Finding the correct method of how to treat acne scars might be compared with going through a maze. On a day you hear that a lemon scrub is the way, and on the next day, you cannot stop thinking about high, tech lasers. In fact, acne scars are not simply "marks", they are alterations of the skin tissue.
Therefore, you have to identify the right treatment corresponding to the type of scar on your skin for the effective clearing. If you happen to have deep pits (atrophic) or raised bumps (hypertrophic), below is the division of the ways to take back your skin.
Dermatologists categorize scars based on how they sit on the skin. Using the wrong treatment for your scar type is the #1 reason people don't see results.
|
Scar Type |
Best Professional Treatment |
Why it Works |
|
Ice Pick & Boxcar |
TCA Cross / Laser Resurfacing |
Uses deep chemical or light energy to "rebuild" the skin floor. |
|
Rolling Scars |
Subcision + Fillers |
Breaks the bands pulling skin down and plumps the "valleys." |
|
Red/Brown Marks |
Chemical Peels / IPL |
Fades pigment and calms redness without needles. |
|
Raised Scars |
Steroid Injections |
Flattens the excess scar tissue for a level surface. |
If over-the-counter creams haven't worked, it’s because they can’t reach the deep "dermal" layer where scars live. Here are the gold-standard clinic options:
The most important step in learning how to treat acne scars is timing. You must clear active acne first. Treating scars while you still have breakouts is like trying to fix a pothole while the road is still being blasted. Once your skin is calm, your treatments will be significantly more effective and permanent.
While you can’t "erase" scars overnight, you can dramatically improve them by choosing treatments like microneedling or laser therapy. For the best results, look for a combination plan tailored by a pro, and never skip your daily SPF—sunlight is the #1 enemy of scar healing!