Dark spots usually affect people with darker skin. Acne scars do not go away entirely on their own. Depressed acne scars often become more noticeable with age as skin loses collagen. However, there are a variety of treatments that can make acne scars less noticeable.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation may lighten on its own within several months. However, it may take years to go away without treatment for some people. There are a number of different types of acne scars. They fall into one of the following categories:. As the skin heals from acne, it sometimes produces too much collagen. This leads to the formation of elevated scars. The inflammatory process of acne can result in hyperpigmentation, or deeper coloration where acne has healed.
Hyperpigmentation can also be a temporary side effect of treatments for acne scars, especially in people with darker skin. How you get rid of acne scars will differ depending on what types of scars you have and how severe they are. You should always check in with a dermatologist before trying new acne scar treatments. A doctor can determine that you actually have acne scars and not another condition, as well as recommend the most effective treatment.
Many ingredients in over-the-counter chemical peels have been shown to improve acne scarring and hyperpigmentation by encouraging skin cell turnover. Look for products with the following ingredients:. Acne scars form when the skin produces too little or too much collagen as it heals. There are several different types of acne scars, including icepick, boxcar, rolling atrophic, and raised scars. Acne can also leave behind dark spots known as hyperpigmentation, especially in people with darker skin.
A rapidly rotating wire brush abrades the top layers of the skin. After healing, the look of scars has softened and pitted scars are reduced in depth.
Dermabrasion is used to treat depressed boxcar scarring. This procedure may make ice pick scars look more prominent because while narrow at the skin's surface, they often widen near the base. Once considered the gold standard in acne scar treatment, dermabrasion is used less often in favor of laser resurfacing techniques. Dermabrasion may cause pigmentation changes in darker skin tones.
Not to be confused with dermabrasion, microdermabrasion is a cosmetic procedure that is performed at day spas as well as dermatologists' offices. During a microdermabrasion treatment, a machine discharges ultra-fine aluminum oxide crystals through a tube onto the skin. The crystals are simultaneously vacuumed away. A series of treatments is needed.
As only the surface skin cells are removed, microdermabrasion works best on hyperpigmentation. This treatment won't do anything for pitted or depressed scarring. Another treatment option for depressed acne scars is the use of dermal fillers. A filler substance is injected into the acne scar, elevating the base of the scar so it is more even with the skin's surface. Results are not permanent, so treatment will need to be repeated after several months. Substances used as dermal fillers include human and bovine collagen, hyaluronic acid, and fat transferred from the patient's own body.
Your dermatologist will help you decide which filler will be most appropriate for you. Steroid treatments are often used for raised hypertrophic and keloid scars. Steroids may be injected directly into the scar tissue, causing the tissue to shrink or flatten, softening the scar tissue and improving the overall appearance.
Corticosteroid creams and impregnated tapes which are infused with a corticosteroid, applied over the scar and left on for several hours at a time may also be used to treat hypertrophic scars. This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. If you have cystic or nodular acne, it may be more likely to scar. That's because the blemishes form deep under your skin.
Picking or squeezing pimples may also cause scarring, so it's best to avoid popping them so they'll heal correctly. It probably can't get rid of them, but it may be able to make them lighter. A review found that aloesin, a component in aloe vera , is effective in reducing hyperpigmentation, including the dark marks left behind by acne. It's important to be realistic, and understand that most scars can't be completely erased.
But much improvement can be achieved with the right treatment or combination of treatments. Your dermatologist can recommend the most appropriate scar treatments for you. Many people choose to not treat their scars, and that's OK too.
Remember, the scars are much more obvious to you than they are to anyone else. Dealing with acne can be frustrating. Our free guide provides expert tips to help you take control. Sign up and get yours today. Different cutaneous innate immunity profiles in acne patients with and without atrophic scars.
Eur J Dermatol. Guidance on the diagnosis and clinical management of acne. Clin Exp Dermatol. Woolery-lloyd H, Kammer JN. Treatment of hyperpigmentation. Semin Cutan Med Surg. Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing for atrophic acne scars: a randomized controlled trial with blinded response evaluation. Lasers Surg Med. Fractional nonablative 1,nm laser resurfacing of atrophic acne scars.
A randomized controlled trial with blinded response evaluation. Lasers Med Sci. Clin Plast Surg. Wollina U, Goldman A. Fillers for the improvement in acne scars. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. Acne scars: pathogenesis, classification and treatment. Dermatol Res Pract. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health.
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