Acne scarring---red or brown marks on the surface of the skin, or indentations known as ice-pick scars---usually occurs as a result of severe acne breakouts that went untreated. Acne breakouts that include nodules (pus-filled cysts) are the most frequent culprits of causing acne scarring. If you have severe acne, it is important to make an appointment with a dermatologist to treat the skin condition and prevent scarring. If acne scarring does occur, you have a few options.
Step 1
Wait it out. Before seeking out treatment for acne scars, you can choose to leave the scars alone. It may take as long as 12 months, but acne scars can fade on their own.
Step 2
Treat existing acne. Before acne scars can be treated, existing acne must be gone. A topical treatment, such as benzoyl peroxide, may be used to get rid of active pimples.
Step 3
Make an appointment with a dermatologist. There are several office treatments that can be performed to treat acne scars. The dermatologist can go over the benefits and risks of each procedure.
Step 4
Consider microdermabrasion for less severe scarring. Microdermabrasion uses a sprayer to apply crystals to the top layers of the skin to remove them. You may need several treatments to make the acne scars completely fade away.
Step 5
Get a more invasive procedure to treat more serious acne scars. Dermabrasion and laser resurfacing can also be used on acne scars. During dermabrasion, a rotator wears down the top surfaces of the skin to reveal fresh and smooth layers. Laser resurfacing involves the use of a concentrated laser to kill the skin cells. These procedures cost more than microdermabrasion and can require a healing time of several weeks.
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