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 challenging to treat.

That is why we have put together this acne scars before and after guide.

Where we will explore the types, causes, and treatment of acne scars.

So, you are armed with all the practical solutions to improve the appearance of your skin.

Understanding Acne

Acne scars often result from deep cysts beneath your skin, making 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 will make matters worse.

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

Avoid Picking Your 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 even deeper into the skin.

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

To prevent post-inflammatory pigmentation (PIH) and further skin damage, adopting safer methods for managing acne is essential; this is why we put together this article on blackheads, where you can learn how to extract them without scarring your skin.

Topical Treatments for Acne Scars

• Niacinamide is both a spot and a scar treatment, offering 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, Calm and Balance gel to help heal your acne scars.
• Retinol and Vitamin A derivatives are highly successful when it comes to acne scars before and after treatment. Regular application over three months can lead to an improved appearance of discolouration and a smoother texture in your scars. Try our A+ retinol skin shot.
• Roaccutane will help if you suffer from frequent cystic breakouts; consider taking oral retinoids like Accutane, which can be a preventive measure against scarring. Speak to your health provider first and research, however, as it can be hard on your liver.

Clinical Treatments for Acne scars

Chemical Peels

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

Light chemical peels can also help to re-texturise and lift discolouration from your skin.

Microdermabrasion

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

This non-invasive procedure involves using fine crystals, which are gently propelled onto your skin’s surface under pressure and simultaneously suctioned away.

The dual action of this process not only exfoliates your skin but also stimulates circulation and encourages the renewal of your skin cells.

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

This treatment can also play a pivotal role in reducing the visibility of acne scars.

If you have acne inflammation, it might be worth avoiding this treatment; however, redness and a tender sensation immediately following a microdermabrasion session can happen, which may worsen the inflammation.

LED Light Therapy

LED Light Therapy offers a gentle path to skin rejuvenation. It is a non-invasive treatment that can remarkably soothe and stimulate your skin’s natural regenerative processes. It utilises different wavelengths of light to target specific skin concerns, providing a painless and revitalising experience.

Blue Light: One of the primary applications of LED Light Therapy is blue light, which 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 has a soothing effect on inflamed skin, making it a versatile solution for acne-related issues.

Red Light: Red light enhances the skin’s natural defence mechanisms. This serves a dual purpose: it accelerates the healing process and encourages the development of happier, healthier skin. Red light therapy improves overall skin health by stimulating the skin’s innate protective responses.

Fractional Co2 Laser for Acne Scars

Fractional Co2 Laser treatment employs precise laser pulses that penetrate your skin’s deeper layers, deliberately inflicting controlled damage to the cells below.

This process triggers your skin’s inherent healing mechanism, prompting basal layer cells to regenerate, returning stronger, firmer, and more rapidly. The outcome is smoother, tighter skin with a more even tone, making it particularly effective if you have deep ice pick scars.

We typically recommend 4-5 treatments every 4-5 weeks for optimal results. Post-treatment, you may observe micro-wounds in the form of tiny dots evenly spaced across your skin. 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 targets skin pigmentation in the underlying tissue and minor surface blood vessels. The process generates heat, eliciting an inflammatory response in the skin, thereby triggering a healing process that diminishes pigmentation and red blood vessels.

Once the targeted pigment rises to the skin’s surface, it flakes away. This is a highly effective method for reducing hyperpigmentation caused by acne and retexturing your skin.

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

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

For optimal results, we recommend a series of 4-5 treatments every 4-5 weeks, like fractional laser, ensuring that you achieve significant and long-lasting improvements in your skin’s appearance.