Acne scars are permanent indentations in the skin that appear after severe acne breakouts. Typically, 80% of people between 11 and 30 years get acne, and one out of five develop acne scars. Acne scars are not harmful to an individual’s health but can affect physical appearance and make them lose confidence. So, acne scars treatment is needed to get rid of these unsightly scars and boost self-esteem.
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What Causes Acne Scars?
Acne scars occur due to inflammation of acne blemishes. During an acne breakout, the pores swell with a breakdown occurring in the pores’ walls. Small acne blemishes heal quickly, leaving a shallow scar. Large acne blemishes, on the other hand, secrete their contents onto the surrounding tissues, causing deeper scars.
Acne Scars Types
There are mainly three types of acne scars, such as:
- Atrophic scars
- Hypertrophic and keloid scars
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
Let’s explain these scars briefly.
Atrophic Scars
Atrophic scars appear as depressed and often pitted areas on the skin. These occur when there is insufficient tissue recovery after an acne breakout. The most significant factor behind this improper skin recovery is collagen degeneration.
Atrophic scars are further divided into the following three types:
- Ice pick scars
- Boxcar scars
- Rolling scars
Hypertrophic and Keloid Scars
Hypertrophic scars
- Appear as raised scar tissue due to overproduction of collagen.
- Are of the same size as their acne pimples.
- Are not as common as other types of scars.
Keloid scars
- Occur for the same reason as hypertrophic scars but appear larger than their acne spots.
- Appear like small bumps and may have a bubble-like skin swelling.
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
Sometimes, the inflammation of an acne blemish may leave behind a mark. This mark appears as a dark spot due to the excess production of melanin (the skin’s natural pigment) during recovery. While hyperpigmentation can affect anyone, it is more common among people with a dark skin tone.
Acne Scar Treatments
Several treatments are available to make acne scars less noticeable. Here is a brief explanation of some of them.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are a promising treatment for acne scars but may not be the best solution for every type of acne scar. Depending on the type of scars, you may be treated with light, medium, or deep peels. Light peels may help treat superficial acne scars, while medium or deep peels are generally considered suitable for moderate acne scars.
Radiofrequency Treatment (RFT)
Radiofrequency Treatment for acne scars is a safe treatment. An expert passes pulsed radio waves through the skin’s dermis to produce micro thermal wounds. As a result of these minor wounds, the collagen is stimulated, leading to dermal remodeling and softening of acne scars.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is an effective acne scar treatment that gently removes the skin’s topmost layer with a handheld device. It reveals a new and fresh layer of skin underneath and enhances collagen and elastin production. This treatment is better suited for depressed and flat acne scars but doesn’t work for ice-pick scars.
Fractional CO2 Laser
Laser therapy is the most effective acne scars removal treatment, especially for atrophic scars. The procedure helps get rid of this skin problem using a high beam microscopic laser on the skin’s surface. This procedure significantly reduces acne scars and reveals a new skin surface. While it offers instant results, the effects continue to improve over time for at least 12 months.
Microneedling
Microneedling, also known as skin needling or derma rolling, is an effective way to treat acne scars. An expert uses a small, needle-studded, handheld roller on the scar surface during the procedure. The tiny needles puncture the skin, stimulating collagen and forming small pockets of healing.
Can acne scars be removed completely?
Generally, surface acne scars can be removed completely, while deeper scars can be made less noticeable. Most treatments available can reduce the appearance of acne scars.
How long do acne scars last?
Acne scars generally last a lifetime. However, you can treat them to reduce their appearance.
Is laser for acne scars safe?
Laser treatment is a safe technique to reduce acne scars, provided you get it from the hands of a board-certified dermatologist.
Is laser treatment for acne scars painful?
Laser treatment for acne scars is not painful, but it does cause minor irritation when the laser beam hits the skin. This irritation is usually easily tolerable.
Which acne scars are permanent?
Scars that appear after severe acne, particularly cystic acne, are more likely permanent.
Acne Scar Removal Results
Consult our Dermatologists
Do you want to treat your acne scars to get a flawless skin surface? Contact Euromed Clinic Dubai by calling +971 4 394 5422 or filling out the form below.

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