What Are Ways To Clear Acne Scars?

When acne clogs hair follicles, they collect bacteria and dirt that is eventually driven down into the skin. As professor Dr. Eric F. Bernstein of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine explains, this triggers an inflammatory defense that can cause scarring. There are numerous treatments today to clear depressed and raised acne scars. Dr. Lawrence E. Gibson from the Mayo Clinic explains that the best treatment varies for individuals, so discuss your options with a dermatologist.

Injections

A series of corticosteroid or interferon injections are used to soften and diminish raised acne scars, according to the American Academy of Dermatology's Skin Care Physicians site. Typically, two to six sessions are administered before other treatment options are explored. A series of filler injections such as collagen, hyaluronic acid or fat can treat depressed acne scars. Skin Care Physicians points out that this treatment usually clears acne scars for three to six months, or one to three years when your fat is used. PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) is a permanent filler sometimes used.

Scar Surgery

For raised scars, surgery is often the next treatment after injection, according to Skin Care Physicians. Surgery is generally followed with other therapies, like more injections, application of pressure or radiation treatment. For depressed scars, which Skin Care Physicians calls one of the most effective ways to clear the condition, skin or new scar tissue is used to fill the depressions.

Laser Therapy

Nonablative and fractional lasers can significantly reduce the prominence of both raised and depressed acne scars. The Patient's Guide explains that key advantages of this method are minimal pain and recovery time. In addition, little follow-up care is usually required. These advantages represent significant improvements over older, ablative lasers. Existing acne must first be fully treated prior to use of laser therapy.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy, or freezing of the scar tissue, may be used to clear the skin of raised acne scars. Freezing kills the tissue and causes it to fall off; this requires a few treatment sessions. Skin Care Physicians points out that the best results with this method usually come from coupling it with corticosteroid injections. Permanent lightening of the skin in treated areas is a common side effect of this treatment method.

Other Treatments for Depressed Acne Scars

Chemical peels involve the application of acid to the skin to remove superficial layers. Marred skin can be stripped, allowing new skin to grow back in its place. Microdermabrasion and dermabrasion, akin to sanding off layers of skin, has mostly been replaced by laser therapy in the treatment of depressed acne scars, explains Skin Care Physicians, but may still be used in some cases.