If you suffer from moderate to severe acne, then chances are you also suffer from acne scarring. Fortunately, acne scars are no longer something you have to live with; there are now many ways to lighten or help acne scars fade completely.

Acne Fade Creams and Topical Products

There are many topical products available that claim to reduce acne scarring, but buyer beware: not all of them work. To find a product that will actually help, check out the product’s ingredients. For example, Shea butter and cocoa butter have been proven to lessen the look of acne scars over time.

If your acne scars are red and inflamed, then the best thing to use is cortisone. Cortisone  is absorbed by the skin and relieves inflammation and irritations and is available without a prescription. Fade creams containing Arbutin, Vitamin C, and Kojic acid can help reduce the appearance of acne scars as well.

Acne Laser Treatments and Fillers

If topical treatments don’t produce the results that you would like there are other cosmetic procedures you can try.

Laser resurfacing treatments or laser peels remove the surface layers of skin in order to even out the look and feel of your skin.

This process stimulates the production of new collagen, a protein found in skin cells, and lessens the look of acne scars. You may need multiple laser treatments in order to get the results you desire. Ablative lasers can also be used to resurface your skin to remove acne scars.

Laser treatments are not suitable for all skin types and tones, so be sure to discuss the procedure with your cosmetic surgeon before going through with the procedure.

Darker skin tones, for example, are subject to hyperpigmentation which means that their scarring may become darker as a result of the laser treatment. However, there are many lasers that are specially made for dark skin types in order to combat this issue. You can use filler injections such as collagen or steroids to lighten the appearance of acne scarring as well, but they need to be reapplied every 4 to 6 months in order to be effective.

Other Possible Treatments

Many of the same treatments that work to fight acne also help to fight against acne scars. For example face masks, scrubs, and chemical peels that are specially formulated to help combat acne are also really effective in treating acne scars. While ‘Bio Oil’ is very effective when used for surgical scars, it has little to no effect on acne scars.

Be sure to avoid the sun because exposing your scars to UV rays which can darken your scars and hinder the healing process. If you are going to be outside for any extended period of time be sure to use a sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher.

A diet high in sugars or starch can have an adverse effect on your acne scars, worsening their appearance and making them harder to get rid of. For skin that is resilient against acne scars, one should consume a diet high in super foods such as avocados, olive oil and anything rich in antioxidants.

It can take up to a year, but acne scars will eventually fade on their own. Avoid picking, scratching, or peeling your acne scars as this will hinder the healing process and increase the risk of developing infections.

Don’t let acne scarring stop people from seeing the real you. If you have any additional questions or concerns, or if you would like to schedule an appointment for treatment or a consultation, please contact Eastlake Cosmetic Surgery today.