Acne is a skin condition caused by the excess production of sebum by the sebaceous glands. Sebum is a waxy material that can cause pustules to form when it blocks the pores in the skin. Acne scars may be healed with medication that's applied to the skin or taken orally. Additional treatments for acne scars include chemical peels, dermabrasion and laser resurfacing.
Step 1
Use topical treatments. Apply creams, gels or lotions directly to the skin to treat mild acne. The active ingredients in these products include antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide, retinoids and salicylic acid. These ingredients help minimize and reduce scarring.
Step 2
Take oral antibiotics. Your doctor can prescribe antibiotics to treat moderate to severe acne that covers a large area of skin.These drugs include azithromycin, doxycycline, erythromycin, minocycline, tetracycline, trimethoprim and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
Step 3
Consider a chemical peel. This treatment is most effective for mild acne scars and may be used at home. It contains a dilute solution of acid such as glycolic acid which you apply to your skin. It dissolves the dead skin cells on the surface of your skin which will be removed when you peel off the partially dried solution.
Step 4
Ask your dermatologist about dermabrasion. An experienced dermatologist uses a tool to remove the upper layers of skin, which removes acne scarring.
Step 5
Undergo laser resurfacing. This method uses heat to vaporize the upper and middle layers of skin. A carbon dioxide (CO2) laser is the oldest type of laser used for treating acne scars and its long-term effects are relatively well-understood. The newer yttrium, aluminum and garnet (YAG) lasers are absorbed more efficiently by the skin and require a shorter recovery period than the CO2 lasers.
Things You'll Need
- Acne cream
- Chemical peel
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