How To Get Rid of Acne Scars

Here’s everything you need to know about how to get rid of acne scars

How To Get Rid of Acne Scars

Learn more about what causes acne scars, the best acne scar treatments, how to get rid of acne scars, and how to prevent acne scars in the future.

Going through acne is frustrating at the best of times, but even after a spot has finally gone, they can sometimes leave red acne scars on your skin. But don’t worry, we’ve got some top tips to help you find the best acne scar treatment for you.

WHAT ARE ACNE SCARS?

Acne scarring can depend on a few factors. If a pimple was infected or squeezed, it can often cause scarring. But they usually develop as a result of severe acne..

There are normally 3 types of acne scars to look out for:

• Ice pick scars – these look like small, deep holes on your skin
• Rolling scars – these are raised, wide scars, which can make your skin look uneven, and are mainly caused by scar tissue formed under the skin
• Boxcar scars – these are the most common acne scar and are round, deep scars which are wider than ice pick scars

Treatment for these different types of scars can depend on your skin type. It’s hard to know whether you have sensitive, combination or oily skin, but our quick online skincare analysis can help you find the an acne scar cream and – ultimately – the best acne scar treatment routine for your skin type. And if you’re in any doubt about what to do, we always suggest seeking advice from a qualified professional, such as a GP or dermatologist.

What are the best acne scar treatments?

Scars, in general, can be a pain to get rid of – and, unfortunately, that applies to getting rid of red acne scars too. Some acne scars fade over time, losing their colour around 3-6 months after they’re formed. But there are some acne scar treatments available to help speed up that fading process, from medical options to at-home remedies. Read on for more details.

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NIVEA Cellular Luminous630 Anti Dark-Spot Face Treatment Serum and NIVEA Cellular Luminous630 Anti Dark-Spot Day Moisturiser SPF50 work in tandem, day and night, to help you reduce acne scarring. They also help prevent dark spots too. Who needs one acne scar cream when you can develop an entire acne scar treatment regimen for amazing results.

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At-home chemical peels

Chemical peels are one of the best acne scar treatments. Typically, chemical peels help smooth your skin and lighten the darker areas, so scarring is less visible. It also unclogs your pores, which helps prevent future acne breakouts as well – win-win! How does this acne scar treatment work? The chemicals actually remove the top layer of skin, sloughing away all the dead skin. Leaving you with clear, glowing, fresh skin.

As a general rule, chemical peels aren’t usually the best if you have very raised scars (such as rolling scars), but – don’t worry – there are other ways to reduce that type of scarring which we’ll talk about later.

If you’re unsure about your skin type or what type of scars you have, make sure to speak to your GP or Dermatologist before trying chemical peels.

There are quite a few chemical peels to choose from. For the best results, it’s important to choose one suited to your skin type and acne scar concerns.

These acids are very popular and work well in chemical peels:

• Salicylic acid – this is good if you tend to have greasy and acne-prone skin as it helps clean your pores
• Glycolic acid – this acid is focused on exfoliating your skin, and is best for normal/oily skin types
• Lactic acid – in general, this acid is good for all skin types and works well when it comes to fading dark scars
• Mandelic acid – again this acid works well for all skin types, but especially for those who have darker skin tones
• Phytic acid – this is the best acid for those who have sensitive skin and suffer from hyper-pigmentation as it’s more gentle than the others. But remember, when in doubt, consult a professional.

You’ve probably heard about Glycolic, Lactic, and Mandelic acids – they’re everywhere at the moment. These are AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) and are brilliant at dissolving dead skin cells, boosting cellular turnover, and improving collagen production – so they’re great for your skin.

Medical treatment for acne scarring

Unfortunately, medical treatments are usually quite expensive! Remember to always go to a licensed medical professional, as they will be able to advise you on the best acne scar treatment for you.

Here are a few of the best acne scar treatments available from professionals:

PROFESSIONAL CHEMICAL PEELS
You’ll usually see better results from professional chemical peels rather than the at-home version as dermatologists will tailor treatment to your skin. They assess your skin type and your acne scars and use their clinical expertise to design the best acne scar treatment for your situation.

LASER TREATMENT
Laser treatment is similar to a chemical peel as it resurfaces the skin on your face, but it does so without the use of chemicals or scrubs. So acne scarring becomes less visible with new, healthy and younger skin. Laser treatments, however, are not suitable for some skin types and can cause irritation or bad reactions. But don’t worry, a professional dermatologist will assess your skin and help you make the best decision.

INJECTIONS
Corticosteroid injections are also a great acne scar treatment. This typically works best for those with raised acne scars. You’ll need to be patient with this one as results will take time – you’ll often receive a series of injections over a few weeks from a dermatologist who will monitor the progress after each treatment.

DERMAL FILLERS
A dermatologist may recommend dermal fillers to try and reduce acne scarring by using a collagen-based product. However, dermal fillers are usually temporary and will only really last between 6 months to a year. There are permanent options available, but you’ll need to discuss those options with your dermatologist.

MICRONEEDLING
Microneedling can help smooth out the skin, which ultimately reduces the appearance of acne scarring. Microneedling is a process in which tiny needles are injected around the scarring. This stimulates the body’s natural reactions and promotes the making of more collagen within your body. Although the effects of microneedling can be beneficial when helping pimple scars, it can also result in side effects such as redness, inflammation, and pain afterwards.

How to avoid acne scars

Keen to avoid red acne scars? Try not to touch, pick, or squeeze your spots. We know it’s very tempting, but that’s how infections start, and it also increases skin irritation.

Another way to prevent acne scars is by pre-emptively treating oily and acne-prone skin and make using acne scar cream a habit. Read our best advice on acne treatment here.