Some scars, including some types of acne scars, can fade somewhat on their own over time. However, most will not go completely on their own and some will not improve noticeably on their own either.
There are a few different types of acne scarring and there can be a mixture of types in a single area; acne scarring on the face, acne scarring on the back, acne scarring on buttocks, no matter where your acne scarring is, you can have a mixture of scar types and you may need to do different things to help remove them.
What Acne Scars Will Go Away?
The scars most likely to naturally fade to some degree are macular scars. These are flat, dark marks that have been left where a spot was. As this type of scar is not structural, such as a dip in the skin, it can fade over time as your skin cells renew.
It can take a long time for macular acne scars to improve on their own, but this process can be accelerated with the use of some products and/or treatments.
The type of acne scars that are likely to require treatment to improve them are those with a sunken appearance, known as atrophic scars; specifically rolling scars, boxcar scars and ice-pick scars. These types of scars will not return to their previous appearance, or as close as possible, without intervention. As mentioned before, it is usual for there to be a variety of scar types in an area where acne has been which will always be assessed and diagnosed by your practitioner prior to deciding on a treatment plan for you.
Acne Scar Treatment
There are lots of options when it comes to treatments to remove acne scars. It is important to have a thorough consultation and ask questions so that you can fully understand what treatment(s) are being suggested for you and why.
I would also recommend going in with a mindset of how much of an improvement you would be happy with- would you be happy if you could improve the appearance of your scars by 30%, 70%? Realistically, a dermatology nurse or a dermatologist for acne scars should not promise you that they will be able to fully remove a scar with non-surgical treatments; these treatments are designed to soften, lighten, and smooth scars, often improving acne scars to the point that the individual isn’t as bothered by them, but they cannot promise that they will be ‘removed’. Think ‘improvement’ over ‘removal’.
Please be aware that most treatments require the scars to be six months old as the skin can take this long to naturally heal and repair itself; we also wouldn’t expect any further natural improvements in the scar’s appearance after this amount of time.
What Can We Offer You to Treat Acne Scars?
At our Hertfordshire acne scarring clinic, we have a lot of options for your skin. Your specific acne scar treatment plan will be unique to you and decided upon during your assessment and consultation, but it may include one or more of these acne scar treatment options:
1. Subcision for Acne Scars
This technique allows us to treat scars that are tethered, or stuck, to the deeper tissues below which may cause some scars to look exaggerated because the tethering is pulling the scar down. Physically breaking down tethering below acne scars with the subcision technique can help to lift the scar back up.
Subcision can be used as a stand-alone treatment, but most commonly it is used in combination with another treatment to further improve the surface of the scar. This treatment is best for box scars or rolling scars and is not appropriate for ice-pick acne scars or macular (hyperpigmented) scars.
2. Fraxel Dual Laser for Acne Scars
Fraxel Dual is a fractional laser treatment that helps to stimulate new collagen and help to replace the damaged skin cells with new, healthy skin cells. It does this by treating a fraction of the skin at a time causing the skin to believe that it has been damaged, your skin goes into ‘repair mode’ during which it heals itself and produces new collagen; this means smoother, healthier skin.
As the process that the laser triggers is a natural process to your body, it can take a few months to achieve the full results, but some improvement can often be seen in the weeks following the treatment.
Fraxel Dual can treat both atrophic scars and macular scars.
3. Dermal Fillers for Acne Scars
Fillers are used to replace volume in an area where it has been lost; we often associate fillers with wrinkles, but they are frequently used to treat other ‘dips’ in the skin, be it wrinkles or scars. Atrophic acne scars can be flattened and smoothed in appearance with this treatment.
Dermal fillers used for the treatment of acne scars are made of synthetic hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is found naturally in your skin and is replicated for dermal fillers in the form of a soft gel.
This treatment can be extremely effective in immediately improving the appearance of indented scars; however, it is not healing the skin in the same way some other treatments do and may need to be repeated from time to time.
4. Derma FNS Micro-Needling for Acne Scars
At our acne scarring clinic, we offer micro-needling treatment with the Derma FNS micro-needling pen. This treatment uses very small, fine needles to pierce the skin which stimulates your repair and renewal mechanism; the same response that we stimulate with the Fraxel Dual laser, the difference being that it is done via the micro-needles rather than the laser and the two different treatments can treat different depths in the skin.
Micro-needling can treat macular and atrophic acne scarring.
5. Regenlite Pulse Dye Laser
This particular laser treatment does not create a controlled micro-wound in the same way as Fraxel Dual or the Clear + Brilliant laser does (more on Clear + Brilliant shortly) but it does ‘trick’ your skin into regenerating itself and create new collagen, helping to smooth the scars.
