Fading Acne Scars: 3 Solutions that ACTUALLY Work

 

If you grew up dealing with mild or to severe acne, you’d understand the depressing side of the scarring process. Out of all acne types, dealing with cystic acne can be one of the most difficult and trickiest forms. Not only are they hard to handle, they can also leave large, stubborn acne scars.

The first step to treating acne scars is to treat the acne first before tackling the scars. However, whether they are brand new or age old acne scars, these legitimate tips and solutions are actually effective to save you time!

 Contact a dermatologist if you are concerned about your acne!

1. Gentle Chemical Peels  (Mild to Severe Acne)

One of the best product to help treat acne scars are gentle chemical exfoliants. It will cause the outer layer of the skin to sweep off to  allow new skin to heal and grow over the acne scars. 

For instance, retinol has been widely used for treating moderate to severe acne scars because of its ability to regenerate healthy skin cells through collagen synthesis. Not only are they effective in treating acne, they are also great for fading and smoothing out stubborn scars.  

For an even more milder alternative to retinol, many people have turned to alpha and beta hydroxy acids (AHA and BHA). AHAs help detach the sludge of dead skin cells off the skin to allow a fresh layer of skin to grow. Also, because BHAs are oil soluble, it can help unclog pores and prevent acne from growing. Salicylic acid is the most popular form of BHAs and have been proven to be one of the best peeling agents.

2. Microdermabrasion (Moderate to Severe Acne)

Dermarolling or microneedling are considered extremely controversial in its effectiveness. However, it has made it on this list because it actually has been proven very effective for some people. The concept of microblading is to create trauma in the skin by poking tiny holes through the outer layer of the skin. By causing “damage,” the trauma promotes regeneration of new skin in response. Dermarolling can also be extremely effective for those with mild to severe acne scars when introduced correctly.

3. Laser Treatment  (Severe Acne)

Those who suffer from deep or boxcar scars might consider laser treatment for dramatic changes. Although it is on the expensive side of treatment, laser has proven its effectiveness to many patients. The laser will abrade the skin to stimulate collagen regeneration and tighten the skin to raise the scar. When the outer layer of dead skin cells have been removed, brand new skin will be introduced. 

However, it’s important to check in with your dermatologist about your any skin concerns before deciding in any laser treatment. Laser treatment can trigger even more scarring or discoloration in the skin (especially those with darker skin tones). In addition, patients are more vulnerable to infection and should think thoroughly before opting for the laser treatment.

 

Before You Try These Treatments

We understand that treating acne scars can be an extremely long and frustrating journey. It will require time and patience to understand what works for your skin.

Get a peace of mind. Ask  a dermatologist about your skin concerns now.