How to Get Rid of Acne Scars: Creams, Treatments, Lasers

Acne scars develop when your body produces either too much or too little collagen after a breakout. Scars can be depressed and pitted if you don’t produce enough collagen, or thick and raised if you produce too much.

Mild to moderate acne scars can be treated with home remedies such as topical creams, microdermabrasion kit, or silicone pads. Meanwhile, stubborn scars may require prescription medications or an in-office procedure by a dermatologist.

Learn more about treating acne scars, including how to get rid of them at home, as well as available prescription treatments and procedures.

How to get rid of acne scars at home

There are several ways you can try to get rid of your acne scars at home. Examples of over-the-counter (OTC) acne scar treatments include:

• Silicone pads: Silicone pads – also known as silicone adhesives, sheets or bandages – have been used for years to reduce the appearance of raised scars. They are most effective when used on a long-term basis.
• Subjects: Mild to moderately depressed scars can sometimes be treated with at-home chemical peels, face masks, and topical creams. Look for products that contain active ingredients such as salicylic acid, lactic acid, retinol, azelaic acid or glycolic acid.
• Microdermabrasion kit: Microdermabrasion works by using tiny crystals to exfoliate the top layer of skin and stimulate collagen production. At-home microdermabrasion kits can help treat mildly depressed acne scars.

Recipes to get rid of acne scars

Acne scars that don’t go away with home treatment may require prescription medications. Topical creams commonly prescribed to reduce the appearance of acne scars include:

• Tretinoin: Tretinoin is a prescription retinoid that can be applied as a topical cream to treat both acne and acne scars. It has been found to make raised scars appear flatter and treat related skin problems such as hyperpigmentation.
• Tazarotene: Tazarotene, another topical retinoid, can also minimize the appearance of thick, raised scars.
• Immunomodulators: Studies show that certain prescription drugs known as immunomodulators, such as Zyclara or Aldara (imiquimod), may help flatten and heal keloid scars.

Procedures to get rid of acne scars

If your acne scars do not fade after trying the above methods, you may need to undergo a procedure with a dermatologist. Procedures that treat acne scars include:

• Skin Rejuvenation Treatments: Skin resurfacing treatments remove layers of skin and may include the top and some middle layers. This prompts your body to start producing more collagen and creating new skin cells. Examples include chemical peels, dermabrasion and professional microdermabrasion.
• Radio frequency: Radiofrequency uses heat energy to stimulate collagen production in the deeper layers of the skin. This method of skin tightening can treat depressed acne scars.
• Injections: Corticosteroid, interferon, and/or fluorouracil injections can help flatten raised scars. For best results, most people need to receive injections every few weeks for a period of time.
• Microneedling: Microneedling promotes collagen production by making small wounds in the skin with tiny needles. It is particularly effective in treating depressed scars.
• Fillers: Depressed scars can be treated and “filled” with the help of temporary, semi-permanent or permanent injectable fillers, such as hyaluronic acid.
• Cryosurgery: Cryosurgery, which works by freezing and “killing” scar tissue, is often used in conjunction with corticosteroid injections to treat raised scars.
• Laser treatment: Ablative laser therapy is a skin resurfacing procedure that works by vaporizing layers of tissue. Non-ablative laser treatment also stimulates skin regeneration, but is less invasive.
• Surgery: In severe cases, surgery may be required to “lift” a depressed scar or remove a raised scar. Acne scar surgery is sometimes performed in conjunction with corticosteroid injections.

Time: How long does it take for acne scars to disappear?

Many acne scars only take a few weeks to go away on their own. Deeper or more stubborn acne scars may take a year or more to fade. Some depression acne scars can be permanent.

After acne scar treatment, you may also need downtime. For example, it can take up to 10 days for your skin to heal afterwards laser treatment. Meanwhile, your skin may take several weeks to recover from a dermabrasion session.

See a dermatologist for acne scars

If your acne scars don’t go away on their own or with home remedies, consider seeing a board-certified dermatologist. They can recommend prescription treatments or procedures based on your symptoms, type acne scar(s) you also have your medical history.

You can search for a dermatologist in your area using the online database hosted by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Look for a healthcare provider who is listed as a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology (FAAD), meaning they are board certified in their field and up to date with continuing clinical education.

Summary

Available treatments for acne scars include silicone patches, topical OTC and prescription creams, microdermabrasion, skin regeneration processesradio frequencies, laser therapy, surgery, cryosurgery, fillers, microneedling and injections.

Acne scars can be treated effectively. See a dermatologist for help if your scars don’t go away on their own.