Regenlite can also be used in a different setting to help soften redness in the skin which is ideal if you have been left with background redness and pink marks after your acne.
The Regenlite pulse dye laser is beneficial to some atrophic scars as well as red marks and pinkness left behind after your acne has gone.
6. Clear + Brilliant Laser
This fractional laser is known as the ‘baby Fraxel’; it is by the same people who make the Fraxel Dual laser and, although it works in the same way as the Fraxel Dual, Clear + Brilliant offers a less intense treatment.
It is best for macular scarring and can treat some atrophic scars also.
7. Punch Excision
This treatment uses a punch device that removes a very small section of tissue; it is placed over the scar, usually an ice-pick scar, and replaces it with a shallower wound which will then heal. You may require further treatment to this ‘replacement’ scar to further improve it.
This treatment is best suited to very deep, small scars such as ice-pick scars. We do not offer this treatment at our clinic at the time of writing.
This is a treatment that harnesses the regenerative properties of the growth factors found in your plasma.
During the PRP treatment, a very small sample of your blood is taken and spun in a medical device called a Centrifuge. As the blood is spun it separates in the collection tube; one half is a golden colour- this is your plasma full of regenerating growth factors. The other half is red which are the components of your blood that is not useful when it comes to the treatment.
Your practitioner will draw out the plasma and re-introduce it to your skin either during a treatment that created tiny ‘wounds’ in your skin such as micro-needling or fractional laser or they will inject it directly into the scars.
The growth factors trigger your skin to heal and regenerate.
This treatment can be used to help improve atrophic scars or to further boost the results of another procedure that treats macular (and/or atrophic) scars.
9. Byonik
The Byonik treatment uses hyaluronic acid, antioxidants and two types of ‘cold’ lasers: near-infrared and red light. These lasers do not cause any type of controlled wound so there is no recovery time.
The result of the combined aspects of the procedure is that skin redness and inflammation is improved, wound healing is supported, and skin regeneration is triggered.
This treatment is best for macular acne scarring and redness that has been left behind by acne.
Hopefully, this sheds some light on what can be done for your acne scarring. If you would like to know more about these treatments, please do contact our Hertfordshire skin clinic, we’d love to help you more.
Disclaimer: This blog is not to be used for diagnostic purposes. We are all unique which means that our results, recovery and suitability for any type of treatment will vary. Always seek the advice of a professional should you have any health or cosmetic concerns or to discuss treatments specifically for you.
I'm claustrophobic so didn't like having my eyes completely covered, however, Jane was so patient & understanding & dealt with the situation brilliantly so I could have the treatment. It was a so easy in the end, took minutes, & nothing to worry about at all.
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I cannot recommend the team the innovation and treatments more highly than at the Skin To Love Clinic. They are at the cutting edge of beauty and have new ways and procedures that make your skin look beautiful. I've spent many years on Harley and Wimpole street and assumed you couldn't get this level of investment and treatments anywhere else but the Skin the Love clinic not only offer every top treatment but the Jane and Sue are so skillful and have a real eye for what will work for you. Their mini thread lift is incredible as is their 'vampire' treatment but skin since I have moved to St Albans has improved dramatically
I have several issues with my skin and have been working with my doctor to deal with them. He referred me to a Dermatologist who advised on the treatment I needed. It took me a while to find the right place with the level of expertise that I needed and The Skin to Love Clinic ticked all of the boxes. My first experience with The Skin to Love Clinic was about 2 years ago. I had a consultation with Jane and immediately knew I was in good hands. I had a series of Fraxel laser which dealt with the issue as well as improved the quality of my skin. I am now dealing with a different issue and without hesitation made an appointment with Jane. What a relief to know that once again, I will be in the best hands and get the most appropriate treatment for my skin, not only dealing with the issue but also improving the health of my skin at the same time.About 4 years ago, I had threads from a well known Clinic in Harley Street. The process was extremely painful, left me with a lot of bruising, a disfigured face and took at least 6 weeks to recover. For the first 1 - 2 weeks I could hardly open my mouth, getting my toothbrush into my mouth was painful.2 weeks ago (with much trepidation) I had threads at Skin to Love. The difference was remarkable. This is a cosmetic procedure so when the threads are inserted, there is some discomfort. However, it was a far cry from the extreme pain from the Harley Street clinic. I had 1 pale yellow bruise about the size of 50p, no disfiguration and went out for dinner that night! My face was tender to touch for about 1 week but definitely not painful. I could see the results straight away and as time passes, it gets better. Thank you Jane for being so patient with me. I was so scared but now know I didn't need to be.
