According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the best treatment for acne scars is individualized to the person. Not everyone responds the same way to the same methods, so it is often necessary to consult with a dermatologist to decide which treatment is best for you. However, there are a number of treatments that have shown positive results on both acne scars and discoloration. Some are far less costly than others, but still improve the appearance of your skin.
Fillers
The Mayo Clinic recommends soft tissue fillers to even out sunken acne scars. Collagen and fat are two of the more common fillers used to reduce the signs of acne scarring, but your dermatologist may instead use hyaluronic acid or poly-L-lactic acid to fill in these skin imperfections. Regardless of the type of filler, the substance is injected under the acne scar to smooth out the skin. Follow-up treatments are often necessary since fillers dissipate over time.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a form of skin rejuvenation that is probably more effective on skin discolorations than acne scars. It's a noninvasive procedure that removes only a portion of the top layer of your skin, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. This can help to improve skin discoloration, but may only improve the appearance of acne scars slightly. Recovery time is fairly quick since no wound is left after the procedure.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is a form of skin resurfacing. Both acne scars and discolorations can respond favorably to this surgical procedure where the top layer of your skin is essentially sanded away. The American Academy of Dermatology indicates that a rotary abrasive is guided along areas of the skin affected by scars or skin discoloration, leaving a slight wound. As the wound heals, healthy skin replaces scar tissue or any staining left from acne, improving the appearance of your skin.
Chemical Peel
The American Academy of Dermatology also recommends using a chemical peel to improve the appearance of acne scars. It may also help to improve skin discoloration left by acne. Chemical peels work under the same basic principles as dermabrasion. The top layer of the skin is removed, this time with a chemical or acid, leaving a wound. When the wound heals, healthy skin replaces staining and scarring. It may not be as effective on sunken scars, so a soft tissue filler may be needed to smooth out the skin after the procedure.
Laser or Light Therapy
With each passing year, advancements are made in both laser and light therapy, bringing about various types of lasers and light emitting devices that improve the appearance of acne scars and discoloration. These devices not only help to resurface the top layer of the skin, but they also stimulate the production of collagen, according to the Mayo Clinic. These two effects improve the color and tone of the skin while filling in sunken or puckered scars.
Grafts
Grafts are a surgical procedure where donor skin replaces scar tissue. Acne scars are first removed from the skin and then replaced with healthy, blemish-free skin. This type of procedure is a bit more invasive than other procedure, but can often leave the skin scar-free.
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