Active acne breakouts are annoying, and the scars left behind after treatment can be even more frustrating. Before treating your acne scars, it is vital to know your type since each type responds to treatment differently. Fortunately, Dermatology Forest Hills offers several approaches that might improve the appearance of your skin. Your dermatologist may recommend one or a combination of the following treatments depending on your skin type, scar type, and severity of scarring.
Chemical peels
These are not the regular face masks you use in your skincare routine. A chemical peel uses a strong acid to remove your skin’s top layer to minimize the appearance of deeper scars. Chemical peels range from mild to moderate and deep; the one your dermatologist uses depends on the severity of your acne scarring. You will need follow-up sessions for mild and moderate chemical peels to achieve the desired result. But for a deep peel, one treatment is usually all you need. Chemical peels are an effective treatment for all types of acne but are often used for deeper scars.
Laser resurfacing
Laser resurfacing is an increasingly popular approach dermatologists use on scars initially treated with dermabrasion. Much like a chemical peel, laser resurfacing removes your epidermis; the newly grown skin is often smooth, with an improved tone and texture. Unlike other resurfacing treatments, this technique has a shorter downtime period. However, laser resurfacing may not be the best treatment for darker skin tones due or individuals with a history of keloids.
Soft tissue fillers
Healthcare professionals use fillers to plump the skin over indented scars, making the scars less noticeable. Your provider can inject collagen, fat, or other substances under your skin to smooth out depressed scars. Results are often temporary, lasting for about six and 18 months. As such, repeat treatments are necessary to retain the effect.
Microneedling
Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a needle-studded device to create micro-injuries on your face. The idea is to trigger your body’s healing response, which involves the production of more collagen. Besides the slight fear factor due to the use of needles, microneedling is a safe treatment for people of all skin tones. Although there are at-home microneedling devices, they tend to have shorter needles, meaning results may be less noticeable. Also, microneedling at home increases your risk of infection, especially if you don’t clean and sterilize the device before use. For this reason, you want to ensure that you get microneedling done by a board-certified dermatologist.
Injections
If you have raised scars, there are a few medications that your provider can inject into your scars to soften and flatten them. Examples include corticosteroids and chemotherapy drugs. Your dermatologist will administer the injections as a series, with one every few weeks.
Surgery
Removing a scar and replacing it with a new one may seem counterintuitive. However, the goal is to remove a noticeable scar and leave behind a small scar that will fade over time.
If you have acne scars, consult your dermatologist at Adult and Pediatric Dermatology to know the type of treatment that is appropriate for you.
