How to Reduce the Visibility of Acne Scars

Even after acne is gone, acne lesions can lead to scarring because the inflammation of the skin destroys collagen. However, there are several different treatments that can reduce the appearance of a breakout and help reduce the chance that new active acne lesions and new acne scars will form.

Acne Scar Treatment

When it comes to scar reduction treatment for acne, there are a wide range of options available. From simple topical treatments to non-invasive procedures and surgery, advancements in medical technology have made it possible to minimize the appearance of these bothersome scars.

• Acne Scar Creams, Fillers, and Injections: For those with acne scars that are swollen and red, a cortisone cream can be used to help calm the skin and reduce inflammation. Filler injections may also be beneficial for those with indentations from deep acne scars. Since the filler re-absorbs into the skin as time goes on, this procedure will need to be repeated every six to twelve months.
• Laser Acne Scar Reduction: Innovative new laser procedures have made it possible to minimize the look of acne scars as well as reduce uneven coloration. Many patients notice dramatic and long-lasting results. These laser acne scar revision therapies include:
• MircoLaser Peel: With this procedure, a laser precisely targets and removes the outermost layers of the acne scars as well as the surrounding tissue. The acne scars and surrounding tissue will eventually be replaced by healthier skin. The laser also boosts collagen production, which smoothes the scars so that they are less pronounced.
• Profractional: This form of laser treatment also stimulates collagen production and breaks up deep scar tissue to smooth the scar and plump the area of skin.
• IPL/BBL: This intense pulsed light therapy treats redness and stimulates collagen production by delivering energy deep into the skin. It is used to treat active acne by reducing skin bacteria and inflammation, as well as treating more mature red acne scars and hyper pigmentation.

The Little Things You Can Do to Treat Acne Scars

• Wear Sunscreen: When acne scars are exposed to the sun, they may become darker and the healing process may slow down. Before going outside, apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher containing zinc oxide. Be sure to reapply sunscreen every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
• Resist Picking and Squeezing Pimples: Picking and squeezing pimples causes further inflammation, which can lead to discoloration and scarring. It can also cause pus and bacteria to go deeper into the skin resulting in more collagen damage.
• Don’t Buy Into the Vitamin E Myth: There are many advertisements out there that say topically applying vitamin E to a scar can help it to heal quicker. Research has shown that the opposite may be true. According to a study, 90 percent of those who applied vitamin E to a scar saw no improvement or their scar got worse.
• Be Patient: One of the keys to diminishing acne scars is to simply be patient. Within just a few weeks after your skin breaks out and scars, new blood vessels move into that area to nourish the damaged skin. Within a few months, collagen begins to reform and eventually fill in injured areas. It can take up to a year for acne scars to fade because cystic acne destroys both skin and fat, but your body’s own treatment methods are some of the most effective of all.

Schedule a Consultation

If you have been considering acne scar treatment, be sure to set up a consultation.. Our doctors provide a thorough consultation and will help you decide which method of acne scar revision is best for your unique needs. Give us a call today at 303-578-4193 to schedule your appointment!