Acne Scars and Scar Removal: Effective Treatments for Clearer Skin
If you have a history of acne, you know the frustration that comes with finally clearing it up only to be left with acne scars and uneven skin texture. Acne scars are incredibly common for anyone with acne, especially if you experienced cystic acne. And fortunately, there are many options for acne scars and scar removal available at Supriya Aesthetic Dermatology for patients of any age. Acne is most common in younger patients, but it is capable of indiscriminately affecting anyone, and it’s possible to reduce and remove your acne scars with the right treatment at any age. Looking for a solution that will finally work? Here’s what we recommend on how to identify your type of scars, the most effective treatments for your unique skin, and what results you should expect.
Types of Acne Scars (And What Causes Them)
Acne scars form when a breakout affects the deeper layers of the skin. They can linger for years, or even become permanent. There are several different types of acne scars, each requiring different approaches for effective scar removal.
- Ice Pick Scars: These are deep, narrow indentations that resemble small holes.
- Boxcar Scars: These scars are wider, angular depressions, often with sharp, noticeable edges. We’ve also referred to them as atrophic scars, meaning they depress into the skin as opposed to being raised up.
- Rolling Scars: These scars create a wave-like appearance on the skin due to a loss of tissue beneath the surface.
- Hypertrophic Scars: These are raised scars that occur when too much collagen is produced during healing. They can appear as a bump or point.
Unsure of which type of scar you have? Or perhaps you have more than one type, which can be common. Our providers are experts in understanding and identifying your type of scars so we can determine the best acne scar removal treatment that’s most suitable for your skin. Every patient’s needs may be different and combined approaches are common, but here are the most common suggestions we make to remove acne scars.
Vbeam for Acne Scar Removal
With acne scars come redness, and often the redness left behind by acne inflammation is stubborn and unresponsive to even the most diligent skincare products intended to reduce it. Vbeam laser remains our gold standard of treatment for reducing redness in scars, and it’s generally well tolerated, easy to perform, and comes with minimal downtime. Vbeam is used as a spot treatment for redness, leaving the surrounding skin that is unaffected by acne untouched. Vbeam is often the first treatment we recommend to reduce the redness associated with acne scarring.
Fraxel and Clear + Brilliant Lasers for Scar Removal
Both Fraxel and Clear + Brilliant lasers are great options for treating acne scars, and they function in similar ways by both targeting the hyperpigmentation that’s so common with acne scars. These lasers work by targeting the deeper layers of the skin, stimulating collagen production, and promoting skin rejuvenation. However, there are a few notable differences between them that can help you decide which is best for you:
- Fraxel Laser: Fraxel is a more intense treatment compared to Clear + Brilliant and is ideal for patients with deeper scars. It creates tiny columns in the skin, triggering the healing process by flooding the area with collagen and lifting the surface of scars. This laser can be used to treat a variety of acne scar types, from shallow to deeper scars. The number of treatments will largely depend on the depth of your scars and how much collagen your skin is able to produce from the treatment.
- Clear + Brilliant Laser: This treatment is gentler and is often used for mild to moderate acne scarring. Clear + Brilliant is ideal for individuals who want to improve skin tone and texture without the need for more invasive treatments. It can often be preferred for anyone who doesn’t have time for any downtime, and you can even go back to applying makeup the following day (on top of your sunscreen, of course).
Microneedling for Acne Scar Removal
Microneedling is a minimally invasive treatment that has gained popularity as an effective treatment for acne scar removal thanks to its quick recovery and impressive results. The treatment involves using tiny needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin, stimulating collagen production and promoting skin regeneration. This process helps to reduce the appearance of acne scars and improve skin texture for ANY type of skin texture concern. We can also incorporate products that will boost collagen production and enhance your results, making it much easier to achieve smoother skin again.
What to Expect from Microneedling for Acne Scars
During a microneedling session, we apply a topical numbing cream to make the experience as comfortable as possible for you. The treatment typically takes around 30-60 minutes, depending on the size of the treatment area. Results can vary from patient to patient depending on the age of your acne scars and the severity, but many patients begin to notice improvements after just a few sessions. Full results usually appear within 3 to 6 months, as collagen production continues to ramp up over time and improves skin texture and tone.
