Acne Scarring Treatment for Adults

If you have dealt with acne in the past, you may have to deal with the aftermath of acne scars now. Fortunately, if you are looking to get rid of them, you have many options. There is no one-size-fits-all acne scarring treatment; that’s why so many treatments are available.

There are four main types of acne scars, including ice pick scars, boxcar scars, rolling scars and keloid stars. The type of scar you have is according to the type of acne you had. Acne is caused when a hair follicle pore becomes clogged with oil, keratin, dead skin cells and bacteria. When the cell is open, it looks black because of dirt and is called a blackhead. When it is white, there is only pus and it is called a whitehead.

The right treatment for adult acne scars depends on the type of scar you have. After your acne scars are examined by our specialist during your consultation, one or a combination of the following treatments may be prescribed.

• Dermal fillers can be injected as an effective treatment for deep scars. By lifting and volumizing the skin, they minimize the appearance of acne scars and make the affected skin look smoother. These injections can be repeated regularly to maintain your results.
• Energy-based procedures include laser resurfacing and pulsed light sources. Ablative procedures use heat to remove thin layers of damaged skin, revealing the smoother skin underneath. Non-ablative procedures help activate the natural production of collagen to smoothen the scar. Pulsed dye laser treatment is also available to treat areas that have been left darkened or discolored from acne.
• Chemical Reconstruction of Skin Scars (CROSS) is an innovative acne scarring treatment that uses trichloroacetic acid. This method is especially effective for deeper scars.
• Surgery can be performed for large, deep scars. Our practice offers two types of surgery for acne scar removal: subcision and punch grafting.

Subcision is a minor surgery that involves lifting the affected skin by breaking up the fibers that make up the scar. This evens the skin and reduces the scar’s appearance. Punch grafting involves punches out the scar and replacing it with grafts of new skin.

Acne most commonly develops in teenagers and young adults, but anyone can get acne at any age. If you had acne and were left with unwanted scars, one or more of these treatments may be able to remove them or significantly reduce their appearance. With so many options available, it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. That’s where the experts at Metro Dermatology can help. We gladly provide patients in the Elmhurst, NY and surrounding areas with skilled, comprehensive care. If you have spent years hiding or covering acne scars, you don’t have to any longer. Call us today to schedule your consultation!