Scars

Acne scars

Acne scar treatments require that a person's skin is free of active acne, so if you still break out you will have to address that first. Read through the Regimen for advice on what to do to get your skin clear. Once it is clear, you can decide whether an acne scar treatment is right for you. Opinions are mixed on the efficacy of these treatments however.

This part of Acne.org is the pooling of information from the local medical library and public library. As it turns out, acne scar repair can basically be broken down into six categories which I list in the table below. For information on other techniques and frequently asked questions, see this post from OursFan, a moderator on the Acne Scars message board.

Disclaimer

Acne scar treatments

Acne Scar Treatment
(click for info)		 Best for this type of scarring Approximate cost
(prices quoted here are estimations and can vary greatly; check with your insurance carrier to see if it is covered)

Dermabrasion

Read reviews for Dermabrasion or write your own.

:):) How well it works
:):) Agreeability
:):) Affordability

Shallow imperfections rather than "ice pick" scarring $1500.00 per treatment (repeated treatments sometimes necessary)

Laser Resurfacing

Read reviews for Laser Resurfacing or write your own.

:):) How well it works
:):) Agreeability
:):) Affordability

Shallow imperfections rather than "ice pick" scarring $3000.00 per treatment (repeated treatments sometimes necessary)

Chemical Peels

Read reviews for Chemical Peels or write your own.

:):):) How well it works
:):):) Agreeability
:):):) Affordability

Very mild acne scarring $750.00 per treatment (must often be repeated several times)

Punch Techniques

Read reviews for Punch Techniques or write your own.

:):):) How well it works
:):):) Agreeability
:):):):) Affordability

"ice pick" scars - similar to deep chickenpox scars Depends on number needed, about $50 per punch.

Subcision

Read reviews for Subcision or write your own.

:):):) How well it works
:):):) Agreeability
:):):) Affordability

Most kinds of scars Ask your doc for pricing. (may require multiple treatments)

Augmentation

Read reviews for Augmentation or write your own.

:):):) How well it works
:):):) Agreeability
:):):) Affordability

Deeper scars $300-$700 per cubic centimeter (cc) for collagen. This will cover different size areas depending on the patient. Ask your doc for more accurate pricing. Results are temporary, so it must be repeated.

Saline Injections

Read reviews for Saline Injections or write your own.

:):):):) How well it works
:):):) Agreeability
:):):):) Affordability

Best for shallow scars; less effective on deep "ice pick" or "boxcar" scars About $100 per injection; 4-5 treatments are recommended.

As you read about the treatments, keep these things in mind:

  • People experience different types of scarring from acne, and every person is left with different facial topography. Therefore, acne scar treatment must be addressed on a case by case basis. No single treatment is right for everyone. You and your dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon will have to decide what is right for your type of acne scarring.
  • Since getting rid of acne scars is a complex process, often several of the treatments listed above will have to be combined to produce the best results. For example, punch techniques followed by laser acne treatments is common. Ice pick acne scars might require undermining the acne scars (subcision) followed by injections (augmentation). It is not uncommon to see more than two procedures combined as well.
  • Basic research into how acne scars are formed and how they respond to treatment is very limited. It has not been a well treated condition in the past. However, new treatments are helping.
  • Make sure you see before and after pictures of your doctor's previous patients, and be realistic about results.
  • Picking at your acne can cause as much scarring as the acne itself. Do whatever you have to do to stop picking!

Recommended reading Recommended reading: Dr. Fulton's book, AcneRx, is a wealth of information on acne scars and procedures. It's available on Amazon the last I checked.

Pictures of acne scars
View acne scars before and after pictures in the gallery, or post your own.
Other frequently asked questions
FAQ and info on other methods of healing acne scars. Thanks to OursFan, a moderator on the Acne Scars board for making this post.
Acne scar Product and treatment ratings pages
View public ratings on scar treatments or rate them yourself. rate

References

Bettoli, Vincenzo, Alison M. Layton, and Diane Thiboutot. Fast Facts-Acne. Oxford, UK: HealthPress Limited, 2004.

Fulton, James E. Acne Rx. James E. Fulton Jr., M.D., PhD: 2001.