What skincare is best for depressed acne scars?

Author: Dr. Willard Lockman V  |  Last update: Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Retinoids: Topical retinoids help renew skin and can make minor depressed scarring less noticeable.

How to treat depressed acne scars?

Injectable dermal fillers are generally used to treat wrinkles, depressed acne scars, and facial lines. Most fillers are short-term (temporary). They last about 6 to 18 months. Laser resurfacing and light therapies.

How do you get rid of indented acne scars?

What's the best treatment for acne scars?
  1. Home skin care. Using sunscreen can help limit the contrast between unscarred skin and a scar. ...
  2. Soft tissue fillers. ...
  3. Steroid injection. ...
  4. Laser resurfacing. ...
  5. Other energy-based procedures. ...
  6. Dermabrasion. ...
  7. Chemical peel. ...
  8. Skin needling.

How do you fade depressed scars?

Treating Depressed Scars

Depressed scars can often be immediately removed or reduced with treatments like microdermabrasion or a chemical peel. Both of these techniques work by exfoliating the top layer of the skin, reducing the scar's appearance on the surface.

How do you cover up depressed scars?

How to Cover Scars With Makeup
  1. Prep skin with lots of moisture. ...
  2. Add a bit of primer. ...
  3. Apply a creamy concealer first. ...
  4. Gently blend your foundation. ...
  5. Set in place with powder.

How to FADE PITTED SCARS | Dr Dray

How do you fill in depressed scars?

Depressed scars (like acne scars or an old cut) can often be treated with dermal skin fillers like Restylane®. These injectable treatments can be performed to add volume below the skin in the area of the scar, helping the skin to attain a more even and smooth appearance.

Does vitamin C help with acne scars?

COLLAGEN PRODUCTION AND IMPROVEMENT IN THE APPEARANCE OF POST BLEMISH MARKS. Collagen is an important skin protein, providing the scaffold that gives skin its structure. By promoting collagen production, vitamin C effectively improves the appearance of post blemish marks.

How long does it take for depressed acne scars to fade?

Collagen-induction Therapy – best for widespread depressed acne scars. Also known as needling or microneedling, this treatment encourages your body to make more collagen to raise the depressed scar. It takes a while to see results from collagen-induction therapy, sometimes as long as 9 months.

Can you fix a depressed scar?

Several techniques and technologies have been used to correct these sequelae, and the combination of procedures seems to provide better results. Subcutaneous incision, or subcision, is an effective technique for the correction of depressed scars.

Does salicylic acid help indented scars?

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.

What is the best treatment for sunken acne scars?

Fillers: This treatment adds volume to depressed scars. Fillers can also help your body produce more collagen and elastin to fill in the scars. Dermatologists use different fillers, which last for varying amounts of time. Most fillers give temporary results, ranging from 3 months to 2 years.

Does retinol help with depressed acne scars?

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.

How to flatten hypertrophic scars at home?

Some common self-help treatments include: Silicone gel: Silicone sheets or ointment are used after the wound closes to prevent or reduce a raised scar. The self-adhesive sheets need to be worn every day, all day, usually for several months or longer.

Are depressed scars permanent?

Unlike hypertrophic acne scars, depressed scars are permanent. They caused by the loss of collagen during the healing process. This may be due to replacement of collagen fibers with fibrotic tissue, or a combination of both. In any event, they affect the well-being of those with them.

Is vitamin E or mederma better for scars?

Mederma: Although it is often recommended by physicians, this scar gel, which contains an onion extract, has no solid scientific evidence to support its use. Vitamin E: Although it is commonly used in anti-scarring products, clinical studies are disappointing.

Which vitamin is best for acne?

Vitamins can give the skin the extra boost needed to fight acne. Vitamin A, D, zinc, and omega-3s are the most widely used vitamins for treating acne. For more recommendations regarding acne-fighting supplements, consult a pharmacist or healthcare provider.

How to fade acne scars fast?

Dermabrasion or microdermabrasion: Best for widespread acne scarring, resurfacing treatments such as dermabrasion and microdermabrasion help treat acne scars that are mostly flat (but not too deep) in the skin. These treatments remove layers of skin and allow the body to produce new skin cells.

How to improve depressed acne scars?

Classically, device treatments such as dermabrasion and laser resurfacing have been considered first-line treatment of atrophic acne scarring. Most recently, fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) ablative laser was used successfully to treat atrophic acne scarring in a small randomized controlled, blinded evaluation.

Will indented scars fill in?

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.

Are acne scars unattractive?

People with acne scars are perceived as less attractive, confident, happy, healthy, successful, and less likely to lead promising futures compared to people with clear skin.

Is vitamin C or retinol better for acne scars?

Vitamin C strengthens the skin barrier function to hold moisture inside. No more dry and flaky patches! Smoother skin texture. Just like retinol, vitamin C can also boost cell turnover to fade acne scars and blemishes.

Is hyaluronic acid good for acne scars?

Yes, it does. While HA is not conclusively proven to help with the treatment or prevention of acne, it may help reduce redness and the appearance of acne. Most importantly, for people with acne, hyaluronic acid can help your skin heal and recover from acne scars.

Why am I getting pimples after using vitamin C serum?

Acids, vitamin C serums and retinoids can all cause purging. Purging is an initial acne breakout that can occur when you're starting a new active skincare product—one that causes your skin cells to turn over more quickly.

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