Do acne scars stay forever?

Is it a scar or a leftover mark?

A true scar changes the skin's texture: it leaves an indentation or a raised area. Most acne scars are sunken. A flat patch of darker color is often postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, meaning extra pigment left after inflammation. A new scar can have both a texture change and discoloration; the color can fade while the indentation or raised tissue remains. Waiting for the color to settle is therefore different from waiting for the scar to disappear.1

How long should you wait for scars to fade?

There is no single fading deadline for acne scars. How a scar changes depends on its type, size and location. Raised scars can shrink over time without completely flattening, while sunken acne scars can become more noticeable with age as skin loses collagen and elasticity. Collagen is a protein that helps support skin. Scar treatments can make scars less noticeable, but 'less noticeable' and 'deleted' are not the same service.23

What can actually improve acne scars?

A dermatologist can identify your scar types and choose treatment around your health, age and how long you have had the scars. Treatment depends on scar type, so a single 'scar solution' has quite a lot of explaining to do. Several treatments can be combined when different scars need different approaches.45

• For sunken scars, fillers can lift recessed areas, while microneedling stimulates collagen production through tiny punctures.
• Laser resurfacing breaks down damaged scar tissue and stimulates collagen. Chemical peels remove surface skin so new skin can form.
• For deeper scars attached to underlying tissue, subcision releases those attachments. Punch excision removes an individual pitted scar and closes the area with stitches.
• For raised scars, corticosteroid injections can reduce their size and ease itching or pain. Silicone sheets can reduce a raised scar's hardness, redness and size.

Expect improvement rather than perfectly restored skin. Microneedling commonly needs four to six treatments, with redness lasting a couple of days afterward. Laser resurfacing can need three to five sessions, with swelling, redness and possible bleeding for up to five days afterward. Those recovery periods are not deadlines for the final result. Laser treatment can also cause skin darkening or lightening in people with dark skin, so discuss those risks before choosing a procedure.25

Can skincare remove scars at home?

Retinoids and facial acids can help reduce the appearance of acne scars, but natural home remedies cannot remove them. Research on scar products containing onion extract, vitamin A or vitamin E is limited, which gives the packaging more certainty than the research. Ask a dermatologist before choosing a scar treatment. Silicone sheets are for raised scars; they require daily use, often for months. Report a rash or skin breakdown, because you may need to stop the sheets and switch treatment.45

What should you do now?

Treat ongoing acne early and continue treatment to reduce new scars. Do not pick, squeeze or scratch breakouts, because these increase inflammation and scarring risk. Seek treatment for deep, painful pimples rather than trying to empty them yourself. Use broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher on scars not covered by clothing.14

See a doctor if a raised scar keeps growing beyond the original breakout or bothers you. It could be a keloid, a scar that grows beyond the original injury. Early treatment can help stop its growth. Surgery alone is usually avoided because a keloid can return bigger.7