Does it feel like no matter what you do, it's impossible to get rid of acne scars? Don't worry — you're not alone. Acne scarring and other scar types are common issues that affect many people and can cause low self-esteem.
The good news is that there is hope for healing these pesky scars!
You and your skincare routine can take a breather because there are specialized products, medical procedures, and natural alternatives to heal scars from acne.
By consistently implementing one or a combination of the treatments we offer in our clinic at derm.ca, in combination with the right skincare routine, you will see results quickly.
You can schedule online consultations with us here.
Understanding the scar tissue – How do scars form?
A scar is your body's natural technique of recovering a wound and sealing the skin. (source)
Not all acne turns into scars, but those that do are either caused by too much collagen or too little collagen production in the skin. Scars form when inflammatory acne, such as red pimples, pus pimples, and cysts, can't adequately heal.
The pimple forms in the root of the hair follicle, gets bigger and more swollen with time, and eventually — explodes, destroying the healthy dermal tissue. The pus spills out into the surrounding tissue, further damaging the skin.
As a core structural protein in skin, collagen fights the rupture of acne in the dermis (the second layer of skin under the epidermis).
Collagen repairs the tissue to an extent, but this process is imperfect, and often, the body doesn’t produce enough collagen to mend every inch of skin.
Acne scars leave a mark on your skin by destroying the dermal tissue. The worse the inflammation of acne, the worse the scar!
Different types of scars require different treatments
All skin can scar due to various factors. Each type of scar requires dedicated scar therapy to bring back the power to the skin:
- Acne scars are mostly atrophic, meaning the scar forms low below the surrounding normal tissue, thanks to low collagen proliferation. A small, light, but visible acne scar can be in the shape of a crater (rolling), ice pick, and box.
- Surgical scars form when the skin has been cut or opened during an operation. Larger incisions may result in more prominent scars because they have more surface area that collagen needs to repair.
- Keloid scars form a bump on the skin expanding beyond the wound due to high amounts of collagen. It must be treated with laser/surgically because damaged scar tissue can’t fade away.
- Post mole removal scars form after the wound from the procedure heals. It takes around 2-3 weeks for its scars to fade, while young skin heals more ably due to more elasticity (collagen).
- Hypertrophic scars are acne scars thick-raised above the skin surface. Opposite of an atrophic, there is too much collagen in the dermis that overflows and creates a hypertrophic bump.
- Burn and traumatic scars are a type of severe, hypertrophic scarring that can be treated to an extent with CO2 lasers and surgery.
Silicone gels + Retinol, vitamin K, and sunscreen
Silicone Gel for Scars | Best Silicone Scar Gel | Revoderm
What type of scars can it treat?
Silicone gels are very effective in treating acne, burn, keloid, hypertrophic and cesarean scars. They reduce redness, itching, and further development of scar tissue.
How it works
Silicon gels hydrate your skin tissue, smoothen your skin and flatten the scar.
How long does it take to see results
For best results in treating scars, you should consistently use silicone gel for about three months to see scars fading.
What ingredients to look for
The key ingredient in silicone gels for treating scars is medical-grade silicones. They are practical and known for their durability - they have no expiration date and a gentle approach to the skin, making them suitable even for children.
Pros & cons of silicone gels
Silicone gels are generally safe, but you can be allergic to them. If you feel itchy sensations followed by skin redness, wash it off with cold water and consult your dermatologist for further use of silicone gel.
Expert advice
For best results, we recommend a combination of Revolux silicone gel, Vitamin K cream for redness relief, and retinol for skin regeneration. Mineral sunscreen is a must for successful scar treatment as it prevents sun damage and protects skin that has undergone various scar removal treatments.
Further down, you can read more about scar removal treatments that we practice at our professional clinic derm.ca.
Laser therapy
What type of scars can it treat?
Laser therapy is the best way to treat atrophic scars, hypertrophic, and keloid scars. This method can't remove scars altogether, but it's proven to help treat injury, burn, acne scars, dark spots, age spots, and other types of hyperpigmentation.
How it works
It uses focused light therapy to remove the first skin layer and encourage the production of new skin cells.
How long does it take to see results
Laser therapy is effective in skin healing within 3 to 10 days after the procedure.
What to look out for?
After laser therapy, avoid direct sunlight, apply a cold cloth to the treated area to reduce swelling, take some pain medication if needed, and wash and hydrate the skin regularly.
Avoid direct sun exposure and use SPF with moisturizers and serums with antioxidants that help promote healing and reduce inflammation.
Average cost
Costs of these treatments vary from 200$ up to 3000$.
Pros & cons
Laser therapy is very effective and has minimal adverse side effects. It is, however, a costly treatment.
Steroids
What type of scars can it treat?
Steroids are injected directly into a hypertrophic or keloid scar to help prevent further scar tissue growth.
How it works
Steroids slow collagen production and further flatten the scar tissue, helping it blend into the healthy skin surrounding it and even shrink the scar.
How long does it take to see results
You may see treatment results after only two weeks, but some have different experiences, seeing results after a couple of months. Keloid and hypertrophic scars often require multiple steroid injections for weeks or months.
What to look out for?
With steroids, there is a risk of delayed reactions. Reactions can be white or brown marks on the skin, increased hair growth in the treated area, and steroid-induced acne.
Average cost
Steroid injections cost from about 75$ to 250$ per session.
Chemical peels
What type of scars can it treat?
Chemical peels are skin treatments to treat acne scars, wrinkles, fine lines, and discolored skin.
How it works
The chemicals burn the top layers of the skin, revealing a fresh skin layer, removing superficial acne scars, and minimizing the appearance of deeper scars.
Pros & cons of dermal fillers
Chemical peels offer dramatic results but also require a long time to recover. The procedure lasts about 20 minutes; however, the chemicals work on your skin in the following days.
