How to Treat Deep Pitted Acne Scars
Deep pitted acne scars are a permanent reminder of old acne, and can distract from the appearance of clear skin. Perhaps you have been battling acne for years, or perhaps your deep pitted acne scars are from newer acne breakouts. Either way, deep pitted acne scars do not resolve on their own.
Dr. Schweiger explains that, “The most effective treatment for deep pitted acne scars is a treatment called the Fractional CO2 laser. For most patients, one treatment is sufficient to produce up to 75% improvement in deep acne scars. Alternative treatments for acne scars include the injection of dermal fillers to fill in the pitted skin, subcision to break up the scar tissue pulling down on the skin, and deep chemical peels to stimulate collagen production.”
Fractional CO2 laser treatment for deep pitted scars works by sending laser energy through the skin to ablate the scarred superficial skin, and stimulate the skin’s own collagen production. Most patients require only one treatment with the Fractional CO2 laser. Some improvement is seen quickly, even before your two week follow up appointment. However, the full improvement will be realized a few months after the treatment, once your collagen has had a chance to turnover and repair the areas of acne scarring.
It is important to restart your anti-acne regimen after treating your acne scars, in order to prevent the development of acne scars in the future. Treatment with the Fractional CO2 laser is permanent; the improvement that you experience will never go away.
Click here to learn more about Fractional CO2 resurfacing for deep pitted acne scars.