The Best Ways To Get Rid Of Acne Scars On The Face

Acne in and of itself can be an embarrassing ailment, especially if it is a severe case. It's nice to have acne-free skin, but acne scars can act as a daily reminder of the acne that once was. Facial scars can result in keeping self-esteem low after an already long acne battle. Several treatments are recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology to help in the reduction and removal of acne facial scars.

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion is a procedure involving an electrical machine with wire brushes that rotate over your skin, removing the top three layers. This helps to provide a more even skin surface. The depth of the scar will determine if one or multiple treatments are required to completely remove the scar.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels work using the same philosophy as dermabrasion, only the top layers of skin are removed via the application of chemicals. There are varying degrees of chemical peels from very light to very deep, which can require up to two weeks downtime to heal. Chemical peels are typically used to treat lighter to medium forms of scarring rather than deep scars.

Tissue Fillers

A wide variety of fillers are available that are injected to lift shallow scar indents. Collagen and fat offer temporary solutions lasting anywhere between two and six months.

Laser Treatments

According to the Mayo Clinic, laser resurfacing destroys the top layer of skin, and heating the underlying layers, forcing new skin to form. A carbon dioxide laser, the oldest form of laser resurfacing, requires the longest recovery time, and any laser used for resurfacing can result in a reddening of the skin for an extended period as the skin heals. Pulse laser treatments can take longer to see results but are less damaging to the skin because they cool the top layer of skin as they heat the underlying layers.

Punch Grafts or Excisions

For very deep scars, surgical scar removal may be required. The scar can be removed via a punch technique in which "ice pick" acne scars are literally punched out of the skin using a hair-transplant type punch. The area where the scar was is then either covered with a skin graft or is stitched together for proper healing.