Overview

Treating acne is difficult enough, but having to confront acne scars, which are often permanent, can be a real blow to your self-esteem. Luckily, there are ways to repair acne scarring or at the very least greatly diminish its appearance. These treatments range in complexity from applying a cream to undergoing surgery, but they all maintain the aim of reduce acne scarring to some degree.

Step 1

Eliminate any remaining acne that you have. Make a visit to your dermatologist's office, and undergo any treatment necessary to remove your blemishes. Standard approaches include topical cleansers and creams that contain either salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or retinoids and the use of antibiotics and other oral medications like Accutane to prevent all future breakouts.

Step 2

Fade red and brown marks left behind by acne by using chemical peels either at home or in your dermatologist's office. Common forms include alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic acid or beta hydroxy acids like salicylic acid. Your dermatologist may use a stronger chemical like phenols to peel your skin faster and more deeply. These treatments will reduce the appearance of discoloration and soften the edges of depressed scars.

Step 3

Use a microdermabrasion kit to slough off the top layers of skin and reveal healthier skin underneath. This can speed up the healing of acne scars though depending on the depth of treatment, you will need a few weeks worth of recovery time to allow your skin to heal. Your skin will appear pink and will be sensitive for several weeks and you'll need to be careful when going out in the sun to prevent burning.

Step 4

Undergo laser resurfacing treatment to remove your acne scars. The laser is used directly over the scarred area to resurface it and fade the appearance of scarring. This works best on shallow scars or hyperpigmentation.

Step 5

Have surgery to remove your acne scars. This is often the only way to get rid of very deep scars, especially boxcar and ice pick scars. Your dermatologist will cut out the scarred area and sew together the surrounding tissue. While this will likely create a thin new scar, it's much easier to control and cover than a depressed acne scar.