According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most prevalent skin issue in America. While mild cases of acne will generally clear up without any long-term problems, moderate to severe acne can leave people with acne scarring. These acne scars can cause patients to feel self-conscious, leading to a loss of self-esteem. Individualized acne scar treatment can help patients eliminate unsightly and unwanted scarring on their faces and on other areas of their bodies.
There are things you can do to reduce your risk of scarring. While the below can help reduce your risk, genetics and the type of acne you have can also factor into whether or not you will develop scarring. If your acne becomes inflammatory or painful, you should visit your doctor to discuss treating your condition in order to prevent scarring.
If your acne scars are physically or mentally bothersome, you can seek scar treatment from your doctor. A dermatologist can help you figure out how to get rid of acne scars by examining the scarred area and recommending the best course of treatment for the kinds of scars that have developed.
The doctor will probably recommend pursuing more than one type of scar treatment for the best results in scar reduction. For the best results, the doctor will probably recommend pursuing a combination of treatments over the course of months. It is important to note that no one treatment alone can eliminate acne scarring and that patients should not expect immediate results.
• raising the scar through acne scar surgery or subcision
• resurfacing through laser therapy, chemical peeling, dermabrasion or microdermabrasion
• using injectable fillers to raise the scar
• tightening the skin through radiofrequency therapy
• micro-needling to encourage collagen growth
• using electrodesiccation to reshape the edges of scars
• injecting medication directly into the scars
• freezing the scarred tissue through cryosurgery
• prescribing medicated creams and gels
• recommending over-the-counter acne products
Some of these treatments may require that you take time off of work or school. Your doctor will discuss with you any special care your skin may need afterward.