I have white scars on my face from when I used to pick my face. It's been years and won't go away at all. What can I do?

Question

White scars from picking my face how do I get rid of them and get back a regular color skin back. I'm white but tan because I go tanning.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office has many different treatments for acne scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Acne scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of acne scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic acne scars and indented acne scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve  the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture.  Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your acne scarring.
 
Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

A photo would have been helpful. However, in general terms, the kinds of whitish (usually ivory white) scars you describe are very difficult to treat. Sun exposure is bad for many reasons, including raising your chances for ultraviolet light induced photoaging and skin cancers over the long haul. But in the short term, since your scars cannot tan (due to the absence of pigment producing cells within the scar tissue) and your normal skin will, the scars will stand out that much more by contrast with the tanned skin.Unfortunately, for the present, no treatment is particularly great for this problem. However, I have had a fair measure of success over the years combining fractional microneedle resurfacing (aka medical microneedling, skin needling) with the application of topical tyrosine for improving both the texture of the scars and for blending their color better with the surrounding normal skin. As an aside, I have been totally underwhelmed with more expensive treatments, such as fraxel lasers or radiofrequency devices, finding them to be far more device manufacturer supported marketing hype and little hard science.Best to consult with a board certified aesthetic physician with experience and expertise in all forms of acne scar treatments before proceeding.

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

White scars area very difficult to treat and can be impossible to treat.  The best success I have is with eMatrix to help correct these scars.  Best, Dr. Green

I have white scars on my face from when I used to pick my face. It's been years and won't go away at all. What can I do?

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Everything you need to know about Scar Removal

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I have white scars on my face from when I used to pick my face. It's been years and won't go away at all. What can I do?

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Scar Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.