Acne is exceedingly common, with the CDC reporting that 80% of people between 11-30 years of age develop acne at some point. One sure way to treat acne scars is by eliminating the source – acne. There are many effective ways to treat acne. In fact, many dermatological treatments are solely focused on treating acne, leaving us to deal with the scars afterwards. Fortunately, there are many treatments available that have been proven to help your acne scars fade, clear up your skin and help even out your skin tone. 

1. Exo Needling

You may have heard of microneedling, but Exo Needling is a different, more intense procedure that has been known to tackle acne scarring. It derives its name from Exo, which is a serum that is very high in growth factors and is derived from the patient’s own blood. Exo Needling includes a combination of both deep microneedling and simultaneous infusion of Exo. This procedure helps promote production of collagen and elastin.

2. Chemical Peels

For a long time, if you wanted to get a chemical peel, you would have to go a professional. Nowadays, you can do it in your own bathroom. Chemical peels that include acids, such as AHAs (i.e. glycolic acid or lactic acid) and BHAs (i.e. salicylic acid), are popular as they can help fix an array of problems including whiteheads and blackheads. At the same time, these acids also help reduce redness, inflammation and blemishes. There are also serums, creams and toners available which contain different strengths of AHAs and BHAs. They can be used over time as part of your daily skincare routine and help to reduce acne scars and improve the texture and tone of the skin. One affordable and effective option is to use The Ordinary for acne scars. The Ordinary is a brand that is well known for making simple, over the counter acne treatments. Their products, which include a glycolic acid toner and a lactic acid serum, work to smooth raised scars and reduce the appearance of dark marks.

3. Retinol

Retinal is a popular product amongst skin enthusiasts due to its anti-ageing properties as well as its ability to even out skin tone and treat acne. Retinol also helps fade acne scars but stimulating skin turnover. Over time, it helps your skin look brighter. In particular, retinol can help patients with darker skin who often develop dark spots known as hyperpigmentation. 

4. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Laser

IPL lasers are a non-invasive and gentle treatment method for acne. It’s great for patients with sensitive skin. Specifically, IPL lasers target bacteria that cause acne, leading to an eventual reduction in acne production. They also help reduce redness and scarring. The downside to IPL lasers is that they are not ideal for darker skin tones as it works better on paler skins. You will also need to undergo many sessions in order to maintain the results. In addition to IPL, there are several other laser treatments for acne scars.

5. Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion refers to a procedure in which a physician “sands” down your skin with a special instrument. It removes the top layer of the skin through the use of a rotating wire brush. Dermabrasion helps remove acne scars and allows for the production of a new, smoother layer of skin to replace the older skin. Not only does it get rid of the older scars but it also helps deeper scars appear less noticeable.

6. Vitamin C and E

Antioxidants are key when it comes to helping treat acne scars and uneven skin tone. Vitamin C has been shown to help brighten kin and lighten up dark spots. Vitamin E, on the other hand, is an antioxidant that protects skin. It seals cracks in the skin and helps repair the damaged skin barrier. Essential, its helps improve the appearance of scars. Vitamin E and C are both available in the form of creams or serums that can be applied night and day.

Many of us suffer from acne and acne scars. Sometimes, you just need to improve your skincare routine. If that doesn’t work, then you need to branch out and try different treatment methods. Dermatological science has improved considerably over the past few decades, with technology now being able to treat acne scars on people with all skin colours and all skin types. Since everyone is different, some treatments might work better on some people over others. The good news is, there are several medically-approved options out there for people struggling with acne scars. Once you find your ideal treatment, stick to it and you will have a scar-free skin in no time!

Dr. Ammar Mahmoud is an expert in the field of minimally invasive, non-surgical cosmetic skin care and acne scar treatment. He is also the founder of Alinea Medical Spa Acne Scar & Laser Skin Care in NYC.