According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 85 percent of teenagers in the U.S. experience acne each year. Sadly for some, the signs of this common skin condition can last well into their adult years in the form of acne, or zit, scarring. According to Acne.org, zit scars can be indentations such as ice pick, boxcar or rolling scars, named for the shapes they form, or raised hypertrophic scars known as keloids. There are a number of both home and clinical treatments available for zit scarring.
Step 1
Use an over-the-counter glycolic acid chemical peel for mild zit scars. Apply the acid peel to a gauze pad and then on the scars and leave for 10 minutes before rinsing off. Glycolic acid is derived from citrus fruits. It is a mild acid that will help burn away the surface layer of skin, removing light superficial scars.
Step 2
Speak with your doctor about clinical-grade chemical peels. A specialist will apply the acid to the zit scars. This will burn away the upper layers of skin, removing shallow scarring and helping promote the growth of new, less-blemished skin in the lower layers. These chemical peels come in a range of strengths, with the stronger peels burning deeper to combat more severe scarring.
Step 3
Speak with a dermatologist about microdermabrasion techniques. This involves sandblasting the skin with a fine mist of crystals at high pressure. It erodes only the upper most layers of skin and scarring. Acne.org notes that its ability to remove scarring is the equivalent to the mildest chemical peels.
Step 4
Schedule an appointment for dermabrasion. With the use of a wire brush which rotates at speed, the specialist will take off the epidermal layers of skin, removing superficial zit scarring and helping inspire collagen production in the lower dermal layers to form new skin.
Step 5
Consider punch techniques with your surgeon. Often reserved for the most stubborn of zit scarring, this involves cutting the scar tissue from the site and either reapplying it at an elevated level, in the case of indented scars, to create a smooth even surface, or replacing it with a skin graft taken from elsewhere on the body.
Tips and Warnings
- Consult your doctor before using a gycolic acid chemical peel. Test it on a small area of skin, not on the face, before use. According to Acne.org, microdermabrasion is not a serious treatment for acne scarring and often just improves skin texture. It can be administered by beauticians in health spas. Dermabrasion is often scheduled several weeks after a punch technique surgery to help smooth out the surfaces.
- Zit scars are difficult to remove, according to the Mayo Clinic, and often a series of treatments and techniques must be applied to achieve optimum results. Chemical peels and dermabrasion effectively wound the skin. Therefore, expect soreness, scabbing, swelling and bruising for at least several days. Expect similar from the surgical procedures.
Things You'll Need
- Glycolic acid peel
- Gauze pads
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