How Can You Get Your Acne Scars to Go Away?

Medically reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MD

Acne scars are visibly raised or pitted marks on the skin that are the result of inflammation from acne, a skin condition that causes inflamed, swollen, and red bumps called pimples. Acne can also cause non-inflammatory whiteheads (a closed pore, or comedo, that appears white or flesh-colored) or blackheads (an open pore, or comedo, that appears dark).

An active outbreak of acne damages the skin and the tissue beneath the skin. As the acne clears up, the body tries to repair the damage by producing collagen, a structural protein that supports the skin, muscles, and connective tissues (such as bones and tendons). If the body produces too much or too little collagen as it tries to heal acne blemishes, a scar will form.

Some people are more likely to see acne scars when their acne clears. The risk is higher if you have inflammatory acne, if you delay treatment, if you frequently touch your acne, or if you have a family member or blood relative who has experienced acne scarring. Fortunately, with proper precautions and care, there are ways to prevent acne scarring from happening in the first place.

To help reduce or get rid of acne scarring, possible treatments include acne scar surgery, injections, laser treatments, and resurfacing procedures such as chemical peels.

Types of Acne Scars

There are three main types of acne scars: atrophic (depressed or pitted), hypertrophic (raised), and keloidal (a thick, raised scar). The amount of collagen your body makes affects the type of scar that shows up on your skin.

Depressed (Atrophic) Scars

These acne scars typically form on the face. This type consists of boxcar, rolling, or ice pick scars. Atrophic scars (which present as depressions or pits) are the result of your body producing too little collagen as the skin heals.

Ice pick scars are typically around 2 millimeters (mm) or less in diameter are narrow, deep, V-shaped tracts that run vertically to the deep middle layer of skin (dermis) or to the subcutaneous tissue (layer of tissue underneath the skin). Rolling scars are larger and wider than ice pick scars, running up to 5 mm in diameter. Boxcar scars are round-to-oval depressions with sharp, vertical edges. This type of scar ranges in width (from 1.5 to 4 mm) and do not taper to a point at the base.

Raised (Hypertrophic) Scars

These acne scars commonly form on the back and chest, but these can also form on the face too. This type of raised scar occurs when your body produces too much collagen during the healing process. It is more common in people of African-American, Hispanic, and Asian descent.

Keloidal Scars

These scars are thick, raised, reddish-purple scars that are commonly seen on the chest and shoulders. This type of scar often extends beyond the borders of the original wound and can be a bit more challenging to treat.

Can Acne Scars Go Away?

Acne scars range in size and severity. If acne scars are more severe or are affecting your quality of life or mental health, schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional or board-certified dermatologist (a medical doctor who specializes in conditions that affect the skin, hair, and nails). A healthcare provider will be able to assess your symptoms and develop a personalized treatment plan for you.

The good news is that acne scars can be lessened or eradicated over time and with the right treatment. Most treatments will reduce the size and look of acne scars with minimal to no downtime so you can return to your daily activities after treatment, however some types of treatments may require downtime. Some types of in-office treatments will require more than one visit to achieve long-lasting results, but regardless, many treated acne scars will fade over time and become less visible.

Can You Get Rid of Your Acne Scars Naturally?

Some people turn to natural remedies to reduce acne scars, but how effective is the science behind these remedies?

One study looked at a combination of propolis extract, tea tree oil, and aloe vera in treating acne and erythema scars (red scars on the skin). Researchers found that this combination of natural ingredients was more effective in reducing scars, total lesion count, and acne severity than an antibiotic 3 % erythromycin acne cream. In other studies, tea tree oil has also been shown to help prevent acne scarring. Curcumin has also been shown to help reduce inflammation of the skin and in promoting wound repair, which aids in scar reduction.

Other natural remedies include the application of lemon juice or vinegar to the skin. In one study that looked at the use of lemon juice, vinegar, and other complementary and alternative medicine ingredients (CAM), results among study participants were mixed. Some participants reported improvement in acne scarring, while others reported their acne became worse after applying CAM ingredients, such as lemon juice and vinegar, to their face.

Research shows that certain natural remedies may be an effective way to reduce mild acne scarring, although further study is needed. As some natural ingredients may be irritating to the skin, it is recommended you first speak with a healthcare provider or dermatologist before using any natural ingredient on your face or body.

How to Treat Depressed Acne Scars

Depressed acne scars can be treated with a variety of treatments, including:

• Acne scar surgery: This is a minor surgery performed by a dermatologist to create a less-noticeable acne scar that will fade over time.

