Your Complete Acne Scars Before and After Treatment Advice

Whether it’s a scar from a particularly nasty spot.

Or a case of more widespread acne scarring.

Acne and the scars it leaves behind can be emotionally challenging.

You likely know from experience that these scars are tricky to treat.

That’s why we have put together this guide on acne scars before and after.

We explore the types, causes, and treatment of acne scars.

So you are armed with practical solutions to improve your skin’s appearance.

Understanding Acne Scars

Acne scars often result from deep cysts beneath the skin, which makes them more likely to leave lasting marks than regular pimples or blackheads.

Cystic acne is particularly troublesome, and attempts to pop or squeeze these deep-seated blemishes only worsen matters.

Research (1) suggests that roughly 50 per cent of scars result from picking at your face.

Avoid Picking Acne

Resist the temptation to pop or squeeze your breakouts, no matter how many pimple-popping videos you’ve seen. This increases the likelihood of scarring and introduces bacteria and infection, driving inflammation deeper into your skin.

Inflammation significantly contributes to scarring, as scars result from an inflammatory healing process.

Adopting safer methods for managing acne is essential to prevent post-inflammatory pigmentation (PIH) and further skin damage.

You can read all about it in our article on extracting blackheads without scarring your skin.

Topical Treatments for Acne Scars

Niacinamide is a spot and anti-scar treatment that offers anti-inflammatory benefits to soothe blemishes and scarring. Our B+ skin shot, combined with N-acetyl glucosamine, is the perfect balancing formula to help with dark spots and PIH.

Salicylic acid, found in BHA products, can reduce inflammation and the risk of scarring despite its seemingly counterintuitive nature. Try our Clarify pH-balancing gel to help heal your acne scars.

Vitamin A derivatives successfully treat acne scars before and after treatment. Regular application over three months can improve the appearance of discolouration and smooth scar texture. Try our A+ retinol skin shot.

Roaccutane can help if you suffer from frequent cystic breakouts. Oral retinoids like Roaccutane can prevent scarring in persistent cases, though it requires medical supervision throughout. If you are considering this route, speaking with a specialist who can assess your suitability and guide you safely through the process is strongly recommended.

Clinical Treatments for Acne Scars

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels, which may include salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) at varying concentrations, are effective treatments for acne scars before and after treatment.

Light chemical peels can also help retexturise the skin and lift discolouration. This article provides a complete guide for those keen to learn about peels but unsure where to begin.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is an advanced exfoliation method designed to rejuvenate your skin by removing dull, lifeless skin cells, revealing a fresher, more radiant complexion.

This non-invasive procedure uses fine crystals gently propelled onto the skin’s surface under pressure and simultaneously suctioned away. This process exfoliates the skin while stimulating circulation and encouraging skin cell renewal.

Microdermabrasion effectively minimises the appearance of enlarged pores and decongests your skin, making it a popular choice for a smoother, more revitalised skin texture.

This treatment can also help reduce the visibility of acne scars. However, if you have acne inflammation, it might be worth avoiding this treatment; redness and a tender sensation can occur immediately following microdermabrasion sessions, which may worsen the inflammation.

LED Light Therapy

This offers a gentle path to skin rejuvenation. It uses different wavelengths of light to target specific skin concerns, providing a painless and revitalising experience.

Blue Light: Blue light is a primary application of LED light therapy, and it is particularly effective for acne scars before and after treatment.

It addresses the bacteria responsible for acne breakouts while promoting skin cell turnover. Additionally, it soothes inflamed skin, making it a versatile solution for acne-related issues.

Red Light: Enhances the skin’s natural defence mechanisms.

This serves a dual purpose: it accelerates healing and promotes the development of happier, healthier skin.

Red light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that can boost your skin’s natural regenerative processes.

Fractional CO2 Laser for Acne Scars

Fractional CO2 Laser treatment employs precise laser pulses that penetrate your skin’s deeper layers, deliberately inducing controlled damage to the cells beneath the surface.

This treatment triggers your skin’s inherent healing mechanism, prompting basal layer cells to regenerate and return stronger, firmer, and more rapidly.

The outcome is smoother, tighter skin with a more even tone, making it particularly effective for those with deep ice-pick scars.

Your skin might feel warm and sensitive immediately after the procedure, with potential itchiness as the initial inflammation subsides.

Photo Rejuvenation for Scar Reduction

Photo rejuvenation is a laser treatment that safely delivers high-energy light beams through your skin’s surface.

This is a highly effective method for reducing acne-related hyperpigmentation and retexturing your skin and minor surface blood vessels.

The process generates heat, eliciting an inflammatory response in the skin. This triggers a healing process that diminishes pigmentation and reduces the visibility of red blood vessels. Once the targeted pigment rises to the skin’s surface, it flakes away.

Following the treatment, temporary redness is expected. Depending on your skin’s resilience, it typically lasts from a few minutes to up to 24 hours.

Pigmented areas may also darken within a few hours, and small dark spots may form (a sign that the treatment is working) and can persist for 3 to 4 weeks.