Are there side effects and downtime to Microneedling for Acne Scar Removal?
Microneedling is a well-tolerated treatment, but mild redness and swelling are common right after the procedure. These effects usually subside within a few hours to a day. Most patients can resume their normal activities immediately, making microneedling a convenient treatment and patient favorite at Supriya Aesthetic Dermatology for acne scar removal with minimal downtime. We will provide guidance for you in terms of how soon you can resume using cosmetics and your usual skincare routine, and we recommend avoiding intense exercise and sun exposure for 48-72 hours after your treatment. If you do have to be outside, cover up your skin and use broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Genius RF for Acne Scar Removal
Genius RF takes collagen stimulation through microneedling to a new level, offering an advanced treatment that combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy to intelligently stimulate collagen deep into the layers of the skin. The process involves using tiny needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin, which stimulates the body’s natural healing process and collagen remodeling in the deeper layers of the skin. At the same time, the radiofrequency energy heats the deeper layers of the skin, enhancing skin tightening and texture improvement. This dual-action works to smooth out uneven skin and minimizes the chance of scarring.
Genius RF typically takes about 30-60 minutes, depending on the treatment area, and most patients experience very mild swelling that generally lasts for a day or two. You’ll begin to notice an improvement within a few weeks, but your full results take up to 3 months as your collagen levels increase. We often recommend a series of three treatments, but a consultation is our best way of determining your ideal number of treatments, and if a combination is the right choice for you.
UltraClear for Acne Scar Removal
- Precision and Customization: One of the key benefits of UltraClear Laser is its ability to precisely target acne scars, whether they are shallow or deep. The treatment can be adjusted to suit your unique skin type and scar severity, ensuring optimal results.
- Safe for All Skin Types: UltraClear Laser is suitable for all skin types and offers a safe, non-surgical alternative to chemical peels or dermal injections. It’s a highly effective option for those who have struggled with acne scars that aren’t suited to lasers like Fraxel.
- Long-Lasting Results: While it may take multiple sessions to achieve the best results, UltraClear Laser offers long-lasting improvements to skin texture and tone. Over time, the collagen stimulated by the laser continues to refine and smooth the skin’s appearance, making acne scars less noticeable.
Differences Between Lasers for Acne Scar Removal
Fraxel, Clear + Brilliant, and UltraClear all work wonders on pigmentation, but are most noted for their collagen-inducing abilities. Vbeam, on the other hand, is considered the gold standard for redness, which is perfect for anyone bothered by persistent redness left behind by their acne scars. While most patients we see benefit from all of our lasers, a consultation may be necessary to make sure we approach your scars with the most effective laser treatment based on your skin type and how much treatment you’ll actually require.
CryoFacials & Acne Treatment
CryoFacials involve the use of cold therapy to stimulate the skin and promote circulation, helping to reduce inflammation and redness associated with acne scars, however, CryoFacials and esthetician services go a long way in treating active breakouts that can be red and painful. They provide a safe way to soothe inflammation and can help reduce the severity of the breakout, thus helping prevent the formation of scars. One of our priorities lies in the prevention of acne scars. Getting ahead of persistent acne is simpler than ever, with everything from topicals to prescriptions to get control of your skin. Getting to the root cause is where our providers step in and guide you so acne scars are less likely to be an issue down the road.
Preventing Acne Scars Is Simpler Than Treating Them
Preventing acne scars is always easier than trying to get rid of them later. By focusing on prevention, you can reduce the chances of breakouts in the first place, which means fewer (or even no) scars later on. Using retinoids and active ingredients that are tailored to your skin type can really make a difference by helping regulate oil production, speed up skin turnover, and keep pores clear—all of which can help keep acne at bay. When you manage acne early, your skin has a better shot at healing without leaving behind lasting marks. So, taking a proactive approach not only helps you avoid dealing with scars later but also keeps your skin looking clearer and healthier overall.
Acne scars can have a lasting impact on your confidence, but with minimally invasive treatments like those offered above, scar removal is more realistic and attainable than ever. At Supriya Aesthetic Dermatology, we are dedicated to providing the best acne scar treatment tailored to your skin’s unique needs. Contact us today to schedule your consultation, and we can guide you on which treatments are ideal and how to maintain your results to get back to smooth, blemish-free skin for good.
