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How To Get Rid Of Acne Scars, According To The Experts

With many experiencing more breakouts in isolation, the concern around blemishes, and the marks they leave behind, has only grown. If you're wondering how to get rid of acne scars, trust that—while they can be frustratingly stubborn to treat—with time, dedication, and the right arsenal of products and treatments in your stable, you can effectively reduce their appearance.

A vital part of treating acne scars is first understanding what they are: small depressions or indentations in the skin that result from moderate to severe acne. Secondly, it's important to note that there are different types, which include ice pick, rolling, and boxcar scars depending on their size, shape, and contour. "Acne breakouts, depending on the severity, can affect not only the top layer of the skin but also the deeper levels as well," explains New York City dermatologist Shereene Idriss. "As the inflammation subsides and the skin tries to heal, scar tissue can ensue. Severely inflammatory acne, external factors such as picking, and delayed onset of treatment can all lead to scarring."

Acne scars must be distinguished from superficial acne marks, like brown or red spots. "While many of my patients use the terms scars and marks interchangeably, I do make a point of defining these two very different sequelae of acne," explains Andrew Alexis, M.D., MPH, and professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "Most notably, acne scars are permanent if not treated and are characterized by having an indentation or depression in the skin. Acne marks, on the other hand, do resolve eventually and are characterized by flat or smooth dark spots (hyperpigmentation) or persistent red spots (erythema) at the sites of a recent acne lesion." The easiest way to tell if you have an acne scar? "Close your eyes and run your fingers over your face or the acne affected area," Idriss advises. "If you feel textural changes, then you most likely have acne scars."

From prevention to the most effective at-home and cutting-edge in-office treatments, here the pros weigh in on how to get rid of acne scars and marks.

Begin With Prevention

"Start with controlling and treating the acne first—otherwise, you may just be chasing more scars," says dermatologist Naissan O. Wesley, M.D., FACMS, adding that some acne treatments will help improve the appearance of acne scars in and of themselves. "Once the acne is under control and there is not much new acne formation, then it would be appropriate to undergo additional acne scar treatments if needed to treat any scars still present." In terms of the best products to treat moderate to severe acne, such as red bumps, pus bumps, and +/- cystic lesions beneath the skin, Alexis recommends following an acne regimen prescribed by a dermatologist. For an over-the-counter treatment, Wesley recommends a soothing daily acne treatment. "They contain salicylic acid and willow bark extract in a pad form to help reduce acne inflammation and gently exfoliate the skin surface to heal acne and acne marks faster," she explains, "as well as prebiotics, polysaccharides, calendula, and sage to help heal and maintain the skin's moisture barrier."

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Target Discoloration

"When thinking of how to treat acne scars, I always encourage my patients to address the discoloration within the scars first," explains Shereene Idriss. "It is amazing that when you even out the color of the scar, oftentimes the textual changes do not bother my patients as much as they think they would." Needless to say, acne has different effects on different skin tones, which is helpful to keep in mind when identifying and addressing acne marks and scars. "Lighter-color skin tones or skin that sunburns more easily will often produce red marks after acne, whereas darker-color skin tones or skin that tans more easily will often produce brown marks after acne," explains Wesley.

One of the most robust topical treatments for fading discoloration is a vitamin C serum, which is packed with antioxidants and protects the skin from harmful free radicals caused by sun exposure while brightening it to reduce the appearance of dark spots. Additionally, when carefully and slowly incorporated into your skin-care regimen, retinol—a derivative of vitamin A, which is one of the body's key nutrients for boosting cell turnover and stimulating collagen production—can help treat discoloration, as can retinol alternatives. Another at-home strategy is doing regular mild peels infused with acids such as lactic, glycolic, and trichloroacetic, which gently exfoliate to reveal smoother and more even skin.

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Try In-Office Treatments

The unfortunate truth is that once an acne blemish has scarred, it's permanent, but in tandem with topicals, professional in-office treatments with lasers will offer maximum results in improving its appearance. "Lasers can be very effective in helping improve acne, acne marks, and acne scars," explains Wesley. She adds that photodynamic therapy (light therapy) can be used to decrease inflammation of active acne, while vascular lasers and broadband light treatments, such as pulsed dye laser or IPL (intense pulse light), can be used to improve post-inflammatory pigmentation. Most significantly, non-ablative and ablative resurfacing lasers are some of our best treatments for treating acne scars, particularly those that are indented. For rarer hypertrophic or keloid scars from acne, dermatologists will often use the vascular lasers or resurfacing lasers combined with topical cortisone or intralesional cortisone injections (meaning injecting directly into the scar) to improve the scar appearance.

