Treating Acne Scars

Starting treatment of your acne scars begins with a consultation from your dermatologist. The doctor will examine your skin and scars and ask some important questions.

The first question will be about why you would like to treat the scars. Some people want less noticeable scarring while others wish to eliminate skin texture. It is important to remember that medical insurance does not cover the cost of treating acne scars so the patient will have to cover the full cost of the procedures. On top of those payments, some treatments require downtime where patients may not be able to attend work.

Speak with your doctor about what kinds of treatments will be effective for your acne scars and your dermatologist will create a plan that will work for you. The treatment plan will include considerations for many things such as scar types and where the scars appear on your body. Your dermatologist may recommend more than one treatment such as laser therapy for deep boxcar scars on top of subcision (a type of acne scar surgery).

Treatment for depressed acne scars

• Acne scar surgery
• Resurfacing: Laser therapy, chemical peeling, dermabrasion, microdermabrasion
• Fillers
• Skin tightening
• Collagen-induction therapy, aka needling
• Electrodesiccation

Treatment for raised acne scars

• Injections (corticosteroids, interferon, 5-FU, etc.)
• Acne scar surgery
• Laser therapy
• Cryosurgery
• Scar creams and gels, silicone (dressing and bandages)

Acne Scar Surgery

This surgical approach addresses noticeable acne scars. The procedure is minor, with patients remaining awake under local anesthesia. It works best for treating a few depressed scars, with optimal results achieved when combined with other treatments.

Resurfacing Procedures

For extensive acne scarring, dermatologists may employ resurfacing techniques that remove multiple skin layers, enabling the body to generate new, unscarred skin cells. Options include lasers, chemical peels, dermabrasion, or microdermabrasion. This approach is particularly effective for shallow, nearly flat scars, though the most potent resurfacing methods cannot adequately treat deep acne scars.

Skin Fillers

Depressed scars (excluding icepick scars) can be treated with dermal fillers like collagen, autologous fat, or alternative substances. Some fillers provide temporary results lasting up to 18 months, while others offer permanent outcomes.

Dr. Vitaly Blatnoy at the Orlando Dermatology Center is trained to perform all acne scar procedures including laser treatments and cryosurgery. To explore your options, schedule an appointment online today.