Can You Get Rid of Acne Scars? Your Questions Answered

If you’ve struggled with acne, you’re likely all too familiar with the scars it can leave behind. Acne scarring can be an extremely distressing condition to deal with, particularly since it serves as a constant reminder of the emotional trauma at the time of the original acne. While there are plenty of at-home treatments promising results, the truth is, many of these solutions aren’t effective in significantly improving scars. There are effective treatments available in clinic that can significantly improve the appearance of your scars – especially laser treatments – although no treatment is able to get rid of scars completely.

Acne scars occur when acne lesions inflame the skin deeply enough to damage the tissue beneath it. When your body tries to heal these damaged areas, it does so by creating scar tissue. Acne scars can look different depending on their type:

• Atrophic scars: These are scars that are indented in areas where tissue has been permanently lost. There are three main types of atrophic scars: ice pick, which look like a small slit in the skin, similar to what you might imagine an ice pick might make; rolling scars, which are depressed areas of the skin; and boxcar scars which are said to look more ‘punched out’. The thing that all of these scar types have in common is that they are the result of tissue loss.
• Hypertrophic scars: These are raised scars that are caused by too much collagen production during healing. They look more like raised bumps on the skin and are often associated with red or brown marks on the skin which are the result of longer term inflammation.

Understanding your acne scars can help you choose the right treatment.

While completely removing acne scars might not be achievable, significant improvement is possible – especially when combination treatments are employed. Acne scars are famously stubborn, and results can vary greatly from person to person depending on scar severity. However, advanced combination treatments can reduce the appearance of acne scars, enhancing your skin’s texture and boosting your confidence.

Acne scarring treatments fall into several categories:

At-home treatments

• Topical creams and gels
• Microneedling devices

Dermatological treatments

• Chemical peels
• Steroid injections (particularly effective for hypertrophic scars)
• Botox (used occasionally to reduce the appearance of scars by relaxing surrounding skin – especially on the forehead or around the eyes)
• Filler injections – this is especially effective for atrophic scars where loss of fat below the scar makes the lesion look deeper and more noticeable.

Surgical treatments

• Minor surgical techniques, such as punch excision. This is especially helpful for ice pick scars.

Laser treatments are particularly effective and are generally considered the most effective treatment. At McKeown Medical, we specialise in several advanced laser treatments:

• Full Laser Resurfacing: Ideal for deeply scarred skin, this intensive treatment significantly improves texture by removing the outer layers of skin and stimulating collagen production during the healing process.
• ProFractional Laser Treatment: Targets specific areas with precision, allowing for faster healing despite going very deep within the skin.
• HALO Laser Treatment: Combines both ablative and non-ablative technology to deliver impressive improvement in scars associated with poor skin texture. This treatment has the benefit of less downtime.
• BBL® Treatment: Intense pulsed light therapy that gently addresses redness and pigmentation issues often associated with acne scars. We normally use this as an adjunct to other types of laser when treating acne scars.

Each treatment has its own indications, and at McKeown Medical, we’ll help identify the best approach tailored to your skin and your particular pattern of scarring.

While acne scars can be tough, achieving clearer, smoother skin is entirely possible. McKeown Medical has proven results in reducing acne scarring, helping many patients regain their confidence. Our expert team will work closely with you to achieve the best possible outcomes through advanced laser treatments.

At McKeown Medical, we can help you achieve the results you desire with our range of laser treatments. Book a consultation to discuss the options that would be right for you.

Check out our gallery to see patient results.

Want to learn more?

Watch our expert, Dr Rhona Cameron, discuss treatment options and get started on your journey today.