• Dermabrasion or microdermabrasion: Best for widespread acne scarring, resurfacing treatments such as dermabrasion and microdermabrasion help treat acne scars that are mostly flat (but not too deep) in the skin. These treatments remove layers of skin and allow the body to produce new skin cells.

• Laser resurfacing: This in-office treatment uses an intense beam of light to remove the outer layer of skin. Laser resurfacing replaces lost collagen and elastin (a protein that enables skin to stretch and spring back) to reduce scarring.

• Chemical peels: This resurfacing treatment treats smaller depressed scars by removing the outer layer of skin, which stimulates collagen production.

• Fillers: Performed by a dermatologist, fillers are a safe way to plump acne scars and reduce their appearance. Some fillers are temporary while other types of fillers are permanent, so be sure to speak with your dermatologist about the right type of filler for your type of scar.

• Radiofrequency skin tightening: Non-ablative radiofrequency (RF) treatments can be used to treat depressed acne scars, either on their own or alongside laser treatments. RF treatments deliver a current that causes the skin to produce new collagen, thereby tightening the skin and softening the appearance of scars.

• Microneedling (collagen-induction therapy): This treatment uses tiny needles to puncture the skin multiple times, creating microwounds in the skin. Microneedling stimulates the release of growth factors, resulting in increased collagen production and a reduction in the look of acne scars. Multiple treatments are usually required to achieve the desired result.

• Electrodesiccation: Ideal for boxcar acne scars, this treatment uses electric probes to heat skin tissue, which causes the tissue to die. It's most effective when used in conjunction with other acne treatments so speak to your dermatologist about the best treatment plan for you.
  

How to Treat Raised Acne Scars

Raised acne scars can be treated using a number of different methods:

• Acne scar surgery: A dermatologist can perform a minor surgery to create a scar that is less noticeable and might fade over time.

• Radiation: To effectively treat raised acne scars, acne scar surgery can also be followed up with radiation or injections (see below) to enhance results. It's important to note there is potential for radiation to cause problems years or decades after treatment, so some healthcare professionals don't recommend this treatment. Speak to a healthcare professional to see if radiation treatment might be suitable for you.

• Injections: Certain types of injections, such as corticosteroids, 5-FU, or interferon, may be recommended by healthcare professionals after acne scar surgery. Most people receive these injections once a month for a few months.

• Cryosurgery: This type of treatment freezes the scar tissue, which causes it to die and gradually fall off. It is frequently recommended to be paired with corticosteroid injections for best results.

• Laser therapy and light treatments: Lasers, especially pulsed dye lasers (PDL), can safely treat raised scars by flattening a raised scar and reducing the color.

• Silicone dressings and scar creams or gels: These products can be used at home, often without a prescription, to help reduce itching or discomfort, and to flatten and fade raised acne scars.

Treatment methods for keloid scars include silicone gel sheets, compression therapy, corticosteroid injections, acne scar surgery, and radiotherapy.

How to Prevent Acne Scars

To prevent acne scars, there are a couple of things you can do:

• Establish a gentle skincare routine: Gently cleanse your face and body; don't scrub. Scrubbing can worsen or aggravate acne, which can increase your chances of having a permanent scar.

• Treat active acne breakouts:This is especially important if you have severe acne, have first developed acne at a younger age (such as in your preteens), or if you have a family member or blood relative who has also experienced acne scarring. Additionally, if over-the-counter (OTC) acne treatments are not helping, schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider or dermatologist to discuss prescription treatment options.

• Continue acne treatment after your acne clears up: Once your acne heals, you can scale back acne treatment to one product used a few times per week. A dermatologist can help provide personalized recommendations for preventative care.

• Don't pick, squeeze or pop: Touching acne spots or scars on your face or body can worsen the look of acne, acne scars, or lead to a permanent scar.
  

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A Quick Review

Acne scars are the result of acne blemishes that have become inflamed. They can also result from damage to the skin during an active acne outbreak, or if active acne is not adequately treated.

There are three main types of acne scars: atrophic (depressed or pitted), hypertrophic (raised), and keloidal (a thick, raised scar). Treatments vary depending on the type of acne scar. Some possible acne scar treatments include laser resurfacing, acne scar surgery, fillers, and injections.

Treatment for mild scars may not be necessary, but if your acne scars are widespread, severe, or are affecting your ability to enjoy life, schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider or dermatologist to discuss treatment options. Some treatments are not suitable for all types of acne scars or for every skin tone, so your healthcare provider will be able to recommend the safest and most effective option for you.

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