​List of Treatments for Acne Scars 

Acne causes enough problems during active breakouts, but at least you can take comfort knowing they will eventually heal. But when breakouts leave behind scars, it's a constant reminder of the struggle you endure from having skin problems. Scarring can make skin look uneven, and a smooth even texture is difficult to obtain. Here, we list several ways you can remove acne scars for good. 

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1) Derma Roller

This rotating spool with about 300 tiny needles looks a bit intimidating at first glance. BUT it's one of the most effective ways to get rid of acne scars. To use the product, you roll it over scar tissue areas once every two weeks, using a medium amount of pressure.

Derma rolling creates tiny punctures in the skin, which (after 2-4 weeks) will repair and regenerate. As these tiny wounds heal, they produce new collagen.  Collagen eventually fills in the pits and scars left behind from acne, creating a smooth, uniform surface.

Rollers are sold online for around $35 and contain various needle sizes, ranging from .25mm - 1.5mm. The .25 size is not powerful enough to boost collagen, and therefore will not reduce acne scarring. It is intended for those looking to get better absorption from skin care products. The best size to select in order to reduce acne scarring is .75mm-1.0mm, as these needle punctures will encourage collagen production and smooth skin texture. ​

After rolling is complete, a 20% Vitamin C serum is typically applied, which helps boost healing time and further increases collagen production. As an added benefit, topical application of the Vitamin C serum also fades hyperpigmentation and dark spots left behind from breakouts.

The Derma Pen is an electric version of the above, and is a bit more pricey at around $130. The extra cost may be worth it to some, as the variable speed & vibration take guesswork out of pressure requirements. A company called MTSRoller.com sells complete kits that contain the correct derma roller for your specific scarring condition, along with complimentary products to use during treatment that will help skin heal to a smooth even finish. 

Created by a former acne sufferer, a company called Banish creates products devoted to breakout prevention & decrease in the appearance of acne scars. Incorporating the Derma Roller system, it offers skin care kits that contain everything you need to banish acne scars. They also offer masque options, cleanser, soothing aloe gel, and Vitamin C serum to boost collagen production. Their products are vegan, cruelty-free, and do not contain sulfates or parabens. ​

What to expect with any Derma Roller treatment? Be prepared for the area to be a bit swollen and red for several hours, as needled areas to bleed slightly for a few minutes after use. Always be sure to sanitize the roller in an alcohol solution before & after use. Allow skin to heal for 24-48 hours after rolling before using any type of liquid foundation. If foundation is absolutely necessary, use only a light mineral based powder such as Juice Beauty's Blemish Clearing Powder or Mattify Cosmetic's Tinted Powder Foundation, as these will not absorb into the tiny lesions caused by the roller. ​

​Depending on the depth and severity of the scarring, a complete skin transition can take anywhere from 2-8 months of bi-weekly use. You will notice a definite reduction of pitting, scarring, and even reduced pore size. 

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Mederma Acne Scar Gel ​

This product has gotten mixed reviews for how well it works to help acne scars dissipate. It's a good choice for very light, more recent scarring - but might not be up to the task of healing older, deeply pitted acne scars. Mederma Advanced Scar Gel is an easy, low maintenance solution, as it only needs to be applied once daily. Since this formula is a gel, it absorbs quickly and can easily be worn under foundation. However, in general it's most effective to apply any type of skin treatment before bedtime, since our bodies undergo a healing process as we sleep.  With this in mind, Mederma also offers a PM treatment, which is a slightly heavier cream formula, designed to be worn at night. Mederma PM contains a nourishing blend of peptides, collagen, and antioxidants that help skin cells regenerate during sleep.

​On light acne scars, fading can be seen after 2 weeks of twice daily use.

Older and darker scars begin to fade within 16 weeks of twice daily use.

3) Laser Resurfacing

​This is the best treatment for very deep, older acne scars. Each procedure takes around 30 minutes, during which short pulses of micro-fine laser light penetrate to the skin’s sub-layers to rearrange the skin’s support structure.  After the treatment, the body’s natural healing process takes over, clearing away damaged tissue and rebuilding it with fresh new collagen and elastin. As these ​essential elements are re-established, skin becomes noticeably more plump and "filled in", making pitted acne scars vanish. After the recommended 3-7 treatments (usually limited to 1 or 2 monthly), you will see a drastic visible difference, and the surface of skin will feel smooth and even.  

Luckily, most laser procedures doesn't require lengthy down time, and cause minimal redness.  The only down side is cost, as a full range of treatments can cost anywhere from $3,000 - $5,000. ​

4) Chemical Peels ​

These work well on light to moderate acne scarring, as they gradually peel away surface layers of the epidermis. This resurfacing allows newer, fresh skin to emerge. The down side is that a Chemical Peel does exactly what the name implies - it makes your skin peel and shed layers. This causes a bit of a dilemma with people who can't afford down time to let skin heal. It's best to have the procedure done when you have at several days to allow for healing, without the need to apply foundation.  Whatever you do, DON'T try to accelerate peeling by picking at and removing layers of skin before they are ready, as this will lead to additional scarring. 

LIGHT PEELS
These are commonly referred to as “lunch time peels”, because they can be completed quickly and don’t require any down time. Since these only dissolve the very surface level of the epidermis, they work best for very mild freckling or light acne scars (ones that are not deeply pitted). 10% to 30% Glycolic Acid peels fit into this category, as do 65% Lactic Acid peels. They help purge blackheads from pores and give skin a nice overall glow.

MEDIUM PEELS
This type works best for moderate acne scarring, as it will smooth and plump the skin, making scars less visible. It also encourages additional collagen production, which will continue to plump skin even after the effects of the peel itself have worn off. Be prepared for a bit of down time with a medium peel, as skin shedding normally takes from 7-10 days. Look for a 20-25% TCA (trichloracetic acid) peel, or a 50% Alpha Beta peel.
 
DEEP PEELS
Deep peels normally combine 2 or 3 of the above, for example a 25% TCA peel + a 50% Glycolic peel. Since these require more than one step, they are normally done by a skilled dermatologist or esthetician.  This type has the lengthiest down time of 10-14 days, and are best for excessively pitted, deep acne scars.  

After application, skin will feel normal for about 2 days. It will then start feeling a bit leathery, at which point it begins to shed its old layer. Faster peeling can be encouraged by using warm water compresses and taking hot showers - but remember, it’s important to not pick at the skin & force peeling, as removing skin before it’s ready could result in additional scarring. Two leading websites that sell at-home peel ingredients are Skin Obsession and Makeup Artist’s Choice.