Severe acne scars act as a long-lasting reminder of the acne that used to cover your skin and can be an embarrassment to those who bear them. Acne scars can appear in a variety of forms, according to AcneNet, from rolling scars that look like waves or ripples to icepick scars, which look like sharp punctures in the skin. To get rid of severe acne scars, you will need to dermatological treatment consistently in order to garner favorable results.
Step 1
Visit your dermatologist's office to figure out which acne scar treatment would be best for your scars and skin. The depth of the scars will play a major role in what treatments will work on you. Your dermatologist will advise you of the best path forward.
Step 2
Undergo tissue filler injections. Your dermatologist will inject a material in your acne scars to plump them up and fill in any depressed areas. Materials like fat and collagen are temporary, so the injections will need to be repeated every few months. The only permanent filler material is PMMA, or polymethylmethacrylate, which is a polymer material known to be compatible with human tissue.
Step 3
Perform a chemical peel at home or have it performed at your dermatologist's office. Chemical peels are made of acids like glycolic acid and lactic acid, or phenols, and penetrates the skin, causing the top layers to peel off. After cleansing your skin, you or your dermatologist will apply the acid using a cotton pad to the scarred area. After sitting for several minutes, a neutralizer is applied to stop the peel. Then the skin is cleansed again. Repeat this treatment once a week or according to package directions if at home; usually treatment in the doctor's office is performed once a month to soften the edges of scars.
Step 4
Buy a microdermabrasion kit and use it at home or undergo dermabrasion in your doctor's office. If performed at your dermatologist's office, your skin is first numbed, then a wire brush will be run over your scars to "sand" off the top layer of skin. Your skin will scab over and appear very irritated for several days following treatment.
Step 5
Undergo surgery to have deeper acne scars removed. Your dermatologist will numb the area then cut out the scar. If the scar was large, a skin graft will be placed on the spot. Otherwise, the surrounding tissue is stretched and stitched together.
Things You'll Need
- Chemical peel
- Microdermabrasion kit
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