Before we talk about getting rid of acne scars you need to understand neither I nor any of the contributors on this site are licensed physicians; we've simply done our research on acne and wanted to share the knowledge we've gathered with you, our readers. Before following any of the advice given here about treating or removing acne scars, you should consult a physician. In fact, most of the acne scar treatments listed below require a physician's assistance. That being said, I think you'll find this article on how to get rid of acne scars informative enough to help you weigh your options for acne scar removal.
There is almost no difference in the methods used to get rid of any type of scars as compared to getting rid of acne scars, with the exception of the strength of the dermabrasion and chemical peel techniques. There are four main techniques used to get rid of acne scars; all of these acne scar treatments rely on one simple principle: removing the scarred layer of epidermis, the skin will naturally replace that skin with newer, smoother skin—removing any unwanted scarring, regardless of what caused the scars. So, I will list and describe these acne scar treatments in the order of expense and effectiveness.
Your Options for Acne Scar Removal
Before we suggest any particular method, we should say that preventing severe acne should be your first step. Wash with very mild soaps, especially antibacterial formulas, twice a day: once in the morning and once in the evening. Avoid oils, fatty foods, and fabric softeners as often as possible. And last, but not least, avoid the temptation to squeeze and pop zits. There are methods for popping pimples, but you should, for the most part, avoid doing this because of the risk of infection, which is what causes acne scars in the first place.
Laser resurfacing is one of the most effective ways to get rid of acne scars. This procedure is usually performed on people who have severe acne scarring, and is usually done by dermatologist. Basically, the doctor performing the laser resurfacing numbs the area with local anesthetics and then uses a laser to remove the top layer of skin. The heat also toughens the layer of skin below, leaving a smooth, scar-free surface. It usually takes 1-2 weeks for the acne scars to heal properly using this method.
Dermabrasion is medical procedure used to get rid of acne scars in much the same way that laser resurfacing does. Dermabrasion is different, however, from laser resurfacing because the dermatologist uses a metal brush or diamond surfaced spinning blade to scrape away the top layer of skin, removing acne scars along with the skin. Healing times for acne scars are a bit longer when dermabrasion is used—usually 2-3 weeks, depending on how much skin was removed.
Chemical peels are a more mild approach to getting rid of acne scars. Essentially, a chemical peel is a lot like an exfoliating scrub that you use at home, only the chemicals involved are a little more sophisticated and a little harsher. When they are applied to the skin, more layers of the acne scarred skin are removed than your average over-the-counter exfoliating scrub. This procedure is quite quick, and is often performed in the dermatologist's office, and although irritation may persist for a day or so, healing times are much quicker than other methods.
Microdermabrasion is a lot like a normal dermabrasion, but less skin is removed at a time. This is an acne scar treatment that generally takes several weeks to perform. In any instance where dermabrasion and microdermabrasion are performed, the only areas that are treated are those areas where acne scars are most prevalent. Microdermabrasion is nice because, like a chemical peel, it can be done quite quickly in your physician's office, and it heals quickly as well.
Surgical Removal
By now, it should be obvious to you that to get rid of acne scars you're going to have to either wait for them to go away on their own (most do within a year), or undergo some form of surgical/chemical acne scar procedure. Of course, as I mentioned in the last segment of this article, there are ways to avoid getting acne scars altogether. The question is: what are you willing to put up with? Using mild soaps and balancing your diet are the healthier ways to keep acne and acne scars to a minimum, but these methods take patience and self-discipline—something not all of us have, myself included.
There are prescription acne medications that can be used to prevent acne and acne scars. Most of these medications, however, are antibiotics meant to kill the acne causing bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes, or P. acnes). Antibiotics like tetracycline, erythromycin, doxycycline, and minocycline are examples of oral acne medications—each comes with its side effects, which can be—unpleasant.
Perhaps one of the most effective acne skin care medications are antimicrobial ointments or topical acne medicines. These prevent acne and acne scars in much the same way that antibiotics do, by killing the bacteria that cause acne, but they are antibiotic-free and are applied to the surface of the skin on a regular basis. So, in the end, the most effective choice you have for getting rid of acne scars or preventing the serious acne that causes scarring are surgical acne scar removal techniques and antibiotic topical acne treatments.