Jane is wonderful, I feel in safe hands here and am always pleased with the advice and treatments I receive here, hence why I would not go anywhere else, this is a great clinic.
For my first session of Lazer Hair Removal, I had the most lovely practitioner. They were so patient with me and walked me through the process. I’m so happy and excited to continue with them throughout my course!
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First time trying Regenlite today. Nikki was helpful explaining the process and I noticed some immediate reduction in redness on my cheeks. Nikki also recommended my next treatment for thread veins. All in all the super friendly and knowledgeable service I’ve come to rely on at Skin to Love.
I recently had 3 moles removed from my face by Emma. I am really pleased with the results, I was very nervous and Emma made me feel at ease. I would highly recommend Emma and the skin to love clinic.
Skin to Love is a super professional clinic, from the moment you walk in they make you feel welcomed and the ladies are all absolutely lovely. The treatments are always done to an incredibly high standard and they make sure to answer any questions you may have. Would highly recommend!!
Exceptionally positive experience:* A consultation is required to determine whether the requested treatment is suitable for me. This reassured me of their expertise and integrity (that they wouldn't just push any treatment on me)* Specialist Jane is clearly an expert on the Clear&Brilliant treatment and provided me with a comprehensive insight in the procedure + follow-up care and answered all my questions* Tomorrow I'll receive a check-in call, which shows their level of attentiveness* Reception staff is very friendly, welcoming and helpful* So far my Clear and Brilliant treatment looks good, will see results in 2-4 weeks
I made the mistake of buying a product called Eyesential; an under eye enhancer which temporarily erases puffiness, fine lines, dark circles and wrinkles in minutes and lasts for up to 8 hours. I used this product for a period of 7 years. During this time, the skin under and around my eyes became thinner, reddened, chronically dry and intensely wrinkled. I thought there was nothing I could do and would be left like this. I felt so depressed. Then one day when I was in The Skin to Love Clinic having treatment for Laser Hair Removal; I was informed about Thermage for the very first time. I now have this procedure done yearly. Jane has brought my skin back to its original state and more. My confidence has come back and I feel a so much happier. This treatment really works!
Absolutely thrilled with the results of my treatment which was carried out expertly and efficiently with the utmost professional care by Jane. Would recommend ‘the Skin to Love’ clinic to anyone
Such a professional, understanding approach. I feel like I've just blurted out my last 12 months but Jane made me feel so heard and relevant.Really appreciate the time and advice given and I now feel like I have a plan for how to manage the skin troubles/problems.Thank you!
Had an appointment at Skin to Love today (my first in a while) and oh boy was it good to be back! It was great to see that they are still taking the safety of their clients so seriously with strict PPE guidelines being adhered to. Had a consultation with Jane and can’t wait to go back for my treatment! Thank you ladies ☺️
Emma is so professional and kind. At an initial consultation with her on a viral wart on my face, Emma explained my options and the procedure carefully and thoroughly. Afterwards I tried various lotions and wart removal products, but to no avail. Three months later I saw Emma again. It only took her a few minutes to surgically remove my wart. It was done with such a precision that my skin has been recovering really quickly and well. I highly recommend Emma!
Jane was excellent and extremely professional, giving a clear and detailed picture of my son’s skin post acne. Jane put my son at ease and presented options for reducing pigmentation and improving texture. Highly recommend The Skin to Love clinic.
I love coming to Skin to Love, where everyone remembers my name, even though I wouldn't consider myself a regular. I feel safe and welcomed each time. Every member of staff is so lovely and I've had the best treatments from each practitioner.
I really appreciate Jane's extensive medical back ground & professionalism, generosity with her time (I never feel rushed when I come here), and most importantly, skillful placement of injectables & application of procedures.It has been a pleasure to build a rapport over the past few months and I am delighted with the result of the customized care & treatments I have received here.The ladies at the reception are always welcoming, kind & accommodating, and the clinic is a beautifully designed & charming space to visit.I look forward to many future appointments.
I am extremely happy with the treatment I received and the professionalism of the staff. Emma and Jane were extremely friendly and reassuring too. Thank you.
Would recommend, had a consultation by the nurse , very informative and all staff are extremely knowledgeable of their treatments. Not pushy in selling products or services , the look and feel of the store is very warm and welcoming. I am looking forward to getting treatments there.Update in 4/10/2021 - after going to mobile therapists and now here, I must say there is a big difference ! much much more professional and great customer service - I have had anti wrinkle injections and was reassured this will work and it has! ( I had deep frown lines) worth the bit of extra money for sure!