Acne scars: What's the best treatment? (2024)

FAQs

What treatment is best for acne scars? ›

Medication applied to the skin: If you have mild acne scarring, a retinoid or salicylic acid can make scarring less noticeable. Microneedling: During this procedure, your dermatologist uses tiny needles to puncture the skin with acne scars. Puncturing the skin causes the body to produce new collagen and elastin.

First and foremost, it is possible to permanently remove or reduce acne scars. Because acne scars are usually caused by a combination of collagen malformation and skin discoloration from inflammation or sun damage, many aesthetic treatments that resurface and rejuvenate the skin can also address acne scars.

Silicone gel (sheet or ointment): Used since 1982, silicone can: Treat a raised scar by reducing its size, hardness, redness, swelling, itch, or stiffness. Prevent a raised scar, especially after surgery.

Can any retinoids fade acne scars? Stronger concentrations of retinol may help fade the appearance of some acne scars, but in general, retinoids are used to treat active acne to help prevent scarring or reduce its severity. These stronger retinoids include tretinoin, isotretinoin and adapalene.

Vitamin C also functions as a brightening agent. It has properties that reduce dark spots without changing your skin color. Combining vitamin C serums with other brightening agents like iontophoresis can significantly enhance the results. It improves the appearance of scars caused by acne.

Even with treatment, acne scars are difficult to heal. There's no 100% guarantee that the acne scars will be completely gone. But most treatments reduce the size of the acne scars and make them less visible.

The most difficult type of acne scars to treat is icepick acne scarring. Ice pick scars are narrow, V-shaped scars that go deep into the skin. They often look like small oval holes, similar to a chicken pox scar. Because of these characteristics they are the most difficult acne scars to treat.

Salicylic acid clears pores, reduces swelling and redness, and exfoliates the skin when applied topically. It's considered to be one of the best treatments for acne scars. You can add products with salicylic acid into your daily routine, or your skin care specialist may use it for less frequent chemical peels.

Does Vaseline help acne scars? ›

Your skin needs moisture to heal and improve its appearance. The top layer of skin alone – the stratum corneum – can absorb three times its weight in water. If you suffer from acne scarring on your body (shoulders and back for example) moisturize with Vaseline® Intensive Care Deep Restore Lotion.

Retinol: This can unclog pores and fade dark spots. You'll find benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or retinol in acne products that you can buy without a prescription. Retinol is a type of retinoid. Another retinoid that may be helpful is adapalene gel 0.1%.

Does vitamin E diminish scars? While vitamin E may help moisturize the skin, research indicates that vitamin E oils and supplements have no notable effect on scars. Vitamin E has a wide range of benefits, including keeping the eyes healthy and strengthening the immune system.

If you're thinking about getting rid of your scars, you can go see a dermatologist. They have special training in skin issues and know about many treatments that can help fade, shrink, or smooth out acne scars. But before a dermatologist can decide which option may work best for you, they'll need to examine your skin.

Does Microneedling Work on Acne Scars? Yes, microneedling can be effective in reducing the appearance of acne scars. The procedure works by creating controlled micro-injuries in the skin, which stimulate the body's natural healing response and promote the production of new collagen and elastin.

Chemical peel treatments can help reduce the appearance of acne scars, among other skin concerns such as dark spots, fine lines, and dullness. Unfortunately, chemical peels can not be used to remove acne scars altogether. No cosmetic treatment can completely remove an acne scar or any other type of scar.