The scars left behind by acne can be as troubling and unsightly as acne itself, long after the blemishes have healed and the breakouts have ceased.
Some are left with small red or brown splotches, known as hyper-pigmentation, while others have deep pockmark scars that concealer cannot seem to conceal.
However severe your scars, there are solutions available to rid you of the marks of acne for good.
EXFOLIATION All scars gradually fade over the years, but by exfoliating we can speed up the healing process.
Most acne-sufferers are familiar with exfoliation, due to its ability to help control breakouts by keeping the pores clear of any excess surface oil and debris.
Exfoliation is the act of either mechanically or chemically removing the top-most layer of dead skin to speed up the process of cell-renewal.
Intense mechanical or chemical exfoliation is proven to fade scars, and is particularly effective on hyper-pigmentation.
MECHANICAL EXFOLIATION Mechanical exfoliation uses an abrasive, such as scrubs with granules, brushes, loofas, or pumice stones, to manually slough off the top layer of dead skin using friction.
The most effective mechanical exfoliation for acne scars is called dermabrasion (derma=skin, abrasion=wearing away).
This is a more intense form of mechanical exfoliation.
Micro-dermabrasion is a machine administered mechanical exfoliation, performed by a professional, which combines the use suction and fine crystals to simultaneously clear the pores and resurface the skin.
Micro-dermabrasion has been shown to significantly reduce not only acne scarring, but acne breakouts, and fine lines and wrinkles as well.
Laser dermabrasion is also highly effective at removing scars, and even tattoos, but often requires local anesthetic due to its higher intensity and depth of penetration into the skin.
Additionally, laser dermabrasion can be more costly than micro-dermabrasion, and have a longer healing time.
Both procedures can produce such side effects such as redness, dryness, and sun sensitivity, but these are usually mild.
CHEMICAL EXFOLIATION Chemical exfoliants dissolve the top layer of dead skin chemically.
Common chemical exfoliants for acne and acne scarring are glycolic acid, salicylic acid, citric acid, and topical retinoid creams or gels.
Many of these chemicals can be found in small amounts in over the counter products for home use.
When these chemicals are highly concentrated, they penetrate even deeper and are more effective at removing scarring.
These are known as chemical peels, and are applied professionally by an esthetician, a dermatologist, or a plastic surgeon.
INJECTABLE FILLERS The latest cosmetic treatment for pockmarks is injectables.
Fat, collagen, and other fillers commonly used to fill in wrinkles, are now being used on pockmarks.
The look is effective, but the results are temporary.
Expect to go back every few months for new injections.
Some are left with small red or brown splotches, known as hyper-pigmentation, while others have deep pockmark scars that concealer cannot seem to conceal.
However severe your scars, there are solutions available to rid you of the marks of acne for good.
EXFOLIATION All scars gradually fade over the years, but by exfoliating we can speed up the healing process.
Most acne-sufferers are familiar with exfoliation, due to its ability to help control breakouts by keeping the pores clear of any excess surface oil and debris.
Exfoliation is the act of either mechanically or chemically removing the top-most layer of dead skin to speed up the process of cell-renewal.
Intense mechanical or chemical exfoliation is proven to fade scars, and is particularly effective on hyper-pigmentation.
MECHANICAL EXFOLIATION Mechanical exfoliation uses an abrasive, such as scrubs with granules, brushes, loofas, or pumice stones, to manually slough off the top layer of dead skin using friction.
The most effective mechanical exfoliation for acne scars is called dermabrasion (derma=skin, abrasion=wearing away).
This is a more intense form of mechanical exfoliation.
Micro-dermabrasion is a machine administered mechanical exfoliation, performed by a professional, which combines the use suction and fine crystals to simultaneously clear the pores and resurface the skin.
Micro-dermabrasion has been shown to significantly reduce not only acne scarring, but acne breakouts, and fine lines and wrinkles as well.
Laser dermabrasion is also highly effective at removing scars, and even tattoos, but often requires local anesthetic due to its higher intensity and depth of penetration into the skin.
Additionally, laser dermabrasion can be more costly than micro-dermabrasion, and have a longer healing time.
Both procedures can produce such side effects such as redness, dryness, and sun sensitivity, but these are usually mild.
CHEMICAL EXFOLIATION Chemical exfoliants dissolve the top layer of dead skin chemically.
Common chemical exfoliants for acne and acne scarring are glycolic acid, salicylic acid, citric acid, and topical retinoid creams or gels.
Many of these chemicals can be found in small amounts in over the counter products for home use.
When these chemicals are highly concentrated, they penetrate even deeper and are more effective at removing scarring.
These are known as chemical peels, and are applied professionally by an esthetician, a dermatologist, or a plastic surgeon.
INJECTABLE FILLERS The latest cosmetic treatment for pockmarks is injectables.
Fat, collagen, and other fillers commonly used to fill in wrinkles, are now being used on pockmarks.
The look is effective, but the results are temporary.
Expect to go back every few months for new injections.