Most folks who have suffered with moderate or mild acne will not end up with serious scarring. However people who suffer from severe acne may end up with acne scarring. This does not mean you have to give up hope. New treatments for acne can keep scarring to a minimum and existing acne scars can be removed using various techniques.

Pimples can result in discolored patches of skin. This discoloration is not really a scar and these "acne scars" fade within one year and will usually clear up. We consider skin defects or marks that are noticeable for more than one year to be scars. These acne scars can usually be treated and this acne scars treatment is discussed a bit further down this page.

How to Prevent Acne Scars

Through a program of active treatment and self-control acne scars may be minimized or prevented. Picking your pimples is something you should avoid at all costs. Some folks attempt to pop acne whiteheads or acne blackheads by squeezing them. But this is something you definitely do not want to do. This will not only result in a bacteria infection but can damage your skin leading to permanent acne scarring.

Over-the-counter medications can often times be used to treat mild cases of acne. However those with severe cases of acne should see a dermatologist. Your dermatologist may prescribe topical ointments for you to use on your skin and also may prescribe oral medications. In some situations your health care provider may remove your acne whiteheads or acne blackheads as well as drain any nodules that are pus filled. Your dermatologist will use instruments in this acne surgery procedure that have been sterilized. These are procedures that you should not attempt on your own.

One of the causes for pimples forming on your skin is because of bacteria. Bacteria can inflame and damage your skin. After you have cleared up your acne, your skin may have a discolored appearance. This discolored appearance is part of your body's healing process and will most likely disappear after a period of time.

You may be prescribed medications such as Alpha-Hydroxy, Renova, or Retin-A to help speed up this healing process. Exposure to sunlight may damage your skin and should be minimized during this healing process. Sunscreens are always a good idea.

Most importantly you must keep yourself from picking the scabs that form over your old acne lesions. Scabs are part of your body's healing process and by picking them you expose your skin to bacterial infections and you delay the time required for your scars to heal.

Acne Scars - How to Remove Them

If you are looking to remove acne scars, you may be have some questions about how to get rid of acne scars. Questions such as: Can laser surgery clear acne scars? How about cosmetic surgery for acne scars? Is there an effective home treatment for acne scars? How does chemical treatment for acne scars work? What about treatment of cystic acne scars? What is the best treatment for depressed acne scars? Are there any effective creams for acne scars?

If you have scars left behind from acne you (and your dermatologist) can treat them in various ways. If you have scars that are not very severe, a chemical peel may be applied to your skin. This chemical peel may help to remove the top layer of your skin and allow the skin cells underneath to rejuvenate or heal.

Laser treatment for acne scars or dermabrasion may be prescribed for scarring that is more severe. Lasers can help remove the layer of skin that is damaged and cause the skin underneath to tighten thereby raising the depression that is caused by the scar. Some folks find this procedure to be a bit painful. Your dermatologist may use a topical anesthetic to help alleviate your pain. Most folks find that the healing process after having acne scar laser treatment takes between 3 to 10 days.

The process of dermabrasion removes your scars by scraping away the skin's surface where the scarring is occurring. After this dermabrasion process the healing of your skin results in a new layer of skin being formed. Both laser treatments and dermabrasion will result in your skin turning red, but this discoloration will disappear after a couple of months.

As always, make sure that you consult with your dermatologist before embarking on any type of acne scars remedies.