There are three types of atrophic scars:. These are wide, U-shaped scars that have sharp edges. They can be shallow or deep. The shallower they are, the better they respond to skin resurfacing treatments. Ice pick scars are narrow, V-shaped scars that can go deep into the skin. They can look like small round or oval holes, like a chickenpox scar.
These are the most difficult scars to treat because they can extend far under the surface of the skin. These are wide depressions that typically have rounded edges and an irregular, rolling appearance. These scars are most common with chest and back acne. They stand above the surface of the surrounding skin and are caused by too much collagen during healing. The purple, red, or brown marks will fade over a few months on their own. They can help you determine the best method to reduce the appearance of your scars and also make sure that the marks on your skin are actually scars and not another condition.
Alpha hydroxy acids AHAs are often found in products made to treat acne since they help to remove dead skin and prevent clogged pores. Even better, AHAs can also help make acne scars appear less noticeable.
The mild acid exfoliates the outer layer of the skin to help remove discoloration and rough skin. Shop for: Products containing alpha hydroxy acids. A small study found that dermatologist-performed lactic acid peels done once every two weeks for three months improved the texture, appearance, and pigmentation of the skin and lightened acne scars. There are countless peels , serums, and ointments with lactic acid, but you can also use diluted apple cider vinegar as a toner or spot treatment thanks to its natural lactic acid.
Shop for: Products containing lactic acid. Topical retinoids are another acne treatment with scar-smoothing benefits. However, they can also make your skin especially sensitive to the sun. Always wear sunscreen daily when using anything that contains retinoids. Request Appointment. Acne scars: What's the best treatment? Products and services. What's the best treatment for acne scars? Answer From Lawrence E. With Lawrence E.
Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references AskMayoExpert. Soft tissue fillers and other injectables adult. Mayo Clinic; Laser resurfacing adult.
Avram MR, et al. Acne scarring. In: Procedural Dermatology. One thing you shouldn't do to deal with acne scars is load up your face with masks or fancy lotions — these won't help and may irritate your skin further, making the scars red and even more noticeable. If you have a red or brownish mark on your face that you got from a bad zit, it should eventually fade.
However, it may take 12 months or longer. If you're upset about acne marks, talk to your doctor, who might have advice on what you can do. Reviewed by: Patrice Hyde, MD. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. Different Types of Acne Scars from acne can seem like double punishment — first you had to deal with the pimples, now you have marks as a reminder.
Acne comes in different forms: mild acne: this causes the whiteheads or blackheads that most of us get at some point moderate acne: this can cause red, inflamed pimples called papules and red pimples with white centers called pustules severe acne: this causes painful, pus-filled cysts or lumps called nodules under the skin Most serious scarring is caused by the more severe forms of acne, with nodules more likely to leave permanent scars than other types of acne.
Treating Acne Scars Most of the time, those reddish or brownish acne marks that are left behind after pimples clear up will fade with no need for treatment.
A dermatologist can do these injections in their office once every few weeks, monitoring the results. In some cases, dermatologists may recommend using soft tissue fillers to reduce the appearance of scars. Dermatologists may choose a filler that consists of a collagen-based product, which may require allergy testing. Alternatively, removing fat from another part of the body to use may be an option.
Dermal fillers work best for atrophic scars, but many are temporary. Treatment typically lasts between 6 and 18 months. Microneedling is the process of inserting tiny needles into the skin surrounding the scar to stimulate the body to make more collagen. This collagen may reduce the appearance of acne scars by smoothing out the skin. In a review, microneedling provided an improvement of 31 to 62 percent in the appearance of acne scars. However, microneedling can cause side effects. Many people experience redness, pain, and inflammation after the treatment, but these effects subside over time.
Laser treatment resurfaces the skin without the use of chemicals or scrubs. It removes the uppermost layer of skin to reveal the younger skin cells underneath, which can help reduce the appearance of scarring. Laser treatment is not suitable for everyone, however, as its success is mostly dependent on the acne scarring that a person has and their skin type. The treatment may also cause a reaction in some people, especially those with sensitive skin.
Suitable treatment options may vary slightly depending on the type of scarring that acne has caused. There are three types of acne scars:.
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