Acne: It's Not Just for Teens

Though a pimple can ruin your day, most acne clears up quickly and you can forget all about it. But some types of acne leave scars that last for years. Scar treatments can reduce the prominence of scars and improve the appearance of skin. However, make sure you talk to your dermatologist about what to expect. Restoring your skin to the way it looked before may not be possible.

The first hurdle to scar treatment is clearing up existing acne. Discuss options with a dermatologist, including the safest, most effective ways you can treat scars. Once acne has resolved, you may be advised to try a topical scar cream or gel to reduce the appearance of superficial scars and skin discoloration. Products containing collagen-boosting ingredients, including retinol, vitamin C, and glycolic acid, may plump up the skin around a scar and make it less visible.

For mild scarring, a dermatologist may recommend a skin resurfacing treatment, like a chemical peel or microdermabrasion. In laser resurfacing, a dermatologist uses a laser to slough off the top layer of skin to reveal smooth new skin beneath. Dermabrasion procedures use manual techniques to remove the damaged layer of skin. Indented scars may respond better to "filler" injections.