Acne (acne vulgaris) is a skin condition characterized by inflamed papules. It occurs when the sebaceous glands in the skin produce too much sebum, an oily substance that can block the pores. Severe cases of acne can produce deep scars that may require medical treatment to remove. Common methods of treating acne scars include chemical peels, dermabrasion and laser resurfacing.
Step 1
Perform a chemical peel. Apply a solution of glycolic acid to the scarred area and allow it to dry according to the instructions, usually about 15 minutes. Peel the acid solution from the skin. The skin will typically be red and swollen for a few days after a chemical peel. Chemical peels will only be effective for the lightest acne scars, as this treatment removes only the top layer of skin.
Step 2
Get a dermabrasion treatment. The dermatologist will sedate you and use a local anesthetic or cold to numb your skin. The dermatologist will then use a tool with a diamond tip that rotates quickly to remove the upper layers of skin. You'll need to change the dressing every day after the dermabrasion until your skin scabs over. A dermabrasion is effective on more severe acne scars than chemical peels because dermabrasion removes much deeper layers of skin. Dermabrasion is most effective if your skin is very dark or very light.
Step 3
Consider laser resurfacing. This technique uses lasers to remove the upper layers of skin. The laser produces light with a wavelength that's easily absorbed by the upper and middle layers of skin. The most common lasers for skin resurfacing are carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers and eribium, yttrium, aluminum and garnet (Er:YAG) lasers. A CO2 laser is an older technology and requires a longer recovery time. Skin absorbs the light produced by a YAG laser more efficiently by the skin but studies on the long-term effects of YAG lasers aren't yet common.
Things You'll Need
- Home chemical peel
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