One of the most common skin conditions affecting up to 50 million Americans is acne. And perhaps, at some point in your life, especially during puberty, you may have experienced acne outbreaks. But for others, acne can manifest even up to the adolescent and young adult stages of their lives.
Although acne is generally not harmful to one’s health, it has several unpleasant aspects. For one, it can cause scarring and affect one’s overall skin appearance. In some cases, this can impact one’s well-being, as it can lower a person’s self-esteem, which can lead to psychological distress, depression, and a decreased quality of life.
Fortunately, today, there are various treatments that can help you manage acne and the scars that go with it. You can also see a dermatologist for a skin assessment or try natural home remedies. But considering that no skin is the same, no single treatment is best for all acne scars. The appropriate treatments may differ based on your scar type, skin type, and the severity of your scarring.
With that, here are some of the best treatment options you can explore and consider to get rid of acne scars:
- Chemical Peels
Chemical peel treatments are considered one of the most effective treatments to remove acne scars. Essentially, this procedure uses an acidic solution on the top layer of the skin to help reduce hyperpigmentation, bumpy texture, and scarring on the skin. Chemical peels can also be used to treat other skin conditions, such as uneven tone and rough or dull complexion.
Chemical peels generally respond differently to different kinds of skin and acne scars. Your treatment may be affected by a few factors. These factors include skin tone, skin type, the severity of scarring, and the disruption of other therapies.
- Laser Treatments
Another treatment you can opt for is laser treatment for scars, which is often recommended for severe cases of acne scars. Laser treatments can help reduce scars on the skin by focusing light on the topmost layer of the skin to break scar tissues. Furthermore, the treatment encourages new, healthy skin cells to grow and replace scar tissue.
One thing to note is that having a laser treatment doesn’t mean the scars will disappear completely. Laser treatments can only reduce the appearance of scars, warts, skin wrinkles, age spots, blemishes, and keloids. For long-lasting results, dermatologists may recommend more than one laser treatment session or to combine it with other procedures such as dermal fillers.
- Dermal Fillers
Considering the goal is to minimize the appearance of scars, dermal fillers can be an option you can explore. Injecting dermal fillers into the skin can help raise depressed acne scars and increase the production of collagen. But considering this treatment’s nature, consulting a professional doctor specializing in skin care is a must before you go through this procedure.
Dermal fillers, however, have the downside of temporary results that require repeated treatments to achieve optimum results. While some types of fillers are considered semi-permanent, they may need occasional touch-ups from your dermatologist.
- Microneedling
Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that involves pricking the skin with tiny, sterilized needles. This treatment can aid in stimulating the skin’s collagen production, which can help smoothen, tighten, and tone your skin in the process. This procedure can also help diminish the appearance of acne, scars, dark spots, and enlarged pores.
However, note that this procedure is not for everyone. Microneedling may not be ideal and safe for patients who have active acne, moderate to severe psoriasis or eczema, and are taking specific acne medication.
- Topical Treatments
You can go for topical treatments if a medical procedure is not an option. Topical treatments are creams, gels, or lotions that you can directly apply to your face to reduce the appearance of acne scars.
You can use products that contain Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and Beta-hydroxy acids (BHA) to even out your skin tone. They can help fade discoloration by exfoliating the skin. Essentially, with exfoliation, the dead skin is removed, which can improve your skin’s health.
The other topical treatment is retinoids. It is one of the main treatments for acne. It can help remove clogged pores, reduce inflammation, and promote skin turnover. Retinoids are also known to stimulate collagen production. As a result, they can help smooth out the skin and even out the color.
Wrapping It Up
Treating acne and acne scars is never an easy feat. However, various treatment options are available today to help you manage their appearance, allowing you to achieve that fresh and glowing skin. But as a general rule, it’s always best to consult your dermatologist, as they can best help you find the appropriate treatment for your skin.