Whether you struggled with acne during your hormonal teenage years or still deal with it today, it can leave your skin looking rough and uneven. Acne scars can be challenging to get rid of and significantly affect the texture of your skin. However, you have several effective treatment options that can restore a smoother, more even surface.
What are the Best Treatments for Acne Scars?
Topical at-home treatments are rarely powerful enough to treat deep textural issues like acne scars. The most effective options target not only the uneven texture but also post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that comes from severe acne. These skin resurfacing treatments are highly customizable and allow you to choose the one that suits your needs and lifestyle.
How Long Does Acne Scar Treatment Take?
Many acne scar treatment works by triggering new collagen production within your skin, firming and smoothing it. However, this process takes time. Most people will need a series of sessions to achieve their goals. Factors that affect how long your treatment takes depend on:
- The severity of your acne scars
- Other skin concerns you want to treat
- The type and intensity of your treatment
- How far apart your sessions are spaced
The results of treatments that stimulate collagen formation can take about three months to develop, although you may see some improvements in less time.
Types of Acne Scar Treatment
Because they improve your skin in multiple ways, acne scar treatments can also treat a wide range of other concerns, including fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, and skin laxity.
Microneedling
Radiofrequency (RF) microneedling creates tiny channels in the skin that reach into the dermis, where they transmit energy that causes more collagen production. Skin cells around the injured areas release growth and healing factors that rejuvenate the skin’s surface. We use Genius RF microneedling for superior results with less downtime.
Laser Treatments
The Fraxel® Dual Laser works on the deep layers of the skin without affecting the surface. It offers some of the most dramatic results of any noninvasive laser treatment. These results come with minimal downtime, and most people see noticeable results with one treatment. More severe acne scars usually require several sessions.
The Halo™ Hybrid Fractional Laser works in two ways, resurfacing the outer layers of the skin while stimulating cells in the deeper layers to make more collagen. Along with effectively treating acne scars, it results in a luminous glow and improved clarity.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels work in a different way than the previous options. They resurface the skin by removing damaged outer layers to allow fresh new cells to emerge. Over time, a series of chemical peels can remove the layers damaged by acne scars, leaving your skin smooth. They are one of the most customizable treatment options.
Take the First Step
Interested in learning more about acne scar treatment? We would love to speak with you. Please fill out the form on this page to request a consultation or call our Chevy Chase, MD office today at (301) 798-9699 to schedule your private consultation at our laser and cosmetic dermatology center, located just blocks away from Washington, D.C.
