Acne scars can have a real impact on a person’s self-image. Fortunately, they can be treated or removed with a variety of options that are effective for all skin types and tones.
The first step in acne scar treatment is to find an appropriate solution for the underlying acne that caused the scarring. A consultation with a dermatologist can help you find the best approach.
When the acne has been cleared, there are a number of in-office procedures that can reduce the appearance of scarring and give your skin an overall smoother texture. These include resurfacing techniques such as dermabrasion and microdermabrasion, laser resurfacing (ablative and non-ablative) and chemical peels.
Resurfacing treatments remove the top layers of skin, which helps to blur the appearance of acne scars and blend them into your surrounding skin. This can be particularly useful for rolling and superficial boxcar scars.
For hypertrophic and ice pick scars, dermatologists can inject steroids into the raised scar to soften fibrous tissue and flatten it. Another option is dermal fillers, in which a substance such as hyaluronic acid is injected into a depressed scar to lift it and restore the skin’s natural contour.
Surgery can also be used for certain kinds of acne scars, such as punch excision or a skin graft. During these minor procedures, your doctor cuts into the skin and removes the acne scars, and then stitches up the wound. Other surgical options can also be effective, including subcision, in which your doctor uses needles to break apart the fibrous tissue that pulls down scars into lower levels of your skin. acne scar treatment