- Aug 1
- 6 min read
The American Academy of Dermatology Association has evidence that acne affects up to 50 million people every year. Does this statistic startle you? Wait! There’s more. Acne affects 85% of people aged between 12 and 24 years.
Despite being a common phenomenon, acne often tends to leave some people with permanent visible scarring on their faces. Fortunately, it is possible to eradicate those blemishes. Were you about to ask how to get rid of acne scars? We heard you and will give you all the info you need.
What are Acne Scars
Acne lesions or pimples, as they are commonly called, can significantly hamper an individual’s self-esteem. The worst thing about acne is what it generally leaves behind – acne scars. An acne scar occurs once the skin heals from a pimple. Folks with moderate to severe acne may experience scarred skin more often than others. This doesn’t mean people with mild acne are spared. They can have an acne scar here or there, too.
During the healing process, the body responds just the way it does to any other skin wound – by producing collagen. If too much collagen forms in a small area of the face, raised acne scars may appear. These scars look like small pits in the skin formed from a loss of tissue in the area.
Types of Acne Scars
Acne scars can be of various types, including atrophic scars (or depressed scars) and raised scars (or hypertrophied scars). Here are a few types of acne scars that fall under the depressed or atrophic category.
Boxcar Scars: These manifest as wide indentations on the skin with sharp edges. Some boxcar scars are shallow, but others are deep. Shallow scars may respond better to acne treatment methods, such as laser.
Rolling Scars: These are wide indents, too, but they may have round, sloping edges. These sloping edges tend to make the skin uneven and wavy.
Icepick Scars: These are deep, V-shaped holes in the skin, closely resembling the scars formed after chicken pox. This type of scarring is the most difficult to treat because it extends the deepest into the skin.
Hypertrophic or raised acne scarring occurs when the skin produces excess collagen during the healing process. They resemble tiny bumps or skin tags and are most common on the chest, back, and shoulders.
Get Rid of Acne Blemishes
Acne scarring can take a massive toll on an individual’s self-confidence. Fortunately, there are multiple solutions to acne scars. Some of these solutions reduce them, while others remove them entirely. The type of treatment you need depends heavily on the type of scars you have. Here is a list of several acne scar treatments you can get at iGlow Spa & Aesthetics.
1. Laser Treatment
Laser skin resurfacing is a highly effective form of acne scar treatment, and it works equally well against fine lines, age spots, wrinkles, stretch marks, sun spots, chickenpox scars, etc. Laser resurfacing treatments can also be of several types, but one of the most popular types is CO2 laser skin resurfacing. It works by removing the upper layers of the skin with a CO2 ablative laser.
Laser treatment may work for all types of acne scars. Then again, your skin type is a crucial factor that dictates the efficacy of the treatment process. Laser skin resurfacing is unsuitable for darker skin tones as dark skin contains more melanin. As a result, it can absorb more laser energy than needed. Also, someone with deeper scars may need more than one session to achieve the best outcome. To explore how this treatment works in more detail, read our blog on the 7 Secrets of CO2 Laser Resurfacing.
2. Chemical Peels
The next acne scar removal option on the list is called a chemical peel. It’s a form of skin exfoliation where a dermatologist spreads a chemical solution on the skin, and later, the upper layer of dead and damaged skin peels off. Chemical peel kits are readily available at drugstores, but these products may not be effective enough to improve the appearance of deep scars.
Chemical peels are of three types: light, medium, and deep. As you can probably guess, the light peel is the least minimally invasive, targeting the epidermis or the very top layer. The deep peel, on the other hand, is the most invasive and can be slightly discomforting. The medium peel is a balance of the two.
3. Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers usually serve other purposes, but they can also help improve acne scars. The process involves injecting a substance, which can be collagen, the patient’s own fat cells, or a dermal filler, into the surrounding skin. The goal is to even out the skin texture surrounding depressed scars, making them less visible. Sadly, dermal fillers are not a permanent solution. You need to keep getting them every six months or a year.
If you have a small number of boxcar scars or rolling scars, dermal fillers would be perfect for you.
4. Microneedling
Finally, there is microneedling or collagen induction therapy. This type of skin treatment can reduce the appearance of scars, fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores, stretch marks, etc. Fundamentally, the treatment involves puncturing the skin several times with tiny needles. The minuscule wounds created by this needling trigger more collagen production, which can improve the appearance of scar tissue with time. It works best against atrophic or depressed scars.
Removing Acne Scars Naturally
If you think you are not quite ready for any of these acne scar treatment options at iGlow Spa & Aesthetics, you can try a few at-home natural remedies instead. Just remember that these alternatives will only diminish scars, not completely eradicate them. Additionally, these solutions may yield results for a small number of shallow scars, not a large number of deep scars.
1. Retinoids
Topical retinoids can smooth fine lines and wrinkles and generally improve skin texture by increasing collagen production. This means retinoids can potentially reduce the appearance of acne scars. Retinoids work only for atrophic scars, not hypertrophic scars.
2. Salicylic Acid
Skin products containing salicylic acid are possibly the best and most popular acne treatment options out there. Salicylic acid can remove dead skin cells, decrease inflammation, and cleanse clogged pores. The light exfoliation effect may be able to treat acne scars as well, particularly the shallow ones.
3. Alpha Hydroxy Acids
According to the FDA, alpha hydroxy acids, or AHAs, are OTC creams that can improve skin texture, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, and cleanse clogged pores. The most common AHAs are glycolic acid and lactic acid. These acids work by gently exfoliating the top layer of the skin, which can improve the appearance of both acne scars and lesions.
4. Sunscreen
Sunscreen does not remove acne scars, but it can prevent them from becoming noticeable over time. Extensive sun exposure tends to make acne scars appear darker than they are, making them more visible. Sun exposure also speeds up the natural aging process, which can make acne scarring more noticeable. By wearing sunscreen regularly, you will be doing your skin a huge favor.
The Bottom Line
So, how to get rid of acne scars? The best possible option is to prevent them from appearing, and to do that, you need to manage acne as best as you can. If you have constant active breakouts, you should definitely visit our office of iGlow Spa & Aesthetics. We can offer you the best acne scar treatment Tampa based on your skin type. Others with mild to moderate acne breakouts must clean their skin, keep it hydrated, and protect it from the sun.
As much as you may want to, you should avoid popping your pimples or picking at your skin. Popping them forcefully will damage the surrounding skin and clog more pores with oil, dirt, and sweat from your fingers.
FAQs
Q1. Can acne scars go away without treatment?
A1. Mild, shallow scars may fade over time, but deeper or raised scars usually need targeted treatment to show significant improvement or disappear entirely.
Q2. Are acne scars permanent?
A2. They can be permanent if left untreated. However, modern dermatological treatments—like laser resurfacing and microneedling—can dramatically reduce their appearance or eliminate them altogether.
Q3. Is it safe to treat acne scars at home?
A3. For mild scarring, yes—using retinoids, AHAs, or salicylic acid. But deep or extensive scarring should always be treated by a skincare professional for safe, effective results.
Q4. How long does it take to see results from acne scar treatments?
A4. This depends on the method. Topicals may take months, while professional treatments like lasers or microneedling can show visible results in a few sessions.
Q5. Can acne scar treatments worsen your skin?
A5. If done incorrectly—especially on sensitive or darker skin tones—some treatments may cause irritation, hyperpigmentation, or more scarring. Always consult a licensed skincare expert before starting.
