Acne scarring of any kind can serve as a painful reminder of previous breakouts, and it can distract from otherwise healthy skin. Pitted scars, also known as depressed scars, come in many shapes and sizes. These scars are characterized by narrow, round or boxy depressions in the skin, and they often occur in clusters or patches. Pitted scars form when excessive inflammation occurs, causing a break in the follicle wall. The deeper the inflammation, the more likely there will be tissue loss, and a visible depression left behind on the skin.
Consult with a board-certified dermatologist like Dr. Joel Schlessinger about scar treatment.
Pitted acne scarring will not fade away on its own. In order to successfully minimize its appearance, you will need to consult with an experienced, board-certified dermatologist to help determine the best course of treatment. Though there are no over-the-counter or prescription topical treatments known to effectively reduce the appearance of pitted scarring long-term, there are several professional procedures that can make a significant improvement.
Dr. Joel Schlessinger recommends the Fraxel laser resurfacing treatment to help minimize acne scarring.
CO2 laser resurfacing has long been regarded as the gold standard for effectively treating a variety of skin concerns, including fine lines, hyperpigmentation and scars. More recently, new developments in laser technology have made this option even safer for the treatment of acne scars.
Fraxel is a semi-ablative procedure that is founded on the skin’s natural healing processes. During the procedure, microscopic laser wounds are spaced evenly across the skin to help stimulate renewal and repair. This jumpstarts the production of healthy collagen so that instead of experiencing immediate results, Fraxel allows skin to continue to rejuvenate and improve in tone and texture over a period of about six months. Fraxel laser resurfacing also features a new delivery system that helps the laser’s tiny microbeams penetrate the skin while leaving healthy tissue behind. With healthy tissue intact, the healing process is expedited, and usually only one session is needed to produce visible results.
The best way to avoid pitted acne scars is to treat acne early on, says Dr. Joel Schlessinger.
Even with advanced treatments like Fraxel, the results are not permanent, and there is no way to completely eradicate the appearance of deep pitted scars. The best way to avoid pitted acne scarring is to seek professional treatment for acne early, usually as a pre-teen or teen when the initial mild to moderate breakouts appear.
Do you have a question for Dr. Schlessinger about treating pitted acne scars? Let us know in the comments section.