Are acne scars permanent? And can they be removed?

Best acne scar treatments, Maidstone, Kent

Thanks to the many technological developments in the aesthetics industry in recent years, more and more people are starting to explore various ways to improve the appearance of acne scars. They’re a common concern, and many of our patients tell us that they find their acne scars distressing and ask what the best ways to improve their appearance are.

What causes acne scars?  

Acne causes inflammation of the skin and presents as whiteheads, blackheads, pustules, nodules, and cysts. If these lesions remain untreated, they can cause long-term scarring to the skin, and they do so in around 30% of moderate-to-severe acne cases – though these numbers are higher in cases of nodulocystic acne. This is one of the most extreme types of acne and appears as large, red boils that reside deep beneath the skin’s surface. These cysts destroy the skin tissue, which isn’t replaced during the healing process; once the cyst is emptied and the area repairs itself, an indentation is left, aka the scar.

You will need to treat any current acne before you begin to treat the scars, which can be done using a combination of topical, oral, and light-based treatments, such as blue-light therapy. And since it’s much easier to treat recent scars than older ones, visiting a professional for help early on is a good move.

The best treatments for acne scars

There are several options to consider, depending on the sort of scarring you have.

Superficial acne scars

This is the mildest type of acne and the easiest to treat. Topical options – such as glycolic or salicylic acid and prescription-strength vitamin A creams, like tretinoin – work by gently resurfacing the skin and decreasing sebum production, and can be applied as part of your regular skincare routine.

Moderate-to-severe acne scars

Moderate-to-severe acne scars present in several different ways. Boxcar scars are shallow-to-medium depressions in the skin and have well-defined edges; ice-pick scars are deep and narrow; rolling scars present as deep depressions in the skin; and if the scar feels lumpy or raised, it’s a hypertrophic or keloid scar, which occurs when the skin produces too much collagen during the repair process. If your scarring resembles any of these, you’re likely to need a clinical-grade treatment performed by a qualified medical practitioner in a clinic setting to help improve the skin’s texture.

There are several clinical-grade treatments available. Chemical peels involve the controlled removal of the outer layers of the skin to encourage cell renewal and regeneration.

Next on the list is microneedling, in which a small handpiece creates tiny wounds all over the skin to stimulate the formation of new collagen and elastin – and radiofrequency technology – in which a current is passed through the skin to stimulate new collagen. Or we can go one step further and combine the two together in a device like the Profound RF, for example, to supercharge results.

Profound RF is a breakthrough technology used to remodel and tighten skin on the face, neck, and body. Known as the ‘non-surgical face lift’, Profound RF is a radiofrequency microneedling treatment that tightens, smoothens, hydrates and melts fat in a targeted way. As well as being used to tighten and contour the skin, it is also a very effective way to treat deep, extensive or ice-pick acne scars.

Start by getting some advice

Whichever route you go down, thanks to the advances in various treatment options, it’s unlikely that your acne scarring can’t be treated. So, if it’s affecting your confidence, start by discussing it with a professional, even if that is your GP to begin with.

To find out more about the various available treatment options, click here to book a consultation.

Disclaimer: Please be aware that results and benefits may vary from patient to patient taking into consideration factors such as age, lifestyle and medical history.