Acne is a common skin condition that will most commonly result from the plugging of your hair follicles by dead skin cells and oils. Mild acne scar cases can always go away without treatment, but you may need treatments to get rid of permanent acne scars that result from extreme skin damage.



In such cases, an acne scar treatment may be recommended so that you or your loved one can also live a natural everyday life. Effective treatments are available, but the specific acne scars treatment that your dermatologist may recommend may be influenced by your medical history, treatment preferences, or the type of acne scars that you're dealing with.

How to Remove Acne Scars Permanently
Your likelihood of developing acne scars increases if you get a severe form of acne with nodules. Therefore, if you get recurrent acne with nodules, it would help if you see your dermatologist for treatment to prevent more severe acne and scarring.

There are two types of acne scars you may need treatment with; depressed acne scars and the raised acne scars. Before recommending a treatment, your dermatologist will have to assess your acne scar's severity to get the best treatment for your condition. 

For instance, if you have milder acne scars, your skin doctor may recommend microdermabrasion or chemical peels. In microdermabrasion acne scar treatments, dermatologists use specialized applicators designed with an abrasive surface for sanding away the skin's outer layer to clear the acne scars and rejuvenate your skin.

Alternatively, they may also spray fine sodium bicarbonate or aluminum oxide on your skin with suction/vacuum to diminish acne scars' appearance on your skin. If chemical peels are recommended for your acne scar treatment, the dermatologist will need to use a strong acid that will be applied on your skin to remove its top layer and diminish the acne scars appearance.

For severe acne scar cases, here are some of the most effective acne scar treatments that may be ideal for you;

Laser Resurfacing
Just as the name suggests, laser resurfacing involves the use of laser energy to reduce the appearance of your acne scars. Most patients prefer laser for acne scar removal because of this procedure's speed and efficiency in diminishing acne scars.
Laser resurfacing for an acne scar treatment can only be done in your dermatologist or doctor's office or clinic. It works by removing the damaged external skin layer and tightening the middle layer to leave your skin looking not only smooth but also clear of stubborn acne scars.

Depending on your acne scars' severity or size, laser resurfacing acne scar treatment may take between thirty minutes and one hour to clear your acne scars. You may need multiple sessions to fully diminish your acne scars appearance and get the smooth skin appearance you crave.

Laser acne scar treatment isn't necessarily painful.  Your skin doctor will treat your skin with local anesthesia to minimize potential discomfort.

Fractional Laser Therapy
This acne scar treatment is designed to stimulate skin tissues beneath your scar to remove darkly pigmented cells beneath your skin's top layer. Your dermatologist may recommend it if you prefer a significantly shorter recovery period and dealing with icepick or boxcar scars. 

After your acne scar treatment with fractional laser therapy, you may notice the treated area appearing like sunburnt. This aftereffect will resolve within a few days following this treatment.

Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion involves the use of a special rotating device to remove your skin's outer layers. It can help improve your skin's appearance if it was impacted by acne scarring.

For this acne scar treatment, your dermatologist will use anesthetic medication to numb your skin. Alternatively, they may give you sedative treatment or even general anesthesia upon request.

Before the treatment, you will need to acknowledge that your skin will be blotch and be more sensitive for several weeks following your treatment. You may need to wait for around 90 days after dermabrasion for your acne scars to clear and your skin tone to get back to normal.

How do I stop Acne Scarring?
Dealing with acne scars can be stressful. Therefore, if you're prone to acne scarring, your best bet would be to prevent acne scarring after treating the initial scars. Here are a few tips that can help you stop acne scarring.

Get your Acne Treated immediately it develops
If you tend to get recurrent acne, you may need to have your condition assessed as it may be a sign of a hidden ill-health condition, for example, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) which is a hormonal disorder heavily linked with acne. To prevent scarring, the most important thing you'd need to do is to begin treatments right away.

If the acne isn't improving with the Over the Counter (OTC) acne treatments, it is recommendable that you see your skin doctor for treatment. Immediate treatments when acne develops will help keep them to a minimum. It will also prevent the acne from developing to a more severe form that would cause scarring.

Do Not Pick at, Squeeze or Pop your Pimples
It can be really tempting to squeeze or pick at pimples. This isn't recommendable, especially if you have been treated with ace scars in the past.

By squeezing, popping, or picking at your blemishes, especially the deep serious ones like cysts and nodules; you may accidentally squeeze debris into your dermis. This cannot only spread the infection to nearby tissues but also worsen your inflammation. 

This implies that you will have to settle for a longer healing time and possibly a permanent scar which will require personalized treatment to clear from your skin. It would also help if you avoid picking at scabs as well.

If You're Prone to Scarring, Seek your Dermatologist's Advice
Some people are at more risk of scarring than others. Therefore, it is prudent that you determine if you're prone to scarring. If you suspect that you're at higher risks of scarring, consult with your dermatologists to determine the best acne treatments for you.

Take Away
It is possible to diminish the presence of acne scars completely. If you have stubborn acne scars, it would help if you schedule a consultation with an experienced dermatologist for your treatment. Give us a call now to schedule your consultation.