Will I Always Have These Acne Scars?

Acne is a prevalent skin condition, and it can be a nightmare to deal with. But even once the inflammation and redness have subsided, acne often leaves behind noticeable scars that can be difficult to eliminate. 

Scarring can come in a lot of different forms, and they all take time and patience to address; however, it’s important to note that it’s never too late to work on acne scar reduction. It is, however, best to wait until your acne breakouts have gone down significantly before you start treating any existing scars. 

Because acne scars can be stubborn, Ben W. Cilento, MD, MHA and our team at Butterfly MedSpa and Wellness want you to understand the full range of available acne scar reduction techniques, so you can narrow down which might work best for you.

At-home remedies for acne scars

There are various topical, over-the-counter (OTC) treatments that you can try on your own. However, this treatment route tends to work better on mild scarring, and typically doesn’t fade scars completely. It’s still a good place to start, though, so let’s take a look at a few.

Salicylic acid

This product is found in many acne treatment products and helps clear debris from your pores. Using a product that contains around 30% salicylic acid, three to four times per week, reduces swelling and discoloration that comes from acne scars. 

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs)

AHAs help speed up the rate at which your skin cells regenerate. They slowly scrape away the outer layer of skin off to reveal the new and healthy skin underneath, helping to reduce acne scar hyperpigmentation.

Retinoids

Topical retinoids also speed up cell generation, plus they also ease inflammation and reduce acne lesions. Retinoids are known for their ability to reduce skin hyperpigmentation due to scarring, too. However, these products can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so make sure to apply sunscreen daily to protect your skin barrier.

Medical treatments for acne scars

OTC acne scar treatments can be helpful if your scarring is mild or you need to hold off on more aggressive treatments due to ongoing breakouts. However, if you have scars that just haven’t faded over time as you’d like, we offer several highly effective medical-grade treatments that will leave your skin smooth and radiant. These include:

Laser skin resurfacing 

During laser skin resurfacing, Dr. Cilento uses radiofrequency energy from a laser along with tiny needles to remove the top layer of your skin. Although your skin will be red and swollen for about five days after the procedure, as the skin heals and collagen production increases, you’ll be left with a beautifully revitalized appearance. 

We recommend receiving multiple laser skin resurfacing sessions for optimal results.

Microneedling

Microneedling uses a small hand-held device to create tiny holes, or “microchannels” in the top layer of your skin. It’s also known as collagen-induction therapy because these tiny pricks trigger your skin’s healing and renewal processes. Your body creates more collagen to repair the small holes, thereby effectively minimizing the appearance of scars.

You’ll need several microneedling sessions, over the course of several months, to attain optimal skin-smoothing results. 

Start eliminating acne scars today

If you’re tired of acne scars having an impact on your self-confidence, Butterfly MedSpa and Wellness can help. Call or click online to schedule a visit at your nearest Houston-area office in Spring or The Woodlands, Texas, today.