In addition to lasers, Wesley says other in-office treatments, like medical-grade chemical peels and microneedling (especially combined with PRP, which stands for platelet-rich plasma), can help diminish acne marks and scars. What's important to note across the board is that patience is key, no matter what kind of acne abrasion you're seeking to treat. This holds particularly true in the case of scars, where timing and results are contingent on the nature of the scar itself and the types of treatments chosen to treat it. That being said, from at-home topical treatments to medical treatments at the dermatologist's office, there has never been more promising technology. "Acne scarring can be disfiguring, and I feel fortunate that we can do so much now to help patients treat acne scarring, hopefully making them look and feel just as beautiful on the outside as they are and feel inside," says Wesley.

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Top 10 Home Remedies For Face Pimples And Marks

How to remove pimples on your face overnight?

24 Apr, 2023

Tavishi Dogra

Avocado Oil

The magical ingredient has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help minimise a pimple or acne-related redness and swelling.

Source: Thehealthsite Cucumber ice-cubes

Grate cucumber or make a paste by grinding it in a grinder. After this, please keep it in the freezer to make ice cubes.

Source: Thehealthsite Honey

Honey is considered magical as it has antimicrobial and calming properties aiding in relieving acne blemishes.

Source: Thehealthsite Egg-white

Protein and amino acids are found in abundance in eggs, which work to remove blemishes and heal the skin.

Source: Thehealthsite Aloe Vera

Aloe vera contains antiseptic activity that can aid in managing and reducing acne-causing bacteria.

Source: Thehealthsite balm

After every 4 hours, clean the pimple with rose water, and apply the balm to disappear the pain.

Source: Thehealthsite ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar)

Apple cider vinegar is high in amino acids and numerous vitamin, enzyme, and mineral salts.

Source: Thehealthsite toothpaste

You can use toothpaste to dry the pimples on your skin and prevent it from growing.

Source: Thehealthsite Lemon

Lemons encompass alpha hydroxy acid, which benefits the skin.

Source: Thehealthsite Neem

It works well for severely oily skin, blackheads, and acne.

Source: Thehealthsite

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How To Best Treat Acne Scars

Scars are formed when a breakout penetrates the skin deeply and damages the tissues beneath it.

Before you try to treat your scars, it's important to know what type they are. Each type responds to treatment differently, and some treatments are better for particular types than others.

Additionally, your skin tone can also be a factor. For example, for darker skin types, deeper skin laser treatments will not be recommended due to higher chances of scarring and pigmentation.

Most darker skin tones will be pretreated with 4 percent hydroquinone (bleaching cream) prior to treatments like microneedling, peels, and lasers.

Atrophic scars are most common on the face. A depressed scar sits below the surrounding skin. They're formed when not enough collagen is made while the wound is healing. There are three types of atrophic scars:

Boxcar

These are wide, U-shaped scars that have sharp edges. They can be shallow or deep. The shallower they are, the better they respond to skin resurfacing treatments. Microdermabrasion and gentle peels are great for almost all skin types.

But laser resurfacing has to be done cautiously because more scarring and pigmentary changes in darker skin tones, like post-inflammatory pigmentation. It's best to pretreat darker skin types with a 4 percent hydroquinone for at least 4-6 weeks prior to starting these treatments.

Ice pick

Ice pick scars are narrow, V-shaped scars that can go deep into the skin. They can look like small round or oval holes, like a chickenpox scar. These are the most difficult scars to treat because they can extend far under the surface of the skin.

Rolling

These are wide depressions that typically have rounded edges and an irregular, rolling appearance.

These scars are most common with chest and back acne. They stand above the surface of the surrounding skin and are caused by too much collagen during healing.

Discoloration left behind after a zit has cleared isn't a scar. The purple, red, or brown marks will fade over a few months on their own.

Before you start any treatment for acne scars, it's important to be seen by a dermatologist or a healthcare professional. They can help you determine the best method to reduce the appearance of your scars and also make sure that the marks on your skin are actually scars and not another condition.

Alpha hydroxy acids

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are often found in products made to treat acne since they help to remove dead skin and prevent clogged pores. Even better, AHAs can also help make acne scars appear less noticeable.

