How to Treat Acne Scars

Acne Scar Treatments

Acne is a common skin condition that affects millions of both adolescents and adults. It is so common, in fact, that it is almost a rite of passage for many people. Although acne usually resolves itself in time, it can leave behind unpleasant reminders in the form of acne scars. Many people affected by acne scars would like to improve or eliminate them, but they are unsure which treatment is right for them.

If you suffer from acne scars, you have several treatment options to choose from. Many of them are minimally invasive and require no downtime. You can meet with your med spa provider in a consultation to find the best treatment choice for you and your individual needs.

Some popular treatments for acne scars:

• Lasers
• Chemical peels
• Microneedling

Let's take a look at each type of acne treatment to give you a better idea of what is involved with each specific procedure.

Lasers

Many people have improved the appearance of their acne scars by undergoing laser treatments that reach the epidermis and dermis layers of the skin. These medical lasers penetrate through damaged skin and stimulate the production of collagen, encouraging new, healthy skin cells to emerge and replace old, damaged skin cells affected by acne scars.

What To Expect

If you are getting a laser acne scar treatment, your practitioner may begin by applying a topical numbing agent to your skin to ensure your comfort. A stream of cold air may also be passed over your skin during the treatment, which typically lasts around 25 minutes.

Many people experience gratifying results after only one laser treatment, while others may need multiple treatment sessions to achieve their cosmetic goals.

It takes about seven to 10 days to recover from a typical laser acne scar treatment. For the first two days, you will likely experience some skin redness and swelling. During the following two days, you may develop some skin scaling. Allow the skin to fall away on its own without picking at it.

Avoid prolonged sun exposure while you're healing from your laser acne scar treatment. Use a good sunscreen on your skin at this time. You should notice results anywhere from two to four weeks after your laser treatment. Some people benefit from multiple treatment sessions spaced a few weeks apart.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are another popular type of treatment for acne scars. There are several different types available, some of which are minimally invasive and require no downtime. For deeper scars, a stronger peel may be needed, which could involve significant downtime.

Common ingredients in chemical peels include:

• Alpha hydroxy acid
• Glycolic acid
• Lactic acid
• Salicylic acid
• Phenol

Chemical peels work by helping some of the outer skin layer to slough off, making room for new skin cells that display fewer signs of acne scars. Lighter peels only remove the stratum corneum skin layer, which is made up of dead skin cells. These gentle peels are typically used for only very minor acne scars and may require repeated application for optimal results. Light peels do not normally require any topical anesthetic.

Medium and deep chemical peels are used for deeper acne scars and involve the application of a topical numbing agent and some downtime.

What To Expect

Before undergoing a chemical peel, your face should be clean and free of makeup or topical skin care products. Your provider will apply a chemical solution to your skin, which will remain in contact with it for a specified amount of time, depending upon the type of peel that you are getting.

You may experience a slight tingling sensation while the chemical solution is in contact with your skin. Your provider will then remove the peel and allow you to return home.

Chemical Peel Aftercare

As the name suggests, a chemical peel will normally involve some skin peeling in the days after your treatment. Avoid rubbing or picking at your skin at this time. Allow things to happen naturally.

Your practitioner may provide you with skin care products to protect your skin in the days after your chemical peel. Avoid subsequent laser treatments or prolonged sun exposure while your skin is healing from your chemical peel.

Microneedling

Many people have obtained great results in reducing their acne scars after undergoing a microneedling treatment. This minimally invasive technique also helps those with wrinkles, stretch marks and hyperpigmentation.

Microneedling creates microscopic damage in the surface of the skin, which only results in temporary, minor skin redness for a few hours or so. It encourages the turnover of old skin cells that your body replaces with new, fresh skin that develops in the weeks after the treatment.

What To Expect

If necessary, your provider may apply a topical anesthetic to your skin prior to your treatment to ensure your comfort. They will move a microneedling device over the surface of your skin in a series of sweeps. This device is covered in many tiny, sterile needles that pierce the skin to a shallow depth to trigger skin rejuvenation.

The microneedling process will create thousands of microscopic channels in the surface of your skin. Depending upon your arrangement with your provider, they may apply a topical serum to your skin to take advantage of these microscopic channels, allowing the topical to bypass the outer barrier of your skin, greatly increasing product absorption and effectiveness.

Microneedling Aftercare

The degree and duration of skin redness that you will experience after microneedling treatment is largely dependent upon the needle length that your provider will recommend for your individual acne scars. Most people experience only minor skin redness and are able to return to their normal activities immediately after their microneedling treatment.

Where Do We Come In?

Infinity Laser Spa does not offer acne scar treatments at this time, however, we do offer laser hair removal which is gentle on skin for acne prone skin, and those affected with acne scars. Many times individuals will wax or shave, breakout, and make their scars worse. With Laser Hair Removal, there is a more minimized risk, and it is much more gentle on your skin.