Related Resources For Acne Scars
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Is Laser Treatment Good For Acne Scar Removal
One of the various prevalent acne scar removal treatments is a laser. It can help in the removal of mild to moderate scars on the face.
It works by removing the skins upper damaged layer while tightening the middle layer. The procedure could take a few minutes to several hours, depending on the severity of the scars.
Laser treatments include ablative, non-ablative, and fractionated lasers. The majority of the time, their impact is permanent without needing to return for a follow-up.
However, its not always the best for deep scars, as its more difficult for the laser to reach that deep.
The Best Acne Scar Treatments According To Dermatologists
Acne, on its own, is extremely frustrating and can take a serious toll on our confidence. Unfortunately, even after active acne controlled and cleared with the right skincare products, we’re often left with a long-term reminder of the pimples that were once thereacne scars. While post-acne dark spots and hyperpigmentation can be treated successfully with a dark spot remover, treating real, textured acne scars is challenging. That said, it is certainly possible! Read on to learn more.
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How Many Treatments Will You Need
The number of treatments you will need to remove or reduce your acne scars will depend on the treatment or treatments you are using. Some laser treatments are powerful enough to reduce acne scars in as little as one appointment, while other laser or IPL treatments may need multiple sessions to improve the appearance of the skin.
Some treatments may also require annual appointments once or twice a year to maintain your results. For example, dermal fillers, microneedling, and chemical peels may all require annual appointments so you can continue to see positive results.
Why Do Acne Scars Occur
Why do some people have acne scars, while others dont?
The reasons vary, but genetics is one risk factor for scarring. If a blood relative struggles with acne scarring, you might, too, according to the American Academy of Dermatology . Also, scarring tends to happen more as the skin loses collagen with age.
Because collagen plays a role in the healing process, your skin produces new collagen as it repairs itself after a breakout. But sometimes, it produces too little or too much, resulting in a scar.
Keep in mind that acne is an inflammatory condition. Scar development has a lot to do with the extent and duration of skin inflammation, so delaying acne treatment raises the risk of scarring, according to the AAD.
Acne scars result from a complex and abnormal inflammatory response, which results in poor wound healing, says Kara Shah, MD, a board-certified general and pediatric dermatologist with Kenwood Dermatology in Cincinnati.
Because scarring is a complication of acne, anyone who experiences a breakout can have temporary or permanent scars, according to the NHS yet scarring is most common in those who suffer from inflammatory acne characterized by numerous pimples and cysts, says Dr. Shah.
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How To Get Rid Of Acne Scars Using The Best Creams & Serums:
Although it isnt a good idea to you throw away your hard earned money on all those offensive products that do nothing but harm your skin, but on the other hand, theres nothing wrong with taking advantage of the products that are proven to provide the best results.
Keeping this in mind, heres a list of some of the most productive, highly rated, and demanded acne scar removal creams and serums that can be trusted to be given a try.
Dermabrasion For Pimple Scars
Dermabrasion is similar to laser resurfacing. Your doctor uses a mechanical instrument to slowly remove the top layer of skin. A smooth layer of new skin replaces the scarred layer as you heal. This procedure is effective against surface pimple scars and typically requires a week of recovery.â
There is another treatment called microdermabrasion. It involves a series of treatments with shorter recovery times.
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The Stages Of Acne Scars :
Considering the stage or severity of your scars will help you to determine which type of treatment will be more effective to get rid of them saving you time, effort, and hard earned money in the end.
a) Mild Stage of Acne Scars: If you just have ice pick scars of sizes no more than 1-2mm deep, and they only cover a small portion of your face , then your condition is considered to be relatively mild.
b) Moderate Stage of Acne Scars: If you have deeper ice pick scars along with boxcar or rolling scars of small sizes, or you only have any one of them, and they cover a relatively bigger area of your skin, then youre in the moderate stage of acne scars.
c) Severe Stage of Acne Scars: If you have hypertrophic, rolling, or boxcar scars of bigger sizes and they are found in abundance on your skin, then youre definitely suffering from a severe stage.
How Long Does It Take For Acne Scars To Go Away
The answer to this question depends on the type of acne scar you have. Some or most acne scars dont go away that quickly, unfortunately.
Overall, yes acne scars will go away but some types of scars require treatment. Dark spots or hyperpigmentation can fade on its own after several months, but you may want to treat them to speed the process. Depressed acne scars may remain permanent without treatment, but with treatment you can expect acne scars to improve within 3-6 months of consistent treatment.
