Acne scars can be pretty discouraging, but there is hope! Getting rid of these texture areas and dark spots isn’t as daunting as you think.

With the right treatments and other remedies, you can be on the path to smoother skin reasonably quickly. Getting rid of acne spots often requires a multifaceted approach - and your full treatment regime may include professional-grade skin care, as well as regular acne scar treatment appointments. 

Here’s our ultimate guide to getting rid of acne scars for smooth, radiant skin. 

But in the first place - what counts as an acne scar?

What Is an Acne Scar?

Acne scarring is incredibly common. In Australia, it’s thought that 40% of people have experienced their first acne scar by their teenage years. That’s a lot of people relatively early in life!

Acne scars are usually caused by repeated inflammatory acne lesions such as cysts, nodules or papules that reach deep into the skin's layers and form harmful collagen fibres. These fibres cause the tissue around them to shrink, resulting in a visible indentation on the skin, giving an "ice pick" or "boxcar" appearance. 

Compared to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which also appears after acne, true acne scars affect your skin’s texture - not just skin tone. 

Fortunately, treatments are available today to help diminish acne scars, such as laser resurfacing, chemical peels, and micro-needling. While results vary among individuals, tackling the issue head-on and investing in effective treatments can significantly restore your confidence and skin health.

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This gentle at-home exfoliating peel uses the power of Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, and Malic Acid to smooth the look of acne scars and renew skin.

Types of Acne Scars

Acne scarring results from damage done to the deep layers of skin tissue. There are four true types of acne scarring: ice-pick, boxcar, rolling, and hypertrophic scars. 

All types of acne scars respond differently to treatment due to their depth and individual characteristics. Smoothing skin out for good can often require professional assessment, treatment, and the proper skincare at home. 

Ice-Pick Scars

These are deep, narrow, pitted scars that form when the skin has been deeply damaged by acne. These scars get their name from their appearance - it quite literally looks like a small ice pick has damaged the skin. 

Boxcar Scars

These are wider, more angular scars with sharp vertical edges that also form in areas where the skin has been deeply damaged by acne. They can appear on the face and body and are usually shallow to medium depth. They’re the most common kind of acne scarring.

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Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Peel & Reveal Revitalizing Mask is an award-winning peel-off mask that targets skin texture and dark spots for visibly glowing skin.

Rolling Scars

These vast, wave-like depressed areas of skin have curved edges that make them look like rolling hills. They form due to fibrous tissue bands beneath the skin and collagen loss.

Hypertrophic Scars

These raised or keloid scars form when too much collagen is produced in an area of injury, such as from severe acne lesions. They are often red or purple and can be itchy or painful.

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Formulated with Salicylic Acid, this exfoliating peel addresses the cause of acne scars: breakouts themselves.

Different Ways To Get Rid of Acne Scars

Acne scars can be a significant source of embarrassment and dismay, but the good news is that there are plenty of ways to reduce their appearance! Here’s our guide to the different ways to remove acne scars.

Natural Remedies for Acne Scars

There are a LOT of suggested natural, at-home remedies for acne scars on the internet, including ones made of lemon juice, baking soda, or apple cider vinegar. The truth is, these natural remedies could be doing more harm than good. 

All three at-home remedies mentioned above are at the wrong pH for your skin. They damage your skin barrier, making your skin even more prone to breakouts, sensitivity, and redness - the complete opposite of what you’re trying to achieve.

We suggest getting regular professional facial treatments and using properly formulated skincare products to remove acne scars from skin. 

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Try the Dermalogica Peel Power-Up Skin Care Set for real results instead of trying possibly harmful natural remedies for acne scarring.

Acne Scar Removal Cream

There are many ways of treating acne scars, with acne scar removal cream being one of the most effective. These creams are usually formulated with skin-renewing ingredients such as Retinol to increase skin cell turnover. 

This process smooths away breakouts, reduces the risk of scarring, and smooths visible skin texture for flawless, scar-free skin. Another skincare ingredient that works to remove scars is Salicylic Acid. It sometimes appears in acne removal creams thanks to its ability to unclog pores and resurface the skin.

Chemical Peel for Acne Treatment

One of the best treatments for removing acne scars is a chemical peel. This type of skincare product often includes Alpha Hydroxy Acids and Beta Hydroxy Acids, effective peeling ingredients that slough away dead skin cells and stimulate proper collagen production.

One incredibly beneficial skincare ingredient to soften the look of acne scarring is Malic Acid. The benefits of Malic Acid in skincare include smoother skin texture and reducing the appearance of acne scars. It’s no wonder it’s a star ingredient in many chemical peels, at home and in the spa. 

Some star skincare products that feature Malic Acid are Murad Replenishing Multi-Acid Peel and Juvena Refine & Exfoliate Mask. The Murad exfoliator uses a unique, two-phase formula to exfoliate skin and, over time, reduce the look of acne scars. 

Juvena Refine & Exfoliate is a treatment mask that should be rinsed off after use. it has similar benefits for the skin, thanks to a peeling, exfoliating formula. 

Murad Replenishing Multi-Acid Peel
Murad Replenishing Multi-Acid Peel is a gentle, effective exfoliator that brings together the benefits of the different exfoliating acids to create a nourishing peel like you’ve never tried before.

Professional Acne Scar Treatment

There are a few types of acne scar treatment to manage the look of acne scars. 

Results vary depending on the type of scars that you have and how much skin damage has been caused, and in many cases, several rounds of treatment are needed to restore and rejuvenate skin.  

The two most common professional treatments for acne scarring that a beautician can perform are microdermabrasion and laser therapy. 

Dermabrasion resurfaces your skin with microscopic exfoliating crystals. These crystals create an instant feeling of smoothness but also help to encourage collagen production soften the look of acne scarring.

Laser therapy is another effective way to remove acne scars. In this kind of treatment, the laser targets the dermis and epidermis to encourage collagen remodelling AND new collagen production.

This means it’s incredibly effective at correcting texture problems caused by scarring for smooth, flawless skin. Laser is the preferred treatment course for acne scars as part of the Beauty Affairs Acne Scar Treatment Facial. 

Beauty Affairs Bespoke Acne Scar Treatment 

Our Bespoke Acne Scar Treatment is a unique and tailored facial treatment that addresses your needs. The professional tools used focus on improving the complexion and reducing the visibility of any acne scarring on the skin. 

Our clients have been incredibly thankful for this treatment, as it has helped restore their confidence and make them feel more comfortable in their skin.

The treatment begins with a detailed skin analysis using our VISIA machine, which reveals any current concerns or areas of improvement. Our experienced beauty therapists then provide a custom consultation to understand any steps you are already taking to address your acne scarring.

During treatment, our aesthetician will use professional techniques and tools such as LED light therapy, ultrasound infusion, scalp massage and hand massage to create a relaxing, therapeutic experience.

Then, a target area (most commonly the cheeks or forehead) is treated with ResurFX laser, an effective laser that resurfaces skin for a radiant, smooth look. Another bonus of this laser technology is that it's safe for darker skin tones, ensuring skin still looks rich and radiant while smoothing away acne scarring.

Customers who have had this treatment have given us fantastic feedback about the results. Many have commented on how much smoother their skin looks after just one session! They also appreciate that this bespoke facial addresses specific concerns, helping to target stubborn acne scars in particular for an improved overall complexion. We're so thrilled when customers are delighted with their results!

References 

• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324784
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acne/expert-answers/acne-scars/faq-20058101
• https://www.healthline.com/health/acne-scars
• https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/derm-treat/scars/treatment
• https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-get-rid-of-acne-scars/
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acne/complications/