A Guide to Treating The Appearance of Acne Scars

For many acne sufferers, acne scars may be a physical reminder of the uncomfortable skin disorder that they once had. For this reason, many choose to seek treatment for their acne scars. 

Acne scarring appears on the face where your acne once was. This makes many people feel self conscious and may even lower their self esteem. Because of this, many chose to reduce the appearance of their acne scars. 

Here is everything you need to know about acne scars and acne scar treatment, all in one place.

The different kinds of acne scars

There are two main categories of acne scarring, these are: atrophic scars and hypertrophic and keloid scars. 

Atrophic scars are indented scars that heal below the surface of the skin. This kind of scarring is usually caused by severe active acne. There are 3 kinds of common atrophic scars that you should know of. These include ice pick scars, boxcar scars, and rolling scars.

Hypertrophic scars on the other hand, are raised scars that are caused by the acne healing process. This kind of scar usually occurs where the skin is thicker, meaning they show up usually on the shoulders, back, and jawline.

Atrophic and hypertrophic and keloid scars are not harmful or painful, but many people choose to receive treatment to reduce their appearance. Keep reading to find out the different kinds of treatment options for those wishing to reduce the appearance of their acne scars.

Laser treatment

One of the most effective acne scar treatments is laser treatment. This kind of treatment is used to treat all kinds of acne scars, from atrophic to hypertrophic, laser treatment is an excellent option for many people who wish to reduce the appearance of their acne scars. 

Laser treatment is a professional kind of skin care treatment that is performed in a clinic. There are two kinds of laser treatments that professionals can administer. These are: ablative and non ablative.

Ablative laser treatment

Ablative laser treatment involves removing a small part of the skin around the scars with lasers. The aim is for the skin to grow back looking new and healthy, reducing the appearance of acne scars.

Non ablative laser treatment

Non ablative laser treatment is a less invasive type of laser treatment. This kind of laser treatment does not remove any of the skin, but works in a different way.

Non ablative laser treatment involves a skincare specialist using lasers to heat up the skin and stimulate the production of collagen. Collagen is a protein in the skin that allows the skin to tighten and in turn, look healthy and youthful. This protein depletes as you get older. 

This kind of laser treatment does not harm the surface of the skin which is a great alternative to ablative laser treatment.

Microdermabrasion 

Microdermabrasion is a technique that involves a skincare professional using a specialist sanding wand to gently sand the top layer of skin to stimulate skin cell renewal. Stimulating the production of collagen and encouraging the growth of new skin cells can greatly reduce the appearance of acne scars. 

This treatment is non-invasive making the recovery time very short.