Having acne is bad enough but the scars it leaves behind can linger for much longer than the breakouts themselves.
Acne scars fall into two major categories:
1. Discoloration; usually red spots or hyperpigmentation. Both red spots and hyperpigmetation are the skins response to inflammation from the acne lesion.
2. Uneven texture of varying degrees; this can be a combination of raised areas and indentations, severe indentations are often called “ice pick scars”.
In this post, I will focus on treatment options for the second category of acne scars, the uneven texture left behind from severe breakouts.
First and foremost, establish a skincare routine to keep new breakouts under control before you spend time and money to treat acne scars.
For most scars, crystal microdermabrasion is a very effective treatment. The minimal downtime and affordable cost make it accessible however it is important to remember a series a treatments will be required.
Depending on the depth of the scars 6-12 sessions may be necessary to achieve the desired results. These treatments are be done weekly or bi-weekly.
Chemical peels, like Jessners Peel or TCA peel are also very effective for smoothing texture and lightening hyperpigmentation.
The most effective results I’ve had treating acne scars used a combination of crystal microdermabrasion and chemical peels done on a weekly or bi-weekly basis combined with the proper home care routine.
It’s important to be patient, clearing acne scars can take 6 months or longer, but the end result is worth it!