Exfoliation helps remove dead cells from the skin's surface, which can give your skin a smoother, more even appearance. While exfoliating may not erase your acne scars, it can certainly help improve uneven texture.
Using exfoliation for scars
Although exfoliation won't completely remove scars, it can diminish the appearance of scars by removing the dead cells on the skin's surface and revealing the healthier layer of cells underneath.
Microdermabrasion involves exfoliating the skin using a device with a diamond-tipped or abrasive surface to remove the outer layer of dead skin cells. This procedure can improve the texture and appearance of atrophic scars by promoting skin renewal and encouraging the growth of new, healthier skin cells.
It's natural to wonder, “Do indented scars fill in over time?” Unfortunately, these scars won't disappear on their own. Atrophic scars rarely go away completely, but with the help of a dermatology provider, you may be able to successfully reduce their appearance.
Pockmarks are deep scars on the skin that do not usually go away on their own. They are often caused by severe acne but can also be the result of skin infections or chickenpox. There are a number of treatments and home remedies that may help reduce the appearance of the scars and improve the look and feel of the skin.
For depressed scars: Both makeup artists we spoke with recommend using a filling primer to help fill in pitted, atrophic scars (often the result of deeper acne blemishes). “These are thicker and can actually fill up the hole,” says Adivi.
And vitamin C is a key player when it comes to creating collagen. Even though collagen and wounds are usually discussed in the context of repairing fresh injuries, since collagen helps make healthy tissue, it can impact older scars as well and improve their appearance.
Exfoliating can fade scars and make them smoother and less noticeable. But if you'd like to remove your scars, you may need treatment such as laser therapy.
Depressed (atrophic): These sunken scars often result from chickenpox or acne. They look like rounded pits or small indentations in the skin. Also called ice pick scars, they develop most often on the face. Acne scars may become more noticeable as you age because the skin loses collagen and elasticity over time.
For best results, you should perform scar massage for at least 10 minutes, twice a day, for six months. You should only stop sooner than that if the scar starts showing signs of infection or you experience intolerable discomfort.
It is important to note that salicylic acid cannot completely remove acne scars. Deep scars, such as ice pick scars, may require more aggressive treatments, such as laser therapy or microdermabrasion. However, salicylic acid can help to fade acne scars and make them less noticeable.
Retinol is also found in many acne scar treatment products because it promotes new skin cell growth and helps even out skin texture and skin tone — all of which can help reduce the appearance of newer, red acne scars and older scars.
Soft tissue fillers.
Injecting collagen, fat or other substances under the skin can plump the skin over indented scars. The goal is to make the scars less noticeable. Results are temporary, so repeat treatments are needed to retain the effect.
Skin purging can show itself as red bumps, whiteheads and blackheads on the face. In addition, it causes dead skin cells to surface, which results in flakiness and dryness. These signs can also indicate your skin is getting accustomed to a product.
Unless the fibers that attach the depressed area of skin to the muscle underneath are released, the indentation will remain no matter what types of surface treatments are performed. Subcision is the treatment that cuts the fibrous tethers pulling the scar down.
Laser therapy stands at the forefront of indented scar treatment, offering precise and targeted results. Two primary approaches include: Fractional Ablative Laser: Removes damaged skin layers while stimulating natural collagen production. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL): Addresses both scar texture and discoloration.
Scar Treatment. Although scars cannot be completely removed, their appearance can be improved to some extent. Methods for improving the appearance of scars include: Topical treatments.
Atrophic depressed facial scars can be effectively treated with hyaluronic acid fillers with esthetically satisfactory clinical outcome with a low risk or complications.
Pitting edema is a specific type of edema that's associated with pitting, or indentation, in the affected areas and is often caused by systemic conditions such as heart failure, kidney disease, or low protein levels, where fluid retention is the main issue.
Atrophic scars are the opposite of hypertrophic scars. They are depressed, sunken and often have a pitted appearance.