Despite your best efforts to treat and heal acne, some breakouts leave scarring. Fortunately, there are plenty of in-office treatments that can help minimize the appearance of different types of scars. Your dermatologist will recommend treatments that best suit your skin type and the types of scars you have.
Acne scar treatment begins with getting your acne under control, since the fewer pimples you get, the less likely you are to develop scars. Your dermatologist will also focus on helping you avoid practices that can trigger new breakouts and worsen existing ones, including picking or squeezing your pimples and over-washing your face.
If you have raised acne scars, steroid injections can flatten them, and can be combined with laser treatments for enhanced results. Another option is a chemical peel, in which your doctor applies a special solution to remove the top layer of skin, which can lighten and minimize the appearance of deep scars.
Other treatments for atrophic (flat) acne scars include dermabrasion, in which your doctor gently brushes the surface of your skin with a rotating brush to help smooth it, and microneedling radiofrequency, in which a device is rolled over the skin to stimulate collagen production and smooth the scar. Injections of dermal fillers can also lift and plump scars.
Punch excision, a minor procedure in which your doctor cuts out the scar with a needle, and skin grafting, in which a piece of tissue taken from another part of your body — typically behind the ear – is placed on your skin to fill a scar, can also help with atrophic acne scars. acne scar treatment
