Dermatologist Questions Acne

Can acne scars be removed?

I am 24 years old and I am going to get married in 5 months. I have a lot of acne scars all over my face. Is there any treatment I can undergo to have these acne scars removed?

9 Answers

Yes with fractionated co2 lasers
Acne scars can be reduced, sometimes removed, but it depends on the severity. If severe, a few months would not be sufficient.
Congrats on the wedding!!! Without seeing the acne and its residual it is hard; however the two most common steps are fractional for scarring- this is multiple laser treatments about 6 treatments spaced approximately 6 weeks apart. The time frame is tight. The “stains” that occur from acne, called post inflammatory hyperpigmentation can be treated with IPL treatm ents. These stains are the red, pink and purple areas where pimples were, but they are not true scars and fade on their own but it takes 6-12 months. Sunscreens are key regardless of path chosen.

Good luck
Yes, there are a number of treatment options including chemical peels, punch grafting, and laser resurfacing. The appropriate technique ultimately depends upon the number of scars that need to be treated, the depth of the scars, and cost. I would recommend seeing a cosmetic dermatologist or plastic surgeon that specializes in such treatments and request before and after photos of the patients treated. Also, discuss downtime with each procedure and risks involved.

Patrick Ottuso
Thank you for your inquiry. To answer your question, yes, acne scars can be removed! The way in which we go about removing the scars is what would be determined through a consultation. We have had great success treating acne scars using chemical peels, lasers, subcision, advanced skin care products and 5-fluorouracil injections. Typically, we will have a combination of these procedures in one treatment.

I would be happy to schedule an appointment for you to come in for a consultation to discuss treatment plan options in more detail. Please let me know if you are interested in making an appointment or have any additional questions.









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It depends on severity. Should talk to a specialist dermatologist.
Acne can be a very frustrating issue to have, but when it leaves a mark on the skin, many patients find themselves facing another problem: hyperpigmentation and scarring. Acne causes trouble in the skin through inflammation. When active acne is present, there is swelling that reddens and becomes sensitive, while trapping dirt and oils. Scarring has several forms; some are depressions in the skin, areas of darkened pigment or pebbled texture. By addressing both textural changes and the darkening color (caused by a condition called Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation), we can improve the overall appearance of acne scars on the face and body.

The gold standard acne scar treatment is a procedure called Combo Laser which combines IPL (Intense Pulsated Light) and a 1540 resurfacing laser. This targets both issues within the same treatment. The next best option would be a combination of microneedling with a chemical peel placed on top. These two treatments also target pigment and texture, but at a lower cost to the patient. Lastly, treatments such as brightening creams and subcision exist, but as with all treatments, must be selected based on the individual to ensure that there are no contraindications or risk to the patient.
Multiples treatments are available for acne scars. Microdermabrasion, microneedling , peels, laser resurfacing according to the type of scar.
Yes, if there is a board certified dermatologist in your area who uses the fractional laser for skin smoothing, The training and experience count a lot here, so check him/her out carefully. Try the website for the Ameican Society for Dermatologic Surgery for information.