While most acne blemishes clear up on their own and leave behind newly replenished skin, some acne lesions heal improperly and leave behind unsightly scars. There is no one best treatment for acne scars, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). It's best to share your concerns with a dermatologist, discuss available treatment options and discuss the results you hope to achieve.
Types
There are two types of acne scars: raised and depressed, according to AcneNet. Raised scars are elevated above the surface of the surrounding skin and may contain tough, fibrous nodules of tissue known as keloids. Depressed scars are below the level of the surrounding tissue, leaving visible pits.
Reducing Raised Scars
If you have raised acne scars, your doctor may decide to do a chemical peel by applying a high-potency acid solution to strip away successive layers of scar tissue, according to Adult Acne. Another alternative is dermabrasion, a technique that uses an abrasive machine to remove layers of scar tissue, exposing the underlying layer of normal skin, according to AAD. Laser resurfacing with high-energy light sources to remove or remodel acne-scarred skin can effectively eliminate scar redness and flatten raised scars, according to AcneNet.
Treating Keloids
For very thick raised scars or keloids, your doctor might recommend injections of medications such as corticosteroids or the antiviral protein interferon, according to AcneNet. These injections into the scar tissue itself are meant to soften and flatten the scar tissue.
Elevating Depressed Scars
To raise depressed scars to the level of surrounding tissue, your dermatologist may inject fat tissue from another part of your body into the skin layer below the scar, a procedure known as an autologous fat transfer, according to Adult Acne. The doctor can also inject chemical fillers such as collagen, hyaluronic acid or polymethylmethacrylate underneath depressed scars to even out the contours of your skin, according to AcneNet.
Surgical Removal of Scars
More severe cases of acne scarring respond well to surgical techniques. Using a cookie cutter-like instrument, your doctor can perform a punch excision to remove a circle of scar tissue. She can then close the gap by pulling the surrounding tissue together or performing a skin graft, according to AcneNet. You may need to wear a pressure garment, undergo corticosteroid injections or have radiation treatments to ensure the new area of skin doesn't scar again.
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