Acne scarring is a problem that plagues many people long after the acne itself is long gone.
There are large, crater-like scars that many with cystic acne suffer from, while those with less severe types of acne leave lighter yet still noticeable scars. There are ways to take care of most any type of acne scarring no matter how mild or severe. A good first stop is your dermatologist. He or she can figure out what kind of acne scars you have and what the best course of action is for your individual skin issues.
If you currently suffer from either acne vulgaris or cystic acne, the golden rule is never to pick at your face or pop pimples, no matter how enticing. Even the most swollen pimples should not be popped by anyone but a dermatologist or esthetician because this can cause bacteria to be pushed down into the skin and make your problem worse, leaving an unsightly scar. If you can stand it, simply apply acne treatment to the zit until it disappears. To prevent acne scarring, never pick at or pop your pimples.
Your dermatologist can take care of existing scars from old breakouts with a variety of techniques. Laser resurfacing is popular these days because there is minimal pain, minimal recovery time and noticeable results. Chemical peels are another way professionals are helping their clients achieve younger, clearer skin. With acne scarring it is sometimes necessary to reveal layers of skin far beneath the scar, which can involve a period of healing. This is especially the case with strong chemical peels. With some chemical peels you must stay indoors for days or even weeks.
There are some over the counter treatments like Mederma that claim to minimize the look of scars but they are not made for acne. A few over the counter companies like Neutrogena have come out with treatments that treat current acne, prevent future acne and fade scars with salicylic acid. Then there are specialized products for those suffering from adult acne and adult acne scarring. If you want an over the counter line consider Neutrogena, L’Oreal or Olay. However if your scars are severe the only solution might be the dermatologist, which will cost more but provide more dramatic results.