The problem with an acne scar is exactly that, it’s a scar. Meaning this is permanent.  Yes, over a period of years these scars will become less red and less pigmented. They will slowly look closer and closer to your normal surrounding skin.  But it will never be the same as normal skin. 

There are many cosmetic treatments that target the color of the scars or are designed to remodel the scar tissue.  Some of these include:

• lasers
• chemical peels
• retinoids
• microneedling
• punch excisions

All of these techniques don’t remove scars, they work by making scars less noticeable at a social distance.  Health insurance will not cover these cosmetic treatments and they are typically very high out-of-pocket costs.  But nobody has discovered how to replace scar tissue with normal skin, at least yet. 

Our stance at the Arch Dermatology Institute is to treat acne early and aggressively