Many people who have finally conquered their acne problem find they face a second challenge almost as daunting: dealing with post-breakout scarring. The good news is that there are many treatment options today. While it’s generally not possible to achieve flawless skin, it definitely is possible to improve the look of your skin.
The key, of course, is finding an experienced dermatologist, cosmetic surgeon or other expert who can match your unique needs with the right treatments. Your options may include one or more of these:
Skin Lightening Products
Sometimes, acne leaves areas of blotchy, dark or reddish skin. The condition is called hyperpigmentation and, for many people, it will fade in time. To speed up the process, you might try prescription-strength creams containing ingredients such as retinoids or hydroquinone. Creams tend to be prescribed for women with lighter skin since there’s a small risk of hypopigmentation (too much lightening of the skin) for darker skin individuals.
Dermal Fillers
If you have just a few scattered, shallow scars, you may be able to disguise them with occasional injections of one of today’s popular dermal fillers. For acne scars, many experts prefer Radiesse, but Restylane and others can also be used. Fat injections and collagen-based fillers are also options. The key to this solution is 1) finding the right filler that works and lasts and 2) being the right candidate in the first place.
Chemical Peels
A medium to deep chemical peel that removes the top layers of skin will improve your skin’s overall texture. But one Florida-based facial plastic surgeon outlines why many professionals don’t favor chemical peels for acne scars as often as other options. Dr. Scott Trimas explains that the chemical solution penetrates the skin/scars evenly, when the real need is to sculpt and fill uneven skin. Since scarring causes bumps and depressions that need treatment to lie flat and smooth, a treatment that works uniformly over the skin is not usually the best answer.
Microdermabrasion
Comment on this postWe value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
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