Acne is the most common skin condition worldwide. Most people get it during their teen years. Only in America, over 50 million people are suffering from acne annually. Globally, the number is well over 100 million.

Sometimes acne disappears on its own, while other times it is needed an intervention. In both cases, many people end up with deep acne scars. Acne scars look unpleasant, but fortunately, you can deal with it.

In the following guide, we will explain how to make deep acne scars go away once and for all. But before we go into treatment strategies, we need to understand the type of acne scars.

  1. Types of acne scars

There are five types of deep acne scars:

  • Ice pick
  • Box Scar
  • Hypertrophic
  • Rolling
  • Brown Marks

Ice pick, box scar, and rolling scar belong to a subgroup known as atrophic scars. If the scar is in the form of a bump than it is considered to be a keloid or a Hypertrophic.

On the other hand, the brown marks can hardly be called scars as they fade away on their own after a while. However, that while can last for years if not treated. Brown marks are also known as hyperpigmentation.

  1. How to find your type of acne scars?

  • Staring in front of a window during daylight is not enough, and you won’t be able to see so much. What you need to do instead is use angled light, change angles, and dimming angles.
  • That should help you to reveal the depth and the type of your acne scars. But don’t be surprised to see that you got more than one type of scars.

  1. How to deal with deep acne scars

Fractionated Lasers

  • They are a bit costly but very effective in treating deep acne scars. They use focused laser energy to “burn” the damaged skin and allow for a new one to come instead.
  • The heat that comes out of them also stimulates collagen production which results to a healthier looking skin texture. There are several possible side effects: skin bleaching, hyperpigmentation, and redness.
  • The entire procedure takes four to five days and the recovery time is usually from three to five weeks.

Microdermabrasion

  • This procedure uses a special tool featuring an abrasive end such as a wire brush or a wheel. The abrasive end is used to remove the top skin layer of the scar so that new skin can grow freely on its place.
  • Slight swelling and skin redness are possible side effects, but even when they appear, they tend to vanish on their own in a matter of days. The procedure is very useful for rolling scars, box scars, and brown marks.

Chemical Peel

  • This is a technique that uses a specially designed chemical formula that is applied to the area with deep acne. It is very effective in removing the superficial top layer of the skin.
  • These peels are based on a formula that has a high concentration of acid (50 to 70%). Because of that, only a trained professional should perform this procedure.
  • After the procedure, the patient needs to avoid the heavy sunlight and follow a strict cleansing regime.

Skin Needling

This procedure uses a tool that has a wheel with micro-needles on top of it. The micro-needles cause micro-wounds and trigger skin regeneration.

When it comes to deep acne, it needs to be combined with radiofrequency therapy. The side effects are rare, but when they happen, they are in the form of redness, some swelling, or minor bleeding. They usually go away in two to four days.

Conclusion

Whatever you choose as a treatment, make sure that you first talk to a dermatologist. The procedures above are just a fraction of what’s available nowadays.

What is common for the ones mentioned above is that they are proven to be very effective.

Do deep acne scars go away?

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.

How do you get rid of deep scars?

Surgical removal or treatment.

There are many options to treat deeper scars depending on your particular case. These include skin grafts, excision, dermabrasion, or laser surgery. In a skin graft, the surgeon uses skin from another area of your body. This is often used with people who’ve had burns.

Does Vaseline help scarring?

Petroleum jelly prevents the wound from drying out and forming a scab; wounds with scabs take longer to heal. This will also help prevent a scar from getting too large, deep or itchy.

How do you fade old scars?

Home remedies
  1. Silicone sheets and gel. Share on Pinterest Applying silicone sheets or gel to the skin may help to improve the appearance of a scar.
  2. Onion extract to remove scars. One of the most well-known natural remedies for scar treatment is onion extract.
  3. Chemical exfoliators.
  4. Sun protection.

What heals scars fast?

Keep the wound moist.

Apply petroleum jelly to the wound and cover it with a non-stick bandage. This can speed healing and minimize scarring, says Krant.

What is best for scars?

1. Mederma Advanced Scar Gel. Mederma Advanced Scar Gel is one of the most popular and effective all-around treatments for a variety of scars. The Mederma website state that the cream is effective for both new and old scars from issues such as acne, surgeries, as well as burns and cuts.

How do you fade old acne scars?

How to get rid of your acne scars
  1. Laser treatments. Vascular-specific lasers target blood vessels and can help lighten flat or raised scars that are pink or purple and help flatten raised scars.
  2. Chemical peels. Your dermatologist may apply a chemical solution to the skin.
  3. Microneedling.

Does vitamin C help acne scars?

Vitamin C treats acne scars by increasing the synthesis of collagen, a protein responsible for your skin’s structure and vital for rebuilding healthy skin. As a result, this vitamin may accelerate the healing of acne wounds ( 6 , 12 , 13 ).

What do acne scars look like?

Acne scars range in appearance from shallow, mottled depressions, sometimes called rolling scars, to deep and narrow depressions.

What type of acne leaves holes?

Pockmarks, which are also called pick marks or acne scars, are blemishes with a concave shape that can look like holes or indentations in the skin. They occur when the deeper layers of the skin become damaged. As these deeper layers heal, extra collagen is produced.

How do you fix Rolling acne scars?

Rolling acne scars are typically treated with subcision, a procedure in which a small needle is inserted under an acne scar with the goal of releasing the fibrosis tissue that teethers the scar and causes the depression.

How do you fill acne holes?

Healthcare providers use fillers to fill in acne scars and help even out the skin. The fillers can be made with collagen, your own fat, or a commercial filler. They’re injected under the surface of the skin to help plump up and smooth out depressed scars.

Can pitted acne scars heal naturally?

Most severe acne scars never completely go away, despite treatment. But ice pick scars can decrease in appearance with time and patience. Work with your dermatologist to determine the best approach for your ice pick scars.

How can I fill my acne holes at home?

Home remedies that people have traditionally used to treat acne scars include:
  1. coconut oil.
  2. shea butter.
  3. aloe vera gel.
  4. raw honey.
  5. baking soda.
  6. lemon juice.

Can you fix pockmarks?

For pockmarks, ablative laser resurfacing works by removing thin layers of your skin. This is considered the most invasive form of laser resurfacing, and you‘ll need one to two weeks of recovery time. However, the results tend to last for years without additional treatment.

Will acne craters go away?

Most of the time, those reddish or brownish acne marks that are left behind after pimples clear up will fade with no need for treatment. Picking or squeezing acne can increase the risk for scarring, though. Acne scars take two forms: scars with a gradual dip or depression (sometimes called “rolling” scars)

Do depressed scars fill in?

With certain depressed scars, dermal grafts (skin taken from behind the ear) or fat taken from the body can be used to “fill” under the scar (or wrinkle).