How to Best Treat Acne Scars

Acne can be a frustrating skin condition, especially when it leaves behind scars. Whether you’ve dealt with occasional breakouts or persistent acne, you’ve likely experienced the aftermath: acne scars. These marks can range from small, shallow spots to deep, depressed scars that affect your skin’s texture and appearance. While it’s natural for acne to heal over time, acne scars can linger far longer. Fortunately, there are many ways to treat acne scars, with treatments suited to different types of scars. In this guide, we’ll explore how to best treat acne scars, so you can achieve smoother, clearer skin.

What Are Acne Scars?

Acne scars form when the skin heals from an acne breakout. The process involves inflammation and the body’s natural healing process, which can sometimes lead to excess or insufficient collagen production. The result is a variety of scar types, including depressed, raised, and even keloid scars. These scars can appear as icepick, boxcar, or rolling scars, each affecting the skin’s texture differently. The severity of your scars will depend on several factors, including the type of acne, the depth of the breakout, and your skin’s natural healing response.

What Are the Types of Acne Scars?

Acne scars come in different types, and knowing which one you have can help determine the best treatment:

1. Depressed Acne Scars (Atrophic Scars): These occur when the skin loses collagen, causing indentations. Common types include icepick scars (deep, narrow) and boxcar scars (wider, with indented edges).
2. Rolling Scars: These scars have a wave-like appearance, caused by uneven traction on the skin’s underlying tissue.
3. Raised Acne Scars: These occur when excess collagen is produced during healing, resulting in raised bumps. Hypertrophic scars stay within the wound, while keloid scars extend beyond it, causing discomfort.
4. Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH): Not a true scar, but dark spots left after acne heals. It’s common in people with darker skin tones and fades over time.

How to Treat Acne Scars: Options for All Scar Types

Now that we understand the different types of acne scars, let’s explore how to treat them. While the treatments may vary depending on the scar type, there are several options available for all skin types. At Skin Artistry Clinic, all acne scar treatments are personally performed by Dr. Faiqa Chaudhry, M.D., ensuring medical-level precision and personalized care. 

1. Topical Treatments & Over-the-Counter Solutions

For minor acne scars and post-acne marks, products with salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and retinoids can improve skin texture, promote exfoliation, and prevent future breakouts. These ingredients can gradually fade scars and even out skin tone.

For deeper scars, stronger treatments like vitamin C serums and niacinamide can brighten dark spots. However, for depressed scars or those with significant scar tissue, more advanced treatments may be needed.

2. Chemical Peels

Chemical peels involve applying a solution that exfoliates the skin’s outer layer, revealing newer, healthier skin underneath. Deep peels are particularly effective for improving skin texture and addressing deeper scars. The most common types include glycolic acid peels and salicylic acid peels, which help to remove dead skin cells, smooth the skin’s surface, and stimulate collagen production. For those with sensitive skin, milder peels can be used to gradually improve skin texture without excessive irritation.

At Skin Artistry Clinic, chemical peels are performed by Dr. Faiqa Chaudhry, M.D., allowing the peel strength and formulation to be carefully adjusted based on your scar depth and skin sensitivity.

3. Laser Resurfacing

Laser treatments are one of the best ways to treat deep acne scars, especially those caused by depressed scars. Laser resurfacing uses targeted beams of light to remove layers of skin and stimulate collagen production. Fractional laser therapy and CO2 laser treatments are popular options for treating acne scars. These treatments can reduce the appearance of raised scars and improve skin texture by encouraging the skin’s natural healing process.

For people with darker skin tones, it’s important to consult a dermatologist about the best laser options. Some lasers may cause pigmentation changes, so understanding your skin type is crucial to avoiding any potential side effects.

4. Microneedling & Skin Needling

Microneedling, or skin needling, involves tiny needles that create micro-injuries in the skin, stimulating the production of collagen and promoting the healing of scar tissue. This procedure is particularly beneficial for depressed scars and rolling scars as it encourages skin regeneration. It’s generally suitable for all skin types and can improve overall skin texture.

After microneedling treatment, the skin heals faster than with deeper treatments, meaning minimal downtime. However, the results often take time to show, and multiple sessions may be required to see noticeable improvements.

5. Dermal Fillers

For deep acne scars that have left significant indentations, dermal fillers can be an effective solution. Fillers, typically composed of hyaluronic acid, are injected into the scar to “fill in” the depressed areas. This treatment helps smooth out the skin’s surface and can provide immediate results. However, it’s important to note that dermal fillers are temporary solutions, so you may need follow-up treatments to maintain your results.

6. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy uses your body’s natural healing properties to repair scar tissue. The process involves drawing a small amount of blood, processing it to concentrate the platelets, and injecting it into the affected area. PRP injections help stimulate collagen production, improving skin texture and reducing the appearance of scars over time.

PRP therapy is a safe and natural way to stimulate collagen production without introducing foreign substances into the skin.

How Long Does It Take to See Results?

The timeline for seeing results from acne scar treatments depends on the severity of the scars and the treatment used. For superficial scars, you may notice improvements within a few weeks, especially with topical treatments or chemical peels. However, for more severe scarring, such as ice pick scars or boxcar scars, it can take several months or even longer to see significant improvements.

The key is consistency and patience. Acne scars don’t disappear overnight, but with the right treatments, your skin can gradually improve.