Acne Scars Before And After Treatment – How To Ensure Positive Results

Posted in  Acne  on  April 19, 2023 by  Jessica Gremley0 comments

Acne scars are a common skin problem caused by various factors, including the severity of acne and its location. Generally speaking, acne scars develop due to an overproduction or underproduction of collagen in the affected area. Collagen is a structural protein that keeps the skin looking smooth and healthy. When the skin is damaged, the body attempts to heal itself by producing more collagen. However, in some cases, this process doesn’t work correctly, resulting in acne scarring.

Acne scars can range from shallow, slightly depressed marks to deep pits on the skin. Fortunately, there are many treatments available for acne scars that can provide visible results. However, acne scarring won’t disappear overnight. Treating acne scars can be a long process that requires patience and dedication. Finding the best treatment plan for your skin type, lifestyle, and budget is essential to ensure positive results.

Acne Scars Treatment Before And After Photos

Because there are different types of acne scars, from depressed marks and deep pits in the skin to raised bumps and redness — not to mention different levels of severity — the best acne scar treatment will vary from person to person. The following are three of the most effective ways to treat acne scarring.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels use an exfoliating acid to remove dead skin cells from the skin’s surface. This can help reduce discoloration, make acne scars look less noticeable, and even-out the overall texture of your skin. As such, chemical peels are effective for reducing mild to severe acne scarring as well as age spots, wrinkles, freckles, irregular pigmentation, sun-damaged skin, and other skin blemishes.

There are several types of chemical peels available, including lactic peels, mandelic peels, alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) peels, trichloroacetic acid (THA) peels, and Jessner’s peels, to name a few. These range from mild to strong, and the most appropriate one for you will depend on your skin type, sensitivity, and the severity of your acne scars. For example, stronger chemical peels, such as THA peels, are more suitable for deeper ice pick scars.

Because chemical peels contain strong acids, there is a risk of skin irritation if not properly applied. As such, chemical peels should only be performed by experienced professionals. The process only takes around 15 minutes to complete, and you’ll begin seeing results within a week; however, we recommend three to six treatments between four and six weeks apart for long-term results.

Laser Treatments

Laser treatments are a type of cosmetic procedure that use focused beams of light to target different kinds of acne scars. The laser targets damaged skin cells, heats them up, and stimulates collagen production to help reduce the appearance of scars over time. As such, laser treatments are effective for treating a wide range of scarring, including deep boxcar scars and rolling scars.

Laser treatments also promote new skin cell growth and can help reduce hyperpigmentation, discoloration, redness, and swelling associated with scarring. They are also suitable for treating a wide range of skin tones and can provide long-term results with minimal side effects. There are several types of laser treatment available, including fractional CO2 treatment, which is a gentler laser treatment with less downtime. Once you undergo laser treatment, your skin will continue improving for six months.

Browse more before and after photos

How To Prepare Before Going To The Clinic For Your Treatment

If you decide to pursue any of these treatments to reduce your acne scarring, it’s essential to prepare for the treatment properly. A professional skincare clinic will provide you with advice on how to prepare for your visit by telling you to do the following:

  • Wash your face before your appointment: You’ll want to remove any impurities that could interfere with your treatment by washing your face using a gentle cleanser.
  • Don’t apply any make-up: You should show up to your appointment with clean skin, meaning that you should avoid using make-up, lotions, or other skin products. These products can interfere with your treatment since they can block the lasers or acids from penetrating your skin.
  • Use sunscreen and wear hats: In the days or weeks leading up to your appointment, protect your skin from sun damage. As such, use sunscreen and even wear a hat outside. If you don’t protect your skin outdoors, your skin could experience more damage, which means treatment won’t be as effective, and it will take longer to see results.

Important Post-Acne Scar Treatment Care

Taking good care of your skin after a procedure is essential to ensuring that your acne scar treatment is successful and that you get the best results. Here at the Natural Skincare Clinic, we’ll provide you with instructions that include the following:

  • Follow the post-care skincare regimen: Depending on the treatment you underwent, the type of acne scarring you have, and the severity of your condition, you’ll be given a post-treatment skincare regimen tailored to your specific needs. You need to make sure that you follow this regimen to ensure that the treatment is as effective as possible.
  • Moisturize: After any acne scar treatment, you should make sure to apply a moisturizer every day. Doing so helps keep your skin hydrated and healthy, speeding up the healing process and reducing inflammation. Additionally, using a moisturizer will help minimize any potential irritation the treatment can cause.
  • Wear sunscreen: The treatment you’ve undergone won’t immediately cure your scarring, which means you need to protect your skin from further damage while healing. When outdoors, apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. This helps protect your skin from any potential damage the sun’s UV rays can cause.
  • Avoid touching the treated area: You should never scratch, pick, or touch the treated area, as this can cause irritation and slow the healing process.
  • Stay hydrated: Drink lots of water to help your body and skin heal more quickly. Staying hydrated will also help keep your skin from becoming dry and irritated, which can delay your healing process.
  • Follow-Up with your doctor: Make sure to follow up with your doctor as scheduled. This will help them assess the progress of your treatment and make sure that you’re on the right track.

Post-Treatment Recovery – What To Expect

When it comes to chemical peels and laser treatments, it’s important to note that the recovery time can vary. After all, these treatments involve removing the top layers of skin and stimulating the production of new skin cells, which means that some downtime is necessary for the body to heal. Fortunately, side effects are rarely severe, and the healing process is relatively quick.

If you’ve recently undergone an acne scar treatment, you can usually expect minor redness, swelling, and tenderness around the treated area. This is normal and should subside within a couple of days after treatment. Generally speaking, it should only take a few days to recover — no more than a week at most. The exact time it will take to recover depends on how severe your acne scarring was and the treatment you received. Not to mention that some people have more sensitive skin than others, which can also impact recovery time.

Ensure You Get The Best Treatment Outcome

Acne scars can be an embarrassing and uncomfortable issue, but they don’t have to be. With the right treatment, you can reduce their appearance and restore your skin to its natural, healthy state. At the Natural Skincare Clinic in Denver, Colorado, we offer a variety of treatments for acne scars that can help reduce their appearance and improve your skin’s overall health. Speak with one of our professionals today to determine which treatment is right for you. Together, we can help give your skin the boost it needs to look and feel its best.

You can help ensure your treatment outcome is even better than you hoped for.

About the Author

Jessica has been a Medical Esthetician, Certified Acne Specialist and Healing Diets Coach since 2003. After struggling with acne for more than a decade, she became determined to find a way to clear acne without pharmaceuticals for herself and eventually, future clients. Today, she offers a complete acne regimen that combines proven non-comedogenic skincare products, natural supplements, lifestyle coaching, and support from trained acne specialists to achieve lifelong clear skin. She and her staff serve locally at Natural Acne Clinic in Wheat Ridge, Colorado and nationally via NAC’s Online Acne Program.

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