growth, which typically raises above the skin.
Acne Scar Treatment Options
If you are in a place where you want to try to treat your acne scars, there are a few options.
Dermatologist or Esthetician Procedures
- Laser - Laser resurfacing surgery is ablative or non ablative. Ablative laser resurfacing (CO2 or erbium) is probably the number one choice for effectiveness, especially for atrophic scarring. However, this is a procedure that removes layers of the dermis through the epidermis, and therefore an open wound that needs care to avoid infection and may cause hyperpigmentation (discoloration). Ablative laser treatments target areas to stimulate collagen growth and smooth the skin. They also do not go as deep.
- Fillers - Dermal fillers are injected into the skin to help lift depression type acne scars and make the skin appear smoother. Unfortunately, this treatment is typically temporary.
- Punch excision -Typically used for ice pick type scars, this treatment cuts out the entire scar, and the remaining wound is sealed together. It can also be used to close large open pores.
- Skin needling - Collagen Induction Therapy is one of the newest professional treatments for acne scars. The procedure punctures the skin with micro needles, which creates tiny wounds that then stimulates new collagen growth.
- Subcision - Sometimes scars will seal into a pucker due to abnormal collagen growth. This type of scar can be rebuilt using subcision, where those puckering collagen fibers are released with a surgical needle, and this allows the scar to regrow evenly.
- Dermabrasion - This treatment removes layers of skin with a wire brush. This resurfacing of the skin encourages skin to repair as it grows back. Microdermabrasion uses an abrasive spray to remove skin layers.
- Chemical peels - Chemicals are used to peel off layers of the skin which stimulates collagen growth and encourage a smooth texture.
Natural
There are a variety of home remedies that have been suggested for the treatment of acne scars.
Lemon juice has a natural bleaching property and contains natural AHA, and may work for areas of discoloration.
Baking soda may work as a mild chemical peel.
Tea tree oil may help reduce raised or hypertrophic scars.
Aloe vera is great to help cells rebuild. I’ve also seen
honey, which has natural antibiotics.
Topical
Topical, or over the counter acne scar treatments are non invasive. Topical treatments could be anything that stimulates collagen repair, vitamin a, or antioxidant, or treatments specifically formulated to address acne scar issues. Many people would rather try diy acne scar treatments or treatments without surgery by a dermatologist or treatments from an esthetician. The beauty of topicals is that no harm can truly be done, and if the treatment doesn’t respond with your skin concerns, you can proceed to the professional treatments.
What it does: This product with AHA resurfaces the skin 79% as effectively as microdermabrasion
What the reviews say:
What it does: Using glycolic acids from plant products, these pads help retexturize and resurface the top layer of the skin to make it look smoother
What the reviews say:
What it does: DSX-7 technology improves the appearance of discoloration, dark spots and red patches
What the reviews say:
What it does: Hyaluronic acid and shea butter work together to fill acne depressions and encourage collagen.
What the reviews say:
DISCLAIMER: The information provided here is meant for general information and is not intended to replace qualified medical expertise or treatment. I can answer general skincare questions, but for diagnosis, treatment or details about skin health, contact your physician, dermatologist or esthetician.
