What's the best thing for acne scars?

[aliana]

Originally Posted by Andi /img/forum/go_quote.gif



I did spot treatments with 2 layers of 15% TCA on the areas where I have my icepick scars (they´re small though, and I think I have about 6 so it´s not bad at all, you can barely see them unless you´re up close). I also did 2 tries of TCA CROSS on the scars (did it myself, since the procedure itself is quite simple), which improved them a bit. In the end I would say I got a 50% improvement, although I can´t say if it was the 15% TCA or the TCA CROSS that gave me the improvement-probably a combination of both.

I wouldn´t use dermarollers on myself either, even if I had bad scars. I read that not a lot of dermatologists do it because supposably the documented actual improvement is quite small. Plus, you´d have to have scars on a large area of your face to be able to use a dermaroller I think. For individual pitted scars, TCA CROSS is an option, but not every dermatologist will do this either.

There are different types of acne scars, and according to your type, number and severity of scars there will be different treatments. If your skin can handle them, chemical peels are worth a try. If anything, they will improve your skin tone & texture, maybe take some of the redness away that some pitted scars have.

I have 3 pitted scars that bother me A LOT and a weird skin texture. I have 2 icepick one but they don't bother me as much. I would love 50% improvement! I don't know where to start with chemical peels. I think I'll do a search if I can get TCA cross in my country...

 

[Andi]

Originally Posted by aliana /img/forum/go_quote.gif




I have 3 pitted scars that bother me A LOT and a weird skin texture. I have 2 icepick one but they don't bother me as much. I would love 50% improvement! I don't know where to start with chemical peels. I think I'll do a search if I can get TCA cross in my country...

I´m not an expert, but it sounds like you have boxcar (the 3 wide pits you mentioned) and rolling scars (the uneven, bumpy skin texture). I think CROSS only works on icepick scars from what I´ve read, so it sounds like that´s not really an option. Have you ever consulted a dermatologist about your scars?

You can always try a round of low % at-home glycolic acid peels to see how that evens out your skintone, but chemical peels really have their limitations with acne scars.

 

[aliana]

Originally Posted by Andi /img/forum/go_quote.gif




I´m not an expert, but it sounds like you have boxcar (the 3 wide pits you mentioned) and rolling scars (the uneven, bumpy skin texture). I think CROSS only works on icepick scars from what I´ve read, so it sounds like that´s not really an option. Have you ever consulted a dermatologist about your scars?

You can always try a round of low % at-home glycolic acid peels to see how that evens out your skintone, but chemical peels really have their limitations with acne scars.

My dermatologist said it would improve on it's own and he didn't want to talk about it any further.  I know I can never get rid of them completely, I just want to make them look better and if chemical peels can do that, than I'm willing to try. I've been lurking on acne.org for half a year now and I still don't know what to do *sigh*

 

[CHaNGiNGFaCESx]

See, I don't know what I have then, I don't know what the difference between ice pick and pitted scars are.  I also have some messed up scarring on my chin where it's not a pit hole, but actually the skin is like rough/lumpy..some of the scars are bad on my chin where it actually makes a line like i was cut or something because I guess I had a couple in that area and then the scars all formed or whatever but my chin was notorious for that when I was younger to get zits all in the same spot right next to each other and all congregating in one area

 

[Andi]

Aliana, is there any way you can get a 2nd opinion from a different dermatologist? It sounds like the previous one wasn´t in the aesthetic dermatology field and probably wasn´t trained in any of the procedures. I live in a very rural area, and if I had acne scars I´d have to travel to a bigger city to go to a specialist, because the derms in my area only treat acne, not scars.

Like I said, there´s no harm in starting out with a low % peel at home.

Changingfaces, this link might help you to figure out what kind of scars you have so you maybe you can look into what treatments would work for you: http://acne.about.com/od/livingwithacne/tp/acnescartypes.htm. Have you had your scars evaluated by a dermatologist?

