Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsReducing ScarsPrescriptionsProceduresTimingSeeing a Dermatologist
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Reducing Scars
Prescriptions
Procedures
Timing
Seeing a Dermatologist
Acne scars develop when your body produces either too much or too little collagen after a breakout. The scars may be depressed and pitted if you don’t produce sufficient collagen or thick and raised if you produce too much.
Mild to moderate acne scars may be treated with at-home remedies like topical creams, microdermabrasion kits, or silicone patches. Meanwhile, persistent scars may require prescription medication or an in-office procedure from a dermatologist.
Learn more about treating acne scars, including how to get rid of them at home as well as available prescription treatments, and procedures.
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Types of Acne Scars
There are several different types of scars that can develop after an acne breakout, including:
How to Get Rid of Acne Scars at Home
There are several ways that you can try to get rid of your acne scars at home. Examples of over-the-counter (OTC) acne scar treatments include:
Prescriptions to Get Rid of Acne Scars
Acne scars that don’t go away with at-home treatment may require prescription medication. Topical creams that are commonly prescribe to reduce the appearance of acne scars include:
Procedures to Get Rid of Acne Scars
If your acne scars don’t fade after you try the above methods, you may need to undergo a procedure with a dermatologist. Procedures that treat acne scars include:
Timing: How Long Does It Take Acne Scars to Fade?
Many acne scars take just a few weeks to go away on their own. Deeper or more persistent acne scars may take a year or more to fade. Some depressed acne scars may be permanent.
After your acne scar treatment, you may also require downtime. For example, it could take up to 10 days for your skin to heal after laser therapy. Meanwhile, your skin could take several weeks to recover after a dermabrasion session.
Seeing a Dermatologist for Acne Scars
If your acne scars don’t resolve on their own or with at-home remedies, consider reaching out to a board-certified dermatologist. They can recommend prescription treatments or procedures based on your symptoms, the type of acne scar(s) you have, and your medical history.
Preventing Acne Scars
Summary
Available treatments for acne scars include silicone patches, topical OTC and prescription creams, microdermabrasion, skin-resurfacing procedures, radiofrequency, laser therapy, surgery, cryosurgery, fillers, microneedling, and injections.
Acne scars can be effectively treated. Reach out to a dermatologist for help if your scars aren’t resolving on their own.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acne scars: Who gets and causes.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acne scars: Overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Keloid scars: Overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acne scars: Diagnosis and treatment.Connolly D, Vu HL, Mariwalla K, Saedi N.Acne scarring-pathogenesis, evaluation, and treatment options.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017;10(9):12-23.Gozali MV, Zhou B.Effective treatments of atrophic acne scars.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8(5):33-40.Callender VD, Baldwin H, Cook-Bolden FE, et al.Effects of topical retinoids on acne and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in patients with skin of color: A clinical review and implications for practice.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2022;23(1):69-81. doi:10.1007/s40257-021-00643-2Thornton NJ, Garcia BA, Hoyer P, Wilkerson MG.Keloid scars: An updated review of combination therapies.Cureus. 2021;13(1):e12999. doi:10.7759/cureus.12999Nemours TeensHealth.Can acne scars be removed?.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Find a dermatologist.American Academy of Dermatology Association.What does FAAD stand for?.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acne scars: Self-care.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acne scars: Who gets and causes.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acne scars: Overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Keloid scars: Overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acne scars: Diagnosis and treatment.Connolly D, Vu HL, Mariwalla K, Saedi N.Acne scarring-pathogenesis, evaluation, and treatment options.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017;10(9):12-23.Gozali MV, Zhou B.Effective treatments of atrophic acne scars.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8(5):33-40.Callender VD, Baldwin H, Cook-Bolden FE, et al.Effects of topical retinoids on acne and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in patients with skin of color: A clinical review and implications for practice.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2022;23(1):69-81. doi:10.1007/s40257-021-00643-2Thornton NJ, Garcia BA, Hoyer P, Wilkerson MG.Keloid scars: An updated review of combination therapies.Cureus. 2021;13(1):e12999. doi:10.7759/cureus.12999Nemours TeensHealth.Can acne scars be removed?.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Find a dermatologist.American Academy of Dermatology Association.What does FAAD stand for?.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acne scars: Self-care.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acne scars: Who gets and causes.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acne scars: Overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Keloid scars: Overview.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acne scars: Diagnosis and treatment.Connolly D, Vu HL, Mariwalla K, Saedi N.Acne scarring-pathogenesis, evaluation, and treatment options.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017;10(9):12-23.Gozali MV, Zhou B.Effective treatments of atrophic acne scars.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8(5):33-40.Callender VD, Baldwin H, Cook-Bolden FE, et al.Effects of topical retinoids on acne and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in patients with skin of color: A clinical review and implications for practice.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2022;23(1):69-81. doi:10.1007/s40257-021-00643-2Thornton NJ, Garcia BA, Hoyer P, Wilkerson MG.Keloid scars: An updated review of combination therapies.Cureus. 2021;13(1):e12999. doi:10.7759/cureus.12999Nemours TeensHealth.Can acne scars be removed?.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Find a dermatologist.American Academy of Dermatology Association.What does FAAD stand for?.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acne scars: Self-care.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acne scars: Who gets and causes.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acne scars: Overview.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Keloid scars: Overview.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acne scars: Diagnosis and treatment.
Connolly D, Vu HL, Mariwalla K, Saedi N.Acne scarring-pathogenesis, evaluation, and treatment options.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017;10(9):12-23.
Gozali MV, Zhou B.Effective treatments of atrophic acne scars.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8(5):33-40.
Callender VD, Baldwin H, Cook-Bolden FE, et al.Effects of topical retinoids on acne and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in patients with skin of color: A clinical review and implications for practice.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2022;23(1):69-81. doi:10.1007/s40257-021-00643-2
Thornton NJ, Garcia BA, Hoyer P, Wilkerson MG.Keloid scars: An updated review of combination therapies.Cureus. 2021;13(1):e12999. doi:10.7759/cureus.12999
Nemours TeensHealth.Can acne scars be removed?.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Find a dermatologist.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.What does FAAD stand for?.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acne scars: Self-care.
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