Acne and Acne Scars

Acne Scar Treatment

Millions of people suffer the ravages of acne scars long after adolescence and the acne has faded. Scars are formed when acne breakout penetrates the skin deeply and damages the tissue involved. Acne in its most severe form can leave sufferers with deep permanent scars. The best way to treat acne scars is to prevent them as it may not be able to eradicate acne scars completely.

One or a combination of the following approaches might improve the appearance of your skin, depending on your scar type, your skin type, and the severity of the scarring.


Home skincare and prescription creams

Sunscreen offers photoprotection and reduces discoloration of acne scars. Topical retinoids, azelaic acid, hydroxyl acids have been found to be beneficial in speeding up cellular regeneration, reducing discoloration while also improving skin texture.

Pulsed light and lasers

Ablative lasers (such as Smartxide2 Fractional CO2 Laser) and non-ablative lasers are increasingly adopted. Laser treatment is beneficial in individuals with most acne scars. Proper consultation and careful selection of patients is crucial in establishing a good clinical outcome.

Chemical peel

By applying a chemical solution to the skin, mild scarring and comedogenic acne can be treated. It also improves your skin tone and reduces pore size.

Soft tissue fillers

Hyaluronic filler is injected in small quantities below the surface of the skin to elevate depressed scars. The goal is to make the scars less noticeable.

Steroid injection

Injecting steroids into some raised scars (such as hypertrophic or keloid scars) can improve the appearance of your skin

Surgery

Using a minor procedure known as punch excision, your doctor cuts out individual acne scars and repairs the wound with stitches. With a technique called subcision, your doctor inserts needles under the skin to loosen fibers below a scar.

Botulinum toxin

Botulinum toxin treatment relaxes the skin around the puckering acne scars and this may improve the appearance of acne scars. Repeated treatments are necessary to retain clinical efficacy.