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
Microdermabrasion essentially polishes your skin by gently removing the top few layers with a wand or small wheel. Since it’s a fairly superficial treatment, many physicians don’t recommend it for acne scars nowadays given the availability of fractional lasers (see below). But microdermabrasion can improve the look of your scars with several treatments, especially if your condition is not severe. If you’re interested in trying this option, seek a professional with lots of experience with the equipment. Many doctors admit that results are highly dependent on technique.
Laser Treatment
Laser treatment, such as the popular Fraxel Laser, is considered by many physicians to be the best method for improving acne scars. The laser uses “fractional technology,” meaning it penetrates into the skin in columns, leaving surrounding tissues undisturbed. It acts on just a portion of skin at a time to promote faster healing. The small wounds created deep in the dermis encourage your body to regenerate collagen. Often the result is a much-improved skin surface. Most patients need a few or several sessions for best results.
Surgery
Finally, for very deep scars, surgery may be the right choice. There are several techniques a cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist can use, depending on the look of the scar. For large ones, your doctor may opt to remove and replace with a light suture scar that can be improved with less-invasive treatment after healing. Deep, “ice pick” scars are often treated with a circular “punch” incision and sutured closed or even “patched” with a small snippet of skin removed from elsewhere.
Before you begin waging war on your acne scars, it’s important to have your breakouts under control. Then, you need to look for an experienced professional with many different treatments to offer you, ensuring you don’t get cookie cutter recommendations. Your approach should be as individual as you are!