Acne scars are permanent changes to the texture of the skin once the original breakout heals.
While acne scars can be an unwanted reminder of a bothersome condition, the good news is that these scars don’t have to be permanent. There are home remedies and salon treatments that can get rid of acne scarring.
What are acne scars?
Acne scars can form during the healing of inflamed blemishes. Skin pores become infected with excess oil, dead skin cells and bacteria. As the pore swells, it can break the follicle wall. While a minor break heals quickly, a severe break can create a deeper area of infection.
The skin attempts to repair itself with collagen fibres, which create a scar. If the skin is aggravated, the scar will form faster and be deeper.
A raised scar forms where too much collagen is produced, and an indented scar forms if the structural tissue of the skin is lost during the healing process.
How are acne scars prevented?
If you have a painful breakout, picking at it can make it much worse. Sun exposure can also result in a more visible scar. To reduce the severity of scarring, it can help to wear sun protection and apply sunscreen when outdoors.
It may seem counter-intuitive, but too much washing or scrubbing can also increase scarring. The sooner inflammatory acne is treated, the less risk there is of scarring.
Can acne scars be removed?
Acne scars can generally be removed with the right treatment. Some treatment options are more effective than others.
Best way to get rid of acne scare at home
We often get asked 'does Salicyclic acid remove acne scars?' and the answers is yes. It is a naturally occurring compound that helps clear skin pores of dirt, skin cells and other debris that contribute to acne.
It can also help to reduce swelling and redness. Sometimes salicylic acid can temporarily make inflamed acne worse, so use it sparingly at first and discontinue if you find it increases inflammation. The good news is, there are many other creams and gels available to treat acne scars at home.
- Vitamin B3 for acne scars is a soothing anti-inflammatory that reduces redness and irritation while helping to regulate sebum production to prevent further blocked pores.
- Retinoids help to stop inflammation and reduce acne lesions. Retinoids act by boosting the skins natural collagen production and skin cell regeneration for smoother skin.
- Natural remedies include coconut oil, shea butter, aloe vera gel, raw honey, lemon juice and baking soda. As the science behind these is unclear, these remedies may cause further irritation and should be used cautiously.
- Microneedling can be done at home using a dermaroller to help to boost collagen and elastin production. Tiny needles puncture the skin to create micro-injuries which stimulate the repair process. It’s easy to over-treat with a dermaroller though, so microneedling may be safer when done at a salon.
Professional salon acne scar removal
If home remedies haven’t been effective, you probably still want to be rid of acne scarring. A skin therapist can help with medical treatment to reduce the appearance of scars.
Our salon acne scar treatments include:
Vivace RF microneedling
The combination of microneedling and radiofrequency (RF) energy stimulates new collagen and elastin to reduce scarring and improve skin texture.
This minimally invasive treatment targets acne scarring, improves skin elasticity and tightens the skin. Results may be seen with as few as two treatments. For the best results, we recommend three to five treatments, spaced four weeks apart.
Fraxel 1550NM
This laser treatment is specifically designed to treat deeper skin conditions like acne scarring. The laser beam resurfaces the skin to improve the tone and texture by accelerating new collagen and elastin formation.
Fraxel laser treatment can be used on the face, neck, chest, arms or legs to improve the appearance and texture of the skin. Results are usually seen around one week after the first treatment. Some skin conditions may need more than one treatment to reach the desired outcome.
Skin needling
Medik8 skin needling is a safe skin renewal technique that can reduce scarring without removing the surface of the skin. This means there is no post-treatment sensitivity to UV light.
Unlike other treatments, skin needling is suitable for all skin types, even fragile skin around the eyes, mouth, hands, neck and decolletage. Optimum results can be achieved with a minimum of three treatments, spaced six weeks apart.
Visible improvement to the skin is usually seen six weeks after treatment, and improvements continue for up to a year or longer.
