The least enjoyable part of the whole acne experience is the possibility of acne scars.  These acne scars can remain long after the acne has been cleared from your skin.  If you’re looking for ways to avoid getting acne scars, then here are a few tips:

Prevention is Better Than Cure

If you are just starting to get acne, you may want to consult your dermatologist during this early stage to try and prevent your acne from getting worse and causing those unwanted acne scars.  Getting rid of your acne quickly will greatly reduce your chances of getting acne scarring.  A qualified dermatologist will help you determine your skin type and discuss with you the various “triggers” that often exacerbate acne.

What if I already have scars?

If you acne has already progressed beyond the initial stages of whiteheads and blackheads, you’ll need to concentrate on getting rid of the pimples and preventing acne scars.  Before you can get rid of the acne scars, you’ll need to know a few things:

What are Acne Scars?

Acne scars are usually formed when pimples either get very inflamed or do not fully heal.  Acne scars are formed when at least one of the layers of healthy skin is injured.  Within the damaged skin, your body forms new tissue fibers within the wound.  This process stops the acne bleeding, but leaves excess tissue that appears as an acne scar.

In order to get rid of acne scars, the acne scar tissue must be replaced by healthy tissue via some process or method.  The ability to completely clear-up your acne scars depends on two things:  1) The severity of the scarring, and 2) the treatment method you follow.  The more severe the acne scarring, the longer the healing process.

Treatment Methods for Acne Scars

While there are various methods on the market to assist you in healing acne scars, very few of them actually work.  As always, consult your own dermatologist to discuss which method is right for you.  Some methods have side effects that you should be aware of before starting the acne scar healing process.

Some of the more common acne scarring reduction programs are listed below:

Laser Resurfacing – Uses a carbon dioxide laser to burn away damaged skin, layer by layer.  As the outer layers of damaged skin are slowly removed, new skin cells can begin to grow and the healing process begins.  After a few weeks, a younger more healthier looking skin appears.  This is still a fairly new process, so it’s full effectiveness is still being accessed.

Dermabrasion – This process uses a spinning diamond instrument or wire brush to gradually wear down the outer layers of your skin, similar to laser resurfacing.  Over time, younger, smoother skin will replace the old skin that was removed by the abrasion.  The healing process can take up to 3 weeks.

Chemical Peels for Acne Scars – This approach applies acidic solutions to the skin to peel away the damaged layers.  The new skin that eventually forms is usually smoother.  These chemical peels range from very mild to deep penetration.  While some chemical peels can be applied at home, it is recommended to have your dermatologist perform the procedure for you.

Punch Grafts – This is most suited for those with deep or pitted acne scars.  This method involves punching a hole in your skin to remove the scar, then removing a small piece of undamaged healthy skin (usually from the area behind the ear) to replace the damaged skin.

Do These Acne Scar Treatments Work?

The acne scar treatments listed above seem to have a moderate success rate.  Ask your dermatologist which method is best for your skin type.  Each person is different.  What works for one may not be practical for another.  Be certain to address all the pros-and-cons with your dermatologist and before you know it, you’ll have healthier and better looking acne free skin.

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Filed under: Acne Scars

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