Almost every teen and young adult winds up getting acne; the American Academy of Dermatology estimates that acne affects up to 50 million people each year, generally those between the ages of 11 and 21. Although most mild cases of acne do not cause scars to form, moderate and severe acne can lead to scarring. The AAD says that more than 40 percent of teenagers have acne scars by the time they're 15 years old. Acne scars are treatable, though, and dermatologists offer several different options for treatment, depending on the type and number of scars.
Significance
People with acne scars often have self-esteem issues, and according to the AAD, these are the people who should seek treatment. The AAD urges those with acne scars to ask themselves whether they believe their scars impact their quality of life, or whether they pose a problem either socially or professionally. If you feel your scars impact your life negatively, you should consult with a dermatologist to see what treatments might help, the AAD says.
Function
Over-the-counter acne scar treatments might help some, especially in mild scarring cases, the AAD says. The most effective over-the-counter treatments generally include the active ingredients vitamin C, glycolic acid and retinol. These creams or gels potentially can reduce the appearance of depressed acne scars somewhat, and also might help diminish raised acne scars. But most acne scar sufferers will need help from a dermatologist.
Medications
A dermatologist chooses acne scar treatments based on the type of scar involved in each particular case, according to the AAD. For example, if the scarring mainly involves skin discolorations left behind once the pimples cleared up, the dermatologist likely will prescribe a hydroquinone-based bleaching cream, which will fade purple, red, or pink spots. If the scarring involves painful raised scars called keloids, the dermatologist may prescribe tretinoin cream or gel, used to smooth the skin, or may inject the raised scars with corticosteroids.
Physical Procedures
In the case of depressed acne scars, the most common type of scar, dermatologists often choose from an array of physical procedures, including surgery and laser treatment. In acne scar surgery, a dermatologist uses a punch to remove the depressed scar, and then grafts in replacement skin taken from elsewhere on the body. Laser treatment helps to stimulate the skin to repair itself, making depressed scars far less noticeable in the process.
Considerations
Acne scars can be exceptionally stubborn to treat, according to the Mayo Clinic, and dermatologists often will use several different methods, either together or one after the other, to get the best results. In addition, effective treatment can take several months or even longer. Patients who go through the process generally say they are satisfied with the results from their acne scar treatment.
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