Which treatments would help me best in correcting my acne scars and skin texture? Suggestions and advice please. (photos)

Question

These acne scars are still under a year old and I’d like to treat them asap. I’m already on Spironolactone but I need to find something that actively works on acne scars

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your concerns and photos so clearly. Acne scars and uneven skin texture can be frustrating, especially when you’ve worked hard to manage your skin. The best approach usually depends on the type and depth of the scars, as well as your skin’s overall health and healing ability.

Here’s a breakdown of effective options:

Microneedling (with or without PRP)
Creates tiny controlled injuries that stimulate collagen production.
Great for shallow boxcar scars, mild rolling scars, and overall texture improvement.
Can be enhanced with PRP (platelet-rich plasma) to promote faster healing and better results.
Fractional Laser Resurfacing
Targets deeper scars and uneven skin by resurfacing the skin in a controlled way.
Improves texture, pigmentation, and tightness, but downtime can range from a few days to a week depending on intensity.
Chemical Peels (medium-depth)
Helps smooth the skin surface and reduce pigmentation from acne scars.
Works best in combination with other treatments for more significant scar correction.
Subcision
Specifically useful for depressed rolling scars that tether the skin down.
Loosens the scar tissue so the skin can lift and smooth out. Often combined with fillers to optimize contour.
Topical Maintenance
Retinoids, vitamin C, and other exfoliating/repairing agents support long-term texture improvement and prevent future breakouts.

Summary:

For mild-to-moderate acne scarring and texture irregularities, a combination approach often works best: microneedling + PRP, fractional laser, or subcision/filler depending on scar type.
Patience is key: most treatments require a few sessions spaced over several months to see significant improvement.
Maintaining a consistent skincare routine helps preserve results and improve overall skin health.

With the right combination tailored to your skin type and scar patterns, it’s very possible to see noticeable improvement in texture and smoother, more even skin over time.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Acne scar treatments require precision and attention to detail. There are several types of acne scars, including atrophic, hypertrophic, PIH hyperpigmented, and hypopigmented scars. Depending on the types of scars you have, our office can recommend a Hidef treatment protocol that can recontour existing scars and reduce complexion irregularities. The results are simply life-changing.
 
As a general rule, we recommend fillers, subcision, acne surgery, RF ablation, and laser ablation to help with atrophic scars. Hypertrophic and keloid acne scars require pulsed dye laser and IIT SC. PIH scars require chemical peels, Melarase creams (AM and PM) and laser.
If you have ice-pick scars, we recommend RF ablation and TCA Cross.
Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Which treatments would help me best in correcting my acne scars and skin texture? Suggestions and advice please. (photos)

Answers (2)

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