Active outbreaks are aggravating enough, but the scars left behind by acne can leave you with low self-esteem. With that being said, acne scars can be treated, which is excellent news.
However, before you can begin treatment, you must first eliminate any acne for good, as fresh breakouts might result in new acne scars.
Some of the scar remedies listed below can’t be used in conjunction with traditional acne drugs, and the irritation created by breakouts can make therapy less effective.
Types of acne scarring
When a breakout penetrates the skin deeply and destroys the tissues beneath it, scars occur.
It’s important to identify the type of scar you have before attempting to treat it. Treatments respond differently to each kind, and some are better for certain types of scarring than others.
- Atrophic or depressed scars
The face is the most prevalent site for atrophic scars. A depressed scar is visible beneath the surface of the skin. They occur when not enough collagen is produced during the healing process of a wound. Atrophic scars are divided into three categories:
- Boxcar – These scars are broad, U-shaped, and have sharp edges. They can range in depth from modest to deep. The better they respond to skin resurfacing procedures, the shallower they are.
- Ice pick – Ice pick scars are small, V-shaped scars that can penetrate the skin deeply. They have the appearance of little round or oval holes, similar to a chickenpox scar. Because they can extend well into the skin’s surface, these scars are the most difficult to cure.
- Rolling – These are large depressions with rounded edges and an uneven, rolling look.
- Hypertrophic/raised scars
Acne scars on the chest and back are the most prevalent. They are caused by too much collagen during healing and rise beyond the surface of the surrounding skin.
- Dark spots
A dark spot is a discoloration left behind after a pimple has healed. The purple, red, or brown markings will typically vanish on it’s own after a few months.
The best acne scar removal treatment
There is an array of different treatment options for people suffering with scarring – see below:
PRP injections for acne scars
Platelet rich plasma (PRP) treatment is a procedure that uses the healing capabilities of a patient’s own blood to treat a variety of skin disorders, including acne scars.
PRP has gained popularity as a less intrusive alternative to laser and surgical procedures and because of celebrity endorsements.
For treatment, a concentrated solution of platelets extracted from your blood is injected into the afflicted region of skin.
Platelets are a naturally occurring component of blood that play an important role in the healing and regeneration of new skin tissue, notably collagen and elastin.
When your own platelet-rich blood is injected into your skin, it speeds up the healing process and helps your skin repair the damage caused by acne scars.
Best for: Atrophic acne scarring
- Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is another successful scar treatment. Healthcare practitioners utilise a wire brush or a wheel to more extensively exfoliate the top layer of the skin, which is similar to what you may do at home with microdermabrasion kits.
Best for: Boxcar/rolling scarring
- Chemical peels
These aren’t the facemasks you use while binge-watching your favourite guilty pleasure. A chemical peel is a powerful acid that removes the top layer of skin in order to decrease underlying scars.
Some chemical peels are gentle enough to employ at home, but your healthcare expert might recommend a harsher solution that will provide more dramatic effects.
Chemical peels come in a variety of forms, so it’s crucial to discuss which one is good for you with your healthcare professional.
Best for: Deeper scarring
- Microneedling
On the surface of the scars, a tiny, portable, needle-studded roller or hand-held pen is used. The needles pierce the numbed skin and then collagen is produced while the skin heals.
Data suggests that microneedling can help reduce the depth of acne scars, although results can take up to 9 months. It’s a safe procedure that works for all skin tones, despite the little fear element. It is also great to combine microneedling with the likes of PRP injections.
Best for: Depressed scarring
The takeaway
Acne scars can be aggravating, but there are a number of therapies that can help them fade away. Although most scars are permanent, a healthcare expert can assist you in finding the best therapy to help minimise their appearance.
The easiest approach to avoid an acne scar is to avoid it altogether.
If you have fewer breakouts, you’re less prone to acquire acne scars. No matter how tempting it may be, avoid picking, popping, or squeezing any outbreak to avoid irritating the skin and injuring the underlying tissue, which can lead to scarring.