The Best Acne Scar Treatment for Your Skin

young woman with closed eyes touching face with acne isolated on beige

Managing acne can be challenging enough – dealing with scars after the fact is another matter entirely. While milder breakouts don’t usually leave a trace, moderate to severe acne can often result in scarring long after the initial breakout. Depending on your skin tone and type, these acne scars can be stubborn, not easily fading without intervention. Fortunately, there are several treatment options available for acne scars. The best acne scar treatment for you will depend on the type and severity of your scars, as well as your individual skin type and preferences.

Dermatology Associates of Plymouth Meeting understands how acne scars can diminish your quality of life, which is why we create custom treatment plans to help our patients achieve the skin they’ve always dreamed of.

Topical Treatments for Acne Scars

Topical treatments are commonly used for acne, and the same goes for treating acne scars. These treatments include creams, gels, and serums applied directly to the scarred areas. Generally speaking, these topicals help fade acne scars (and other types of scars in many cases) by reducing inflammation and promoting skin healing.

Some common topical acne scar treatments and their components include:

Retinoids/Retinol
Tretinoin
Benzoyl Peroxide
Vitamin C
Salicylic Acid

Laser Acne Scar Treatments

Certain lasers offer a powerful and targeted approach to acne scar treatment. These treatments use focused beams of light to stimulate collagen production, promoting smoother skin and reducing the prominence of scars. At Dermatology Associates of Plymouth Meeting, our board-certified dermatologists offer a variety of laser acne scar treatment options, which can be used in combination to achieve the best results. These treatments include:

AviClear™ – Cleared by the FDA on March 24th, 2022, this laser delivers a 1726 nm beam of energy to the skin to suppress the sebaceous gland, stopping sebum production in its tracks. Not only does this solution prevent and mitigate acne, but it also reduces acne scars, redness and other forms of skin discoloration.
Forever Clear® BroadBand Light (BBL) Therapy – Effective against redness, acne, and acne scarring, Forever Clear BBL uses blue, yellow and infrared intense pulsed light (IPL) to banish bacteria, decrease inflammation and help the skin heal on its own.
Aerolase® Elite – This 1064nm pulsed light laser is designed to improve the skin’s overall appearance, going after not only acne scars but also psoriasis, spider veins, angiomas, warts and more.
ClearSilk® – This painless, non-ablative laser treatment addresses acne scars, pigmented lesions, wrinkles and more. Each session lasts only 30 minutes and can be performed at any time of the year with no downtime.

Dermatology Associates of Plymouth Meeting offers all these laser treatments and more to help our patients clear up acne scars and other skin concerns.

Chemical Peels

Acne scars can also be reduced with the help of chemical peels. These use different solutions to remove the outermost layers of skin and reveal clearer and more youthful skin underneath. Some chemical peels are more gentle or aggressive than others, and certain options may be better suited for certain skin types.

Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) peels contain glycolic acid and are effective at treating fine lines, acne, and other minor skin imperfections. Then there are beta hydroxy acid (BHA) peels – these contain salicylic acid and are primarily aimed at treating acne and acne scars. Both AHA and BHA chemical peels are on the gentler side. Phenol peels, on the other hand, go deeper into the skin to treat severe issues with carbolic acid.

Talk to your dermatologist to determine which kind of chemical peel is right for your skin.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is an exfoliative process that uses fine crystals to remove the outer layers of skin and stimulate the production of collagen and new skin cells. When properly administered, this method can treat acne scars, sun damage, wrinkles and other aging signs.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers provide the skin with more volume via injections to the targeted areas. These injectable treatments, such as Restylane®, can fill in depressed acne scars, giving the skin a smoother appearance.

Say Goodbye to Acne Scars

With so many options, finding the best acne scar treatment for your skin can feel overwhelming. Dermatology Associates of Plymouth Meeting is here to simplify this process and give your skin the attention it deserves. Discuss your options with Dr. Griffin or Dr. Saedi to determine the best treatment plan for your needs. They will be able to assess your scars and recommend the most appropriate treatment options or combination of options.