Although there are at-home treatments for acne scars, the best outcomes frequently come from understanding the specifics of your skin and which treatments are most effective for your particular form of acne scar. Board-certified dermatologists create customized treatment plans for each patient for this reason. The first step in a safe and efficient acne scar treatment regimen is consultation. Not everyone is a candidate for treatment. Some people don’t think acne scars need to be treated.
Before scheduling a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist, it can be helpful to have the answers to some questions like, if you often wish you could erase the scars left by acne or if the scars prevent you from dating, getting a job, advancing in career, or doing well in school. If any of these questions apply to you, consulting a dermatologist about your options for treatment may be beneficial.
Understand what to anticipate from acne scar therapy
Before seeing a dermatologist, many people find it helpful to respond to the following questions to maximize their consultation. One can better convey your expectations for treatment by doing this.
How should you look after receiving treatment? Some procedures can blur the appearance of scars. Others can get rid of wavy skin. Make sure your dermatologist knows what matters to you.
How much time off id one able to spare? Some therapies call for rest periods.
How much time will you spend on skin care procedures and treatments? Which therapies will work best for you will be determined in part by your response.
What occurs when a dermatologist consults with a patient about acne scars?
Throughout this appointment, your dermatologist will:
Look closely at your skin, focusing on any scars. Understanding the kinds of acne scars on your skin and their locations is essential for scar treatment that works. For instance, ice-pick scars need to be treated differently from rolling scars to achieve the greatest outcomes. Your dermatologist can learn more about your expectations for the results and how the scars impact your life by asking you few questions.
How do dermatologists handle scars from acne?
Your dermatologist will design a personalized treatment plan if you and your doctor determine that acne scar removal treatment is what is best for you. Your dermatologist will take into account various factors such as your age, skin tone, budget, type of acne scars you have, and number of scars before establishing this plan. Acne treatment will probably be the first step in your approach if you experience outbreaks. Inflammation can be decreased and new acne scars can be avoided by stopping outbreaks.
Your treatment strategy may involve one or more of the following when it comes time to address the scars:
Treatment options for depression-like acne scars include procedures, skin-application medications, or surgery. Your dermatologist may employ many treatments to provide you with the greatest outcomes.
Some of the treatments for depressed scars are as follows:
Chemical peel: The application of a chemical peel stimulates the skin’s natural production of collagen and elastin. Depressed acne scars are less evident when there is a greater amount of both in the skin.
Fillers: This procedure gives depressed scars more volume. To fill in the scars, fillers can also encourage your body to create more elastin and collagen. Different fillers, with differing durations of action, are used by dermatologists. The majority of fillers only produce results that fade after almost three years. Permanent fillers are another option.
Lasers: Dermatologists can treat skin with acne scars by resurfacing the skin using lasers. Following laser resurfacing, your skin develops collagen and elastin throughout the healing process, which can lessen the visibility of scars. Additionally, your dermatologist could shape the skin surrounding acne scars with a laser, which can help lessen the visibility of scarring.
Microneedling: Your dermatologist will pierce the skin containing acne scars using small needles during this process. New collagen and elastin are produced by the body in response to skin punctures. The new collagen, also known as “collagen induction therapy,” aids in reducing acne scars.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): Your dermatologist may employ this procedure to improve the outcomes of microneedling or another procedure. A tiny sample of your blood is taken for PRP. To enable your dermatologist to use your platelets, this blood is fed into a machine that separates the blood.
Microdermabrasion: Your skin is gently exfoliated by this non-invasive procedure.
Radiofrequency: This treatment stimulates the production of collagen and elastin in your skin by using radiofrequency radiation. Acne scars are less obvious when your skin contains more of these.
Dermatologists can do minimal surgery to lessen obvious acne scars. A scar may be surgically removed, and the wound may be sutured up or covered with a skin graft. Your dermatologist may occasionally do surgery to remove the scar from the underlying tissue. The skin rises once it is released, lessening the visibility of the scar.