How to Get Rid of Acne Scars
Saying that acne is only a small problem is basically like saying that it’s okay to be stuck on a small piece of wood surrounded by sharks in the middle of an ocean with nothing but your clothes on. If you think having acne is bad, try dealing with acne scars! If you read my previous post on acne scars, you should know by now that acne scars are inevitable in some cases; however, learning how to get rid of acne scars can help you avoid dealing with these embarrassing marks for the rest of your life. From my previous post I think it is also fair to expect that you already know the process of scarring, why you even have acne scars, and that not all popped pimples develop in to scars. I will talk more about “popping” pimples later. It’s important that you have that solid foundation of the science behind scarring before learning about getting rid of acne scars.
There are a couple of natural and surgical ways to get rid, or at the very least lighten, acne scars. In this article, I have compiled some of the most effective and popular methods in saying goodbye to your acne scars and they are the following:
1. Laser Resurfacing – Laser resurfacing is among the most effective ways to get rid of acne scars. This procedure is normally done on patients with severe acne scarring and is ideally performed by a dermatologist. Laser works by sending a beam of light through your skin layers. The laser light slowly and gently breaks down your skin tissues eliminating scars, wrinkles, and basically all skin irregularities. It is noteworthy that the success of laser resurfacing depends highly on the skills of the person performing the procedure. Therefore, you should choose a surgical dermatologist trained for and equipped with the right knowledge for laser resurfacing.
During the procedure, you will not feel pain as you will be under topical anaesthetics; post procedure, however, your skin will feel raw and it will appear pinkish to reddish. Remember to use sunblock cream if you need to go out of the house in order to prevent burning your skin and leaving an even uglier dark spot on your face. Lastly, wait for one to two weeks before you start using make-up again.
PROS and CONS: Laser resurfacing is very effective in removing your scars and you will start seeing results in as short as two weeks. However, this procedure can be a bit pricey, ranging from $500 for simple spot treatment up to $8,000 for complete facial resurfacing. Moreover, your facial skin may peel and appear red for a couple of days following the procedure so you may have to stay at home for awhile.
2. Dermabrasion – Like laser resurfacing, dermabrasion is also ideally performed by a surgical dermatologist. This procedure was originally marketed for the removal of acne scars, until it eventually developed in to a method that also helps in removing tattoo scars, wrinkles, and age spots. Dermabrasion is cheaper than laser resurfacing, however, it is more aggressive than the latter because instead of using a laser, the dermatologist will use a rotating abrasive metal brush (yes it is a bit scary sounding). This procedure basically aims to “scrape off” the surface of your skin in order to remove the acne scars.
Dermabrasion Brush
Example of what a Dermabrasion brush looks like.
Before your dermatologist will begin the process of dermabrasion, he or she will also place topical anaesthesia on your face so that you won’t feel any pain. The after-effects of dermabrasion are unfortunately more painful than that of laser resurfacing. You will feel as though your skin has been brushed vigorously for hours. You will also feel a sting similar to that of a burnt skin. There is no need to back out now though because there are over-the-counter analgesics your dermatologist can recommend. It is really a small price to pay to get rid of acne scars.
PROS and CONS: Dermabrasion is effective like laser resurfacing and it generally costs less, so that is definitely a plus. However, it is definitely more painful and it takes longer to heal than laser resurfacing. Healing time takes about two to three weeks.
3. Triple Antibiotic Treatment (Acne Scar Creams) – Triple Antibiotic Treatment is nothing like the first two treatments discussed in this article. This treatment, better known as Neosporin, is an ointment you apply on your scars regularly to remove or lighten them. The original components of this drug are neomycin, bacitracin, and polymyxin B; thus the name “triple antibiotic treatment”.
PROS and CONS: This anti acne scar ointment is absolutely cheap! It only costs $50 at the maximum. However, it takes a really long time before you start seeing results; around 4 months at the very least, still depending on the severity of the scarring. So this treatment is only good for you if you have the time and patience to wait for the results.
4. Natural Remedies – Many people claim that there are natural remedies for acne scars that you can find right with in your home. We will cover more of these home remedies below but here are some ideas to get you started: Aloe Vera gel, Rosehip seed oil, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, tea tree oil, egg whites, ice cubes, and more. Again, we will talk more specifically about how to use these remedies below.
