If you have suffered from acne, you might have developed scars. Severe acne scars are often called pock marks, which look like dips and dents in the skin. These crater-like scars can leave you feeling bad about yourself and wanting to hide your face. As depressing as they can be, however, there are things you can do to remove pock scars.
Step 1
Consult a dermatologist about treating any remaining acne you may have. Even if you only get an occasional pimple, you'll want to get it under control before you attempt to remove pock scars. Failing to complete this step can leave you open to developing new pock scars in the future. Your doctor may prescribe strong benzoyl peroxide topical treatments or an oral drug such as Accutane.
Step 2
Use a prescription-strength tretinoin cream to soften your pock scars. If your pock scars are relatively new, a retinoid cream can help soften the edges of scars and lighten any pigmentation discrepancies that may have arisen during the formation of the scar. Apply the cream once per day after cleansing for several weeks to reduce your scars.
Step 3
Use a glycolic acid peel at home to remove pock scars. While at-home chemical peels can't penetrate deeply into the skin, they can reduce the appearance of your scars by softening their texture. Apply the peel to a clean face with clean fingers. Wash your hands immediately to remove the peel from them. Wait for up to five minutes or as long as the peel instructs before removing it with warm, soapy water.
Step 4
Request that fillers be used on your pock scars. If you have large scars that don't respond to creams and topical treatments, ask your dermatologist to use an injectable filler on them. These fillers consist of substances like collagen and fat that make the scar more even with the rest of your skin. Repeat these injections every few months to maintain the appearance that the scars have been removed.
Step 5
Undergo surgery to have your pock scars removed. During this surgery, a tool will punch out the scars from your skin. Then, the surrounding tissue will be stitched together to close the hole and to make it look as though there were never a scar there.
Things You'll Need
- Tretinoin cream
- Glycolic acid peel
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