What to look out for?
Chemical peels can be intense, so a professional, certified dermatologist must perform this treatment on you. There are risks involved, like skin discoloration and worsening of existing skin problems.
With stronger chemical peels, you can expect an increasingly uncomfortable stinging sensation, a tight feeling, and a red appearance of the skin in the first three days, after which the skin starts to peel. During this time, generously use a thick, fragrance-free moisturizer to soothe and minimize the pain.
How long does it take to see results
Four to 10 days after your skin peels, you will start to see fresh, healthy skin forming. Resist the urge to pick and peel the skin, as you can prolong the healing process.
Average cost
Professional chemical peels cost 500$ on average but can go up to 6000$!
Microneedling
How it works
Microneedling is a treatment that uses miniature needles to micro-puncture the skin, which causes slight injury to the skin. The skin then responds with new collagen production that makes the skin smoother.
What type of scars can it treat?
It helps reduce the appearance of acne scars, enlarged pores, hyperpigmentation, and stretch marks. Microneedling is for the face, thighs, and abdominal area.
Pros & cons of dermal fillers
Microneedling is known for minimal downtime, unlike some procedures. It can be performed on any skin tone, and your skin will be more sensitive after the treatment.
What to look out for?
You can expect mild side effects like skin irritation and mild redness. Contact your doctor in case of severe side effects such as bleeding, infection, skin peeling, or bruising.
You shouldn't undertake this treatment if you have active acne, open wounds, psoriasis, or eczema. It is advised you stop using medications such as ibuprofen, as well as retinoids and exfoliants.
Average cost
Costs of microneedling start at 150$ and go up to 800$ per session.
Dermal fillers
How it works
Derma filler therapy is a treatment in which a collagen-stimulating chemical is injected directly into the scar to fill up the dented area.
How long does it take to see results
Results with filler are almost instant. After injection, you may notice some swelling that fades in a few hours.
What type of scars can it treat?
Filler therapy is effective for soft tissue scars, rolling, and boxcar scars -- for facial atrophic scars.
What to look out for?
After injection, you may notice swelling, redness, irritation, and bruising. These are expected reactions and will fade from the skin quickly. Test if you are allergic to the chemicals before injecting!
Pros & cons of dermal fillers
These procedures do not heal the skin but temporarily fill it and require touch-ups every year. Depending on your metabolic rhythm, in some cases, your body can biodegrade the filler in only a few months, and frequent touch-ups may be expensive.
Average cost
The filler cost varies depending on the chemical and amount needed for your scar. One syringe of hyaluronic acid filler costs around 600$.
OTC creams
How it works
OTC creams combine healing ingredients, all working together to boost collagen production and hydrate the skin.
What type of scars can it treat?
OTC creams can heal minor, topical scars. They help with itching, irritation, and dryness that scars and scar treatments can cause.
How long does it take to see results
Results with OTC creams take time and effort. Consistent use of these products will show fading of scars after a few weeks of routine application.
Average cost
OTC creams come in various shapes, like creams, gels, and serums, and their prices start at 10$.
What to look out for?
Remember that even though these creams help heal scars, they don't protect them from sun damage. Sun exposure can worsen the appearance of scars, so combining OTC scar removal creams with an SPF cream is essential.
Pros & cons of OTC creams
While OTC creams are very accessible, they do require consistency and patience to notice significant results.
Natural remedies and how effective they really are?
You can treat scars with topical creams or plastic surgery, but natural remedies sometimes do the same job. With natural remedies, you must be consistent and repeat the process as often as possible to see results.
Among the most effective natural treatments for acne scars are:
1. Tea tree oil is known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which is why it’s a powerful natural acne treatment.
How to use: Dilute a few drops of tea tree in carrier oil (both coconut oil and jojoba help treat scarring).
This way, you create a mild face toner that you can use to spritz your whole face.
Or apply tea tree oil directly to pimples with a Q-tip.
2. Lemon juice: due to high levels of vitamin C, lemon has anti-pigmentation effects and can be safely applied a few times a week. Be cautious if you have sensitive skin; perform a patch test first.
How to use: Dab a cotton ball in lemon juice and spread gently on the face. Keep on the skin for 10 minutes, then rinse with water.
3. Cucumber and yogurt face mask: Cucumbers have vitamin E naturally, so they reduce the redness and pain of scars due to cooling anti-inflammatory properties. Yogurt has Zinc (vitamin B2) that naturally reduces dark spots, heals wounds, and promotes new cell growth.
How to use: blend cucumber and yogurt in a runny paste and keep it on for as long as possible.
What’s the right approach for you?
Anything concerning your skin, body, and health is unique to you, so the best approach for acne scars is to research and try different treatment options.
Start with the least invasive methods, topicals, and medicine to prevent further skin damage.
Always wear sunscreen to avoid melanin production (the driving cause of hyperpigmentation), and never pick your pimples, acne, or wounds, as that could prolong the healing process.
Age, genetics, and overall health affect how effectively wounds heal and how scarring occurs.
Who are we, and why should you trust us?
Revoderm Pharma was founded by a triple-certified dermatologist, dermatopathologist, and laboratory medicine specialist Dr. Ken Alanen and skincare and medical cosmetic specialist, Ildiko Juhasz, with 20+ years of clinical experience.
Together, they have created a unique fusion of clinical dermatology and laboratory medicine — a medical-grade luxury skincare line — ensuring that our products are backed by solid scientific research.
Revoderm Pharma has been trusted by patients and clients at Derm.ca, a leading dermatology and laser cosmetic practice, for over a decade. Our products are not only tested, but have consistently delivered real results in clinical settings, giving you peace of mind knowing that a proven track record backs your skincare.
Schedule consultations with us for a personalized skin program based on your skin type.