And those, my friend, are the ways you can manage the impact of your inevitable acne scars. Those are only some of the acne scar treatments available in the market; yes, there are a lot! Because of that, people can easily be deceived by scams and false advertisements. Do not be fooled! Be a notch wiser than most people and continue learning about how to get rid of acne scars.
Acne Scar Treatments
There are a couple of natural and surgical ways to get rid, or at the very least lighten, acne scars. In this article, I have compiled some of the most effective and popular methods in saying goodbye to your acne scars and they are the following:
How To Get Rid of Acne Scars
1. Laser Resurfacing – Laser resurfacing is among the most effective ways to get rid of acne scars. This procedure is normally done on patients with severe acne scarring and is ideally performed by a dermatologist. Laser works by sending a beam of light through your skin layers. The laser light slowly and gently breaks down your skin tissues eliminating scars, wrinkles, and basically all skin irregularities. It is noteworthy that the success of laser resurfacing depends highly on the skills of the person performing the procedure. Therefore, you should choose a surgical dermatologist trained for and equipped with the right knowledge for laser resurfacing.
During the procedure, you will not feel pain as you will be under topical anaesthetics; post procedure, however, your skin will feel raw and it will appear pinkish to reddish. Remember to use sunblock cream if you need to go out of the house in order to prevent burning your skin and leaving an even uglier dark spot on your face. Lastly, wait for one to two weeks before you start using make-up again.
PROS and CONS: Laser resurfacing is very effective in removing your scars and you will start seeing results in as short as two weeks. However, this procedure can be a bit pricey, ranging from $500 for simple spot treatment up to $8,000 for complete facial resurfacing. Moreover, your facial skin may peel and appear red for a couple of days following the procedure so you may have to stay at home for awhile.
2. Dermabrasion – Like laser resurfacing, dermabrasion is also ideally performed by a surgical dermatologist. This procedure was originally marketed for the removal of acne scars, until it eventually developed in to a method that also helps in removing tattoo scars, wrinkles, and age spots. Dermabrasion is cheaper than laser resurfacing, however, it is more aggressive than the latter because instead of using a laser, the dermatologist will use a rotating abrasive metal brush (yes it is a bit scary sounding). This procedure basically aims to “scrape off” the surface of your skin in order to remove the acne scars.
Dermabrasion Brush
Example of what a Dermabrasion brush looks like.
Before your dermatologist will begin the process of dermabrasion, he or she will also place topical anaesthesia on your face so that you won’t feel any pain. The after-effects of dermabrasion are unfortunately more painful than that of laser resurfacing. You will feel as though your skin has been brushed vigorously for hours. You will also feel a sting similar to that of a burnt skin. There is no need to back out now though because there are over-the-counter analgesics your dermatologist can recommend. It is really a small price to pay to get rid of acne scars.
PROS and CONS: Dermabrasion is effective like laser resurfacing and it generally costs less, so that is definitely a plus. However, it is definitely more painful and it takes longer to heal than laser resurfacing. Healing time takes about two to three weeks.
3. Triple Antibiotic Treatment (Acne Scar Creams) – Triple Antibiotic Treatment is nothing like the first two treatments discussed in this article. This treatment, better known as Neosporin, is an ointment you apply on your scars regularly to remove or lighten them. The original components of this drug are neomycin, bacitracin, and polymyxin B; thus the name “triple antibiotic treatment”.
PROS and CONS: This anti acne scar ointment is absolutely cheap! It only costs $50 at the maximum. However, it takes a really long time before you start seeing results; around 4 months at the very least, still depending on the severity of the scarring. So this treatment is only good for you if you have the time and patience to wait for the results.
4. Natural Remedies – Many people claim that there are natural remedies for acne scars that you can find right with in your home. We will cover more of these home remedies below but here are some ideas to get you started: Aloe Vera gel, Rosehip seed oil, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, tea tree oil, egg whites, ice cubes, and more. Again, we will talk more specifically about how to use these remedies below.
And those, my friend, are the ways you can manage the impact of your inevitable acne scars. Those are only some of the acne scar treatments available in the market; yes, there are a lot! Because of that, people can easily be deceived by scams and false advertisements. Do not be fooled! Be a notch wiser than most people and continue learning about how to get rid of acne scars.