The mild acid exfoliates the outer layer of the skin to help remove discoloration and rough skin.

Best for: all types of acne scars

Lactic acid

A small 2010 study found that dermatologist-performed lactic acid peels done once every 2 weeks for 3 months improved the texture, appearance, and pigmentation of the skin and lightened acne scars.

There are countless peels, serums, and ointments with lactic acid, but you can also use diluted apple cider vinegar as a toner or spot treatment thanks to its natural lactic acid. But apple cider, as well as other at-home treatments, are potentially harsh on sensitive skin. They should always be tested to a small area of the skin before starting treatment with the product.

If the skin is sensitive and the product is applied, there's potential for inflammation and irritation, which can lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Best for: all types of acne scars

Retinoids

Topical retinoids are another acne treatment with scar-smoothing benefits. In addition to speeding up your cell regeneration and improving your skin's texture, retinoids can also help reduce discoloration and make scars less noticeable, according to a 2017 review.

But they can also make your skin especially sensitive to the sun. Always wear sunscreen daily when using anything that contains retinoids.

You can find creams and serums with retinoids over the counter, but a healthcare professional can also prescribe you higher concentrations. Look for products that list retinol as one of the active ingredients.

Best for: atrophic or depressed scars

Salicylic acid

Chances are high that you've already used salicylic acid to treat your acne in the past. From pads to spot treatments and lotions to face cleansers, it's in just about every kind of acne treatment these days.

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.

It might take a few weeks to see a difference when using salicylic acid. It can also cause dryness or irritation. You may need to use the product less often or try spot treating if you have sensitive skin.

Best for: all acne scars

Sunscreen

Yes, really. It's vital to wear sunscreen every day over scars. Sun exposure can darken scars making them more noticeable.

If at-home treatments don't seem to be making a difference, a skin care specialist or healthcare professional can help with your treatments.

Best for: all acne scars

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion is one of the most effective and common treatments for facial scars. While it uses the same general principle as the microdermabrasion kits you can do at home, healthcare professionals use tools to more deeply exfoliate the top layer of the skin.

Best for: scars close to the surface like shallow boxcar or rolling scars. But deeper scars may also become less noticeable

Chemical peels

These aren't the kind of face masks that you wear during a Netflix marathon. A chemical peel is a strong acid that's used to remove the top layer of the skin to reduce deeper scars.

Some chemical peels are mild enough to be used at home, but a healthcare professional can provide a stronger solution with more dramatic results.

There are many different types of chemical peels, so it's best to talk with a healthcare professional about which one is right for you.

Best for: all types of acne scars, often used for deeper scars

Laser resurfacing

Much like a chemical peel and dermabrasion, laser resurfacing removes the top layer of the skin. This treatment typically has a faster healing time than other resurfacing treatments.

But you have to keep the area covered with a bandage until it's completely healed. This treatment is also not a good option for anyone who's still getting breakouts, and it's not as effective on darker skin tones.

Best for: all acne scars and lighter skin tones

Fillers

Healthcare professionals use fillers to fill in acne scars and help even out the skin. The fillers can be made with collagen, your own fat, or a commercial filler. They're injected under the surface of the skin to help plump up and smooth out depressed scars.

Most fillers last between 6 and 18 months before they need to be redone, but some are permanent.

Best for: someone with a small number of boxcar or rolling scars

Microneedling

This newer treatment uses a small, handheld, needle-studded roller or a handheld "pen" on the surface of the scars. The needles puncture the numbed skin — but don't go through it like a shot! As the skin heals, it makes collagen.

There's evidence to suggest that microneedling helps reduce the depth of acne scars. Still, this treatment can take up to 9 months to see changes, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Outside of the slight fear factor, it's a safe treatment that works for all skin tones.

Best for: depressed acne scars

Injections

There are a few different medications that can be injected into raised scars to help soften and flatten them, including corticosteroids and chemotherapy drugs fluorouracil (5-FU) and interferons. The injections are usually performed as a series, with one every few weeks.

Best for: raised scars

At first brush, it might seem crazy to remove a scar and potentially replace it with a new one, but dermatologists or plastic surgeons can remove a very noticeable scar and leave behind a small scar that will fade with time.

A healthcare professional can also lift the scar by loosening the fibers beneath it to help bring it closer to the surface, so it's less noticeable. This procedure is called subcision.

Best for: deep, depressed scars and raised scars

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