Permanent acne scars can add insult to injury. The worse your acne is, the more obvious your pimple scars are likely to be. Treating acne when it appears is the best way to reduce scarring, but if you're trying to get rid of old pimple scars, you're not completely out of luck. The American Academy of Dermatology advises that you consult a dermatologist who can help develop an individualized treatment plan based on your old pimple scars' complex characteristics.
Step 1
Ask your dermatologist about massage and pressure bandages. These treatments can help smooth out scars that have developed raised tissue, called hypertrophic scars, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. However, these methods typically need to be implemented for months before they cause visible results.
Step 2
Consult your doctor about using natural pimple scar treatments. Glycolic acid, for example, is a natural acid found in sugar cane and it may help reduce acne scars, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, glycolic acid can cause stinging, irritation and redness of the skin.
Step 3
Talk to your dermatologist about minor in-office procedures if you have mild scarring. She may recommend microdermabrasion or a chemical peel, both of which exfoliate the skin to slough off minor imperfections such as pimple scars, reports the Nemours Foundation.
Step 4
Undergo laser resurfacing treatments. This involves the use of a laser beam that destroys the outer skin layer and tightens the middle layer to reveal smoother skin, according to the Nemours Foundation. The doctor will numb your skin before performing the treatment in order to reduce pain, but you may experience mild discomfort after the treatment. Your skin won't completely heal for 3 to 10 days.
Step 5
Ask your dermatologist about tissue fillers. He might inject fat or collagen into deep scars to fill out or stretch your skin. However, tissue fillers are generally a temporary fix so you need to receive injections from time to time to maintain your appearance, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Step 6
Talk to your dermatologist about surgery for deep scarring. One common surgical procedure that should get rid of mild scarring and reduce the appearance of deep scarring is dermabrasion, which involves removing the top skin layer with a rapidly rotating abrasive brush, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Another possible surgical procedure for deep scarring is punch excision, which involves cutting out acne scars and repairing holes with skin grafts or stitches. Both procedures are invasive and require longer healing periods than the procedures that deal with more superficial scarring.
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