They’re one of the most stubborn forms.

These effects can includehyperpigmentationand even scarring.

In some cases, scars can take the appearance of dents in the skin.

And those pittedacne scarscan take monthsif not yearsto disappear.

Meet the Experts

What Are Pitted Acne Scars?

This concave appearance is due to a sudden loss ofcollagen.

“The best way to prevent acne scars from forming is to properly treat the initial acne lesions.

Delaying treatment of acne lesions can increase your risk of scarring.

Additionally, try not to pick or squeeze acne lesions as this increases inflammation and your risk of scarring.

Acne scars can change the appearance, contour, and texture of skin,” says Dr. Camp.

Left unaddressed, pitted acne scars can take time to fade.

In some cases, they may never disappear completely.

The indentation of pitted scars typically do not fill in on their own butdiscolorationcan improve over time.

Here are treatments you could turn to to make it fade the appearance of pitted acne scars.

Yet, they efficiently exfoliate dead skin and prevent pores from clogging.Dr.

“The long-term use of retinoids is thought to help with collagen production,” says Dr. Camp.

He recommends DifferinAdapalene Gel, which used to be a prescription product but is now available over-the-counter.

When performed properly, they are painless and can provide deep exfoliation.

Non-ablative lasers are much less invasive than ablative, requiring multiple treatments.

But, be warned, Dr. Camp points out it can cause bruising.

see to it the formula containsazelaic acidand salicylic acid for extra exfoliation to help reveal a smoother skin surface.

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion(of varying depths) works in a similar way to chemical peels.

Dermabrasion can also help limit breakouts and reduce excess oil in pores.

Radio Frequency

Skin tightening using radio frequency can help reduce the appearance of pitted acne scars.

It creates kinetic energy that triggers the body’s healing process.

As a result, the skin produces additional collagen, softening the appearance of scars.

TCA CROSS

TCA CROSS stands for Trichloroacetic Acid Chemical Reconstruction of Skin Scars.

It is a punch in ofchemical peelprocedure used to treat acne scarring.

Dermatologist, Jessica Weiser, MD, says icepick scars in particular may benefit from the procedure.

This will close off the depth of the scar.

Tiny cylinders of skin are removed to stimulate a wound healing response, adds Dr. Weiser.

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