Many people develop noticeable acne scarring after years of persistent breakouts. For some, these marks are temporary changes in skin color that fade over time. For others, acne leaves behind more permanent indentations or red and brown pigmentation that can give the skin a rough, “cobblestone” appearance.
While acne scarring can be frustrating, understanding how it forms and what can be done about it is the first step toward healthier-looking skin.
At Best Impression Med Spa in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, Dr. Robert Mirabile and Dr. Vivian Hsu help patients address acne scarring with individualized treatment plans based on scar type, depth, and skin health.
Pimples, also called acne lesions, develop when pores become clogged with dead skin cells and oil. This blockage allows bacteria to grow beneath the skin, leading to inflammation.
Acne can appear in several forms:
The more severe the acne, the greater the risk of scarring. Nodular acne is especially likely to leave permanent marks, while mild acne is more likely to heal without lasting texture changes. Treating acne early and effectively may help reduce the risk of long-term scarring.
While not all acne scars can be prevented, there are steps that may reduce your risk.
First, avoid picking or squeezing pimples. Doing so disrupts the skin’s natural healing process, spreads inflammation, and increases the likelihood of deeper tissue damage.
Second, address breakouts as soon as they appear. Early treatment helps calm inflammation, which is one of the main contributors to scar formation.
Finally, pay attention to patterns in your skin. Understanding which products, habits, or triggers contribute to breakouts can help you manage acne more effectively and lower the chance of scarring over time.
Not all marks left behind by acne are true scars. Many mild breakouts leave temporary red or brown discoloration that fades on its own without treatment.
True acne scars typically fall into two categories:
Before treating acne scars, active acne must be fully controlled to prevent new scars from forming.
Treatment options vary depending on the depth and extent of scarring.
For more superficial scarring, treatments such as chemical peels or microdermabrasion may help improve skin texture and tone.
For deeper or more extensive scarring, advanced resurfacing treatments may be recommended, including:
This laser works within the dermal collagen layer to improve deeper acne scars. It typically requires a series of treatments, with minimal disruption to the skin’s surface and a short recovery period. Temporary redness resembling a mild sunburn is common.
This procedure removes damaged surface skin while tightening deeper layers. It is often used for more advanced scarring and usually requires one to two treatments. Healing typically takes one to two weeks, with redness fading gradually over time.
This mechanical resurfacing technique removes damaged skin using a rotating instrument. New, smoother skin replaces the treated area as it heals, which can take several weeks. Results vary based on scar depth and skin type.
Your provider will determine which option is most appropriate based on your skin and scarring pattern.
If acne scarring is affecting your confidence, a professional evaluation can help clarify your options.
Best Impression Med Spa offers personalized consultations to assess your skin and recommend treatments designed to improve texture and tone safely and effectively. In addition to scar treatment, our team also provides care for active acne using topical therapies and medicated treatments when appropriate.
Call our Pennsylvania office to schedule your consultation, or book online to take the first step toward smoother, healthier-looking skin.