Because each individual’s skin type reacts differently to acne scarring and healing, it is challenging to pinpoint an exact time frame. Multiple treatments may be required for the individual to feel satisfied with the results.
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Consider A Subcision Procedure To Break Up Scars
Performed in-office by a dermatologist, a subcision procedure involves breaking up the cord of scar tissue responsible for tethering the skin down and making a depression . During this procedure, a needle is inserted into the skin to break the collagen cord. Camp warns it can be associated with bruising, though.
Dermatological Procedures To Improve Or Remove Acne Scars
But while certain measures can help prevent new scarring, what are your options for minimizing the appearance of existing scars?
Common procedures to remove or improve acne scars include:
Dermabrasion This effective scar removal treatment uses a high-speed brush or other instrument to resurface your skin and remove or reduce the depth of scars. It can take up to three weeks for skin to heal.
Microdermabrasion For this less-intensive type of dermabrasion, a dermatologist or aesthetician uses a handheld device to remove surface skin. More than one treatment may be required, but theres no downtime, according to the AAD.
Chemical peel During a chemical peel, a chemical solution is applied to the skin. It removes the outer layer of your skin, resulting in a smoother, more even appearance. You may experience redness and peeling for three to seven days after the procedure, notes the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery .
Laser Your dermatologist can use a laser resurfacing treatment to remove the outer layer of your skin, contour areas of acne scars, or lighten redness around healed acne lesions. Healing may take between 3 and 10 days.
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Ask Your Dermatologist About Accutane
Yulia Reznikov/Getty
A common but powerful prescription medication, isotretinoin is a prescription acne medication that is specifically indicated for scarring acne. When other forms of treatment have been ineffective and exhausted, Camp says that isotretinoin is helpful for providing a durable remission in scarring acne. You should only begin an Accutane prescription under the guidance of your board-certified dermatologist, and it can be helpful to go into your appointment with some background knowledge of its potential side effects.
Are You A Good Candidate For Acne Scar Treatment
Most people who have acne scars are good candidates for acne scars treatment. Women and men over the age of 21 who have post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, icepick scars, boxcar scars, rolling scars, and keloid scars are usually good matches for one or more treatments for acne scar reduction and removal.
Candidates for this treatment should have healthy skin with acne that is well-managed. Some treatments for acne scars cannot be effective if you have active acne. If you want to treat your acne scars, then you may first need to have treatment to reduce or control your active acne. Additionally, some treatments may not be ideal for women who are pregnant or nursing.
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How To Treat Residual Discoloration
Retinol: My first line of defense is topical retinoids, says Susan Bard, M.D., of Vive Dermatology. In addition to combating active acne, it also helps fade any dark marks left behind by the acne and also stimulates collagen production to help fill in some of the depressed scars. Apply a prescription-strength topical retinoid to your face every night. This should be part of the skincare regimen you use for the rest of your life.
Chemical Peels: Chemical peels help control acne and help fade dark marks as well as stimulate collagen deposition, says Bard. Sometimes, the fastest way to a smoother complexion is to resurface your face altogether. Chemical peels help shed the older surface layer of the skin with a chemical agent. The younger skin underneath is brighter, more youthful, and often smoother in complexion. In theory, youre getting rid of that dark spot by surfacing healthier cells.
SPF + Patience: While its not helpful to hear, your dark spots just need time to heal. However, Sara Moghaddam, M.D., of Vive Dermatology Surgery & Aesthetics, stresses the importance of using SPFs daily, in order to shield the dark spots from the sun. While it may seem like a nice tan will mask the dark spot, itll only worsen the discoloration. By shielding the skin from UV rays, youll heal faster.
Best Acne Scar Treatments Of : How To Treat Acne Scars
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Treatments for acne scars are typically intensive, the best results coming from lasers, injections and fillers best handled by medical professionals, experts told us. There are, however, some solid home treatments you can consider if you want to improve the appearance of acne scars. To understand how some of these at-home treatments work and what their limitations are we consulted dermatologists and found some highly rated options to consider based on their guidance.
Before you choose an at-home treatment, it’s important to understand what acne scars are, what they aren’t and when to differentiate them from hyperpigmentation, dark spots caused by inflammatory skin issues like acne and eczema, according to board-certified dermatologist Corey Hartman, MD. While hyperpigmentation can fade away on its own within 12 months, acne scars are permanent textural changes like bumps and roughness, according to Hartman. Since people with darker skin tones naturally have more melanin in their skin, they are more likely to experience hyperpigmentation due to those aforementioned inflammatory skin issues, explained Arisa Ortiz, MD, the director of laser and cosmetic dermatology at UC San Diego.
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How To Treat Textural Irregularities
Sunscreen + Retinol: Sunscreen and retinols are baseline, reminds Avnee Shah, M.D., of The Dermatology Group in New Jersey. Add these habits into your daily regimen, and never abandon them. They work to thwart further damage from the sun, and smooth and firm the skin over time by stimulating collagen .
Microneedling With or Without Platelet-Rich Plasma : Microneedling works by creating micro-injuries a few millimeters into the skin, says Shah. This promotes collagen remodeling, which allows scarring to improve.
I love microneedling for acne scars, adds Lilly-Rose Paraskevas, M.D., of Rose Dermatology. With every treatment, the scars are shallower and less noticeable. Even the redness within the scars can be improved. Unlike some laser treatments, theres no risk of burns or discoloration from microneedling.
Many doctors will combine this with platelet-rich plasma , which involves the extraction of your own plasma , and injecting it into the area to stimulate healing.
Lately Ive been stunned by the combination of microneedling with radiofrequency, when used alone or in conjunction with PRP, says Martinez-Diaz. Ive been using the device Secret RF by Cutera with outstanding results. The device enables me to treat a wide variety of acne scars in different depths. Just note youll need a series of treatments, so it can get a bit pricy, but its worth it.
Its Never Too Late To Treat Those Scars
Although its not possible to get rid of your acne scars quickly, its never too late to treat them. Teenage patients may have to wait until their early 20s before undergoing treatment to make sure theres little risk of future acne flare-ups.
While theres no real way to get rid of acne scars naturally and at home, there are a few things you can do to reduce your risk of getting acne scars:
- Quit smoking or dont start smoking.
- Keep your hands off of your face. Resist the urge to pick or squeeze your pimples.
- Treat your acne as soon as possible to reduce the chance of scars.
Scarring can happen at any age, no matter if youre a teenager and your hormones are changing or youre an adult. Sometimes when adults lose weight or lose elasticity in their skin as they age, scarring from years past becomes more evident.
Occasionally, we will actually remove a pitted scar that we know wont heal well with standard treatment using a technique called punch excision, she says. This is where the whole scar and hair follicle are removed prior to resurfacing.
Another treatment that may be helpful before any of the lasers or peels is called subcision, a procedure that involves releasing a scar thats bound to the muscle or deeper tissues so that it can move freely again. Both of these techniques are used with deeper scars to bring them to the surface to enhance their response to the laser, chemical peel or microneedling.
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What Are The Benefits Of This Treatment
Reducing the appearance of your acne scars is the biggest benefit of this treatment. When your skin is smooth and even-toned, you will feel more confident about your appearance. Acne scars can be incredibly detrimental to your overall sense of self-confidence, so without acne scars, you will feel better about yourself. Some other benefits include:
Better Looking Cosmetics
If you are a fan of make-up, then you might already know that textural acne scars can make foundations and other cosmetics difficult to wear. Make-up worn over deep acne scars can actually make scarring worse. People who have post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or lingering redness from chronic acne may also struggle to cover these scars. After successful acne scars treatment, you may not even want or need to wear make-up.
Better Skin Health
While many of these treatments are used to improve the appearance of scars, they can also have the added benefit of improving the appearance of your skin overall. Because most of these treatments are used on all areas of the face, you can potentially improve the appearance of blemishes, sun damage, age spots, skin laxity, and fine lines or wrinkles. These treatments can also be combined with other aesthetic treatments to improve the tone, texture, and overall appearance of your skin.
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Do Acne Scars Fade Away Eventually If So How Long Does It Take
The duration your acne scar will take to vanish away will depend on its type. Some people will pick at the acne and end up with an acne scar, while others will leave it alone and still find themselves with scarring. If you are in the second group, count yourself unlucky!
If you think that your acne scars can fade overnight, think again. The sad truth is that acne scars dont vanish quickly.
What Would A Dermatologist Prescribe For Acne Scars
Dermatologists are skin care specialists and can determine the best treatment option for every individual based on their medical history and type of acne scarring. A dermatologist might prescribe a topical cream such as Epiduo Forte, Tretinoin, or maybe something containing glycolic, hyaluronic, or salicylic acid. They might also prescribe an oral medication such as Absorica to help the skin renew itself and produce less oil. A dermatologist might also recommend therapies like dermabrasion, dermal fillers, laser therapy, or micro-needling.
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