Scarring is one of the unfortunate aftereffects of acne breakouts. If you have acne scars, you may want to know how you can rid yourself of them for good. Fortunately, advancements in medical technology have paved the way for skin treatments that reduce or eliminate acne scars. Does this Spark an idea?
Determine Your Type of Scar
Acne scarring usually falls under one of two categories: minor and severe. Knowing which type of scarring you have will dictate the best treatment options for you. Acne flare-ups that come from small pimples, blackheads and whiteheads will likely cause only minor scarring.
Severe acne scarring is a result of consistent acne breakouts that are comprised of papules (inflamed pimples), pustules (white-centered pimples), nodules (larger pus-filled lumps) and cysts. These types of blemishes are bigger in size than their blackhead/whitehead counterparts and take longer to heal, thus creating scars.
Treat Minor Acne Scars at Home
You can usually treat your minor acne scars with at-home treatments that are either prescribed by your doctor or created from different household ingredients. Your dermatologist can prescribe a topical cream treatment that is used on the scars every day. These treatments normally consist of active ingredients such as alpha-hydroxy acids or Retin-A that are known to help slough off dead skin and promote cell renewal.
Home remedies passed down for generations have also been shown to reduce minor acne scarring. One example is to mix a paste of sandalwood and rosewood and wear on your face overnight to reduce redness. Another is rubbing the pulp of a tomato on your face. The enzymes and acids in the tomato work to exfoliate the skin.
Seek Professional Help for Severe Scars
Severe acne scars should only be tackled by skin professionals. Your dermatologist will evaluate your scars and determine which treatment is likely to work for your skin.
Examples of professional-grade acne scar treatments include microdermabrasion, chemical peel, laser resurfacing and dermabrasion. These treatments can be painful and it takes some time to recover from each procedure. For example, dermabrasion involves physically removing the epidermis (top layer of skin) with a wire brush. Chemical peels involve burning off the epidermis with a chemical solution. The result is a lot like sunburn: your skin will peel off over the course of several weeks, revealing new skin underneath.
These treatments are normally considered to be cosmetic procedures, and as such, are rarely covered by health insurance.
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