 

[DreamWarrior]

Andi, that link didnt work for me, but I did find this link that I thought might help:

http://www.acne.org/acne-scar-treatment.html

 

[Andi]

Originally Posted by DreamWarrior /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Andi, that link didnt work for me, but I did find this link that I thought might help:

http://www.acne.org/acne-scar-treatment.html

that´s an awesome link, even better that it lists the treatment options and for which scars they usually work

 

[mimi86]

use tretinoin or glicolic acid at nights it peels out the scars and makes  your skin glow.

 

[TINY HINY]

i had the same problem, it really sucks. but what i noticed makes them lighter is moisturizing and drinking plenty of water. so try that it will

 

[musingmuse]

I've been using Alpha Hydrox glycolic acid 10% at nightime and in the mornings. It really helped with the minor scars and pigmentation.

I've also used prescriptions like Benzaclin which is used for acne, but it also makes your skin peel and helps with pigmentation.

I have some deep scars that I know will never go away. but oh well! /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

If it's severe and makes you cry the best option is to see a dermatologist or your family doctor, imho.

 

[musingmuse]

Originally Posted by TINY HINY /img/forum/go_quote.gif

i had the same problem, it really sucks. but what i noticed makes them lighter is moisturizing and drinking plenty of water. so try that it will

YES! water and moisturizing make a huge difference.

For me, working out helps with breakouts as well as relaxation and getting enough sleep.

Avoid tanning! it makes everything worse /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[redlipstick]

hey there, try Metaderm. they have a car lightening cream variant. deliberately formulated for acne scars and other types of scars. you can check their website to read about the product and the ingredients (which is also important to look at by the way). try this kind of treatment first before going for laser treatment which is costly and perhaps painful. creams work also.

 

[PHouston]

Some say lemon juice works (see other threads) but I haven't tried it so I can't be sure if it really works on acne scars. What always works for me though is NeuCell. It's got apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, and Diacetyl Boldine. You can check on their website and see the other ingredients but for me, so far, this is the best skin lightening cream I've ever used.

 

[Shaylynn]

Sugar mixed with honey is a good option for a facial scrub.

A chemical peel every few weeks helps too. 

 

[MissSensuous]

To my knowledge Rosehip Oil and Vitamin E oil are two of the best scar faders. Both are natural and a little goes a long way...

 

[mirjam72]

I can give you two options. First is go for another skin lightening cream (this time with no hydroquinone which just damages the skin even more) and I'd recommend NeuCell for that. Another is try natural remedies in fading those scars or spots. I found this from a website. It says there that lemon juice, tomato, olive oil, natural face mask (which recipes can be found all over the web), ice, and sandalwood and rosewater. 

 

[Erich]

Aloe Vera gel is considered to be good to solve this problem. Except it replenish your body with plenty of water, eat fresh fruits and proper nutritious diet helps a lot. 

 

[Laisha Donnelly]

Dermal md scar serum helps to give a clearer looking skin by lightning the acne scars and marks .it helps in attaining a smoother brighter and even skin tone. Must try

 

[Masque]

Don't compromise on health - get these Daily Greens Supplements and revitalize your health

Are they good for acne scars?

 

[m1lesss]

I have finally got my acne under control but I still have these little red marks all over my cheeks from when I had bad acne. I googled it and I don't really understand all the medical terms & the blah blah,,,soo does anybody have any suggestions? I am kinda on a budget so is there anything out there that can help them fade away without costing a fortune?! I definately cannot afford laser removal & all that...is there any drugstore product that would help & actually work? Someone told me to try Mederma...but I wasn't sure you could use that for acne scars. Any recs out there?

Acne is a common skin condition that can cause inflammation and redness on the face, neck, chest, and back. It’s also associated with blackheads and whiteheads (acne pilaris), which are small, plug-like collections of oil and sebum clogged up in the hair follicles.

In addition, acne can also lead to a rash on the scalp. The most common cause of scalp acne is sebum production from the sebaceous glands (oil-producing glands near the hair follicles) in response to hormonal changes brought on by puberty or stress. Acne can also be caused by bacteria or parasites.