Acne Scars
If you have a history of acne, especially if you have experienced painful cysts or long-lasting bumps, you may also have to deal with acne scars.
Long-lasting acne scar treatment is possible.
Acne scars can persist long after acne breakouts have resolved and may affect skin texture, tone, and confidence. Scarring may appear as depressions in the skin, discoloration, enlarged pores, or uneven texture.
If you have acne scars that make you feel uncomfortable, consider scar treatment. A board-certified dermatologist can tell you what type of treatment may help diminish the appearance of your scars. At Steele Dermatology, we offer advanced acne scar treatments designed to improve skin texture and stimulate collagen production for smoother, healthier-looking skin.
Common signs of acne scars
Patients may notice:
- Pitted or depressed scars
- Rolling scars
- Boxcar scars
- Uneven texture
- Enlarged pores
- Post-inflammatory discoloration
Treatment for acne scars in Alpharetta & Buckhead
We offer a variety of acne treatment options to meet your needs. Our specialists will work with you decide which treatment is the best fit for your skin condition.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are hyaluronic acid gels that are injected in various levels of the skin to replace, restore or augment areas of the face or body.
PRP, PRF & EZGel
These dermal filler alternatives use your body’s natural growth factors to improve skin quality and stimulate collagen production.
RF Microneedling
Radiofrequency microneedling combines collagen stimulation with skin tightening to improve texture and crepey skin.
PRX Perfexion
PRX treatments help stimulate collagen renewal and improve overall skin quality with minimal downtime.
Microneedling
This corrective treatment stimulates collagen production to improve skin texture and soften imperfections.
Laser Skin Resurfacing (CO2)
CO2 laser resurfacing targets damaged skin layers and can significantly improve deeper scars.
Acne Scars FAQs
If you’ve had a history of or currently have acne, especially with painful cysts or long-lasting bumps, you may have acne scars that are leftover. Your scars can look like big pores or divots in the skin (also called ice pick scars) or they may look like wide depressions or little dents (boxcar scars) in the skin.
Acne may also leave red and dark spots, and while they are not technically scars, they are common and can be treated effectively. Rarely, acne bumps can also lead to keloid types of scars, which are usually raised, hard and darker in color. Research shows that the longer the acne bump is present, the more likely it is to leave a scar.
Acne scars develop when inflammation damages the skin and underlying collagen during the healing process. Think of it like a fire. That fire can burn the normal skin tissue around it. As a result, once the fire is extinguished (or the acne bump goes away), it can leave a permanent loss of normal skin tissue, which looks like a dent or hole.
These scars are permanent, i.e. they won’t go away unless you have some sort of treatment. Red and dark spots may go away on their own over time, assuming that the underlying acne is treated.
Factors that may increase scarring include:
- Severe inflammatory acne
- Delayed acne treatment
- Picking or squeezing blemishes
- Genetics
- Collagen loss during healing
You can get acne scars anywhere you have acne, including the face, chest, back and shoulders.
Most acne scars can be significantly improved, but complete removal is not always possible.
The best treatment depends on the type and severity of scarring.
It depends on the treatment, but most patients benefit from a series of treatments for optimal results.
Downtime varies depending on the treatment selected. Some procedures require minimal recovery while others involve more healing time.
Schedule a consultation for acne scars
Dr. Johnson and the team at Steele Dermatology offer personalized acne scar treatment plans tailored to your skin type and goals. A consult at our Alpharetta or Buckhead office will help learn more about your options.
Request an appointment
Schedule online, call (770) 464-6000 or text us, and one of our specialists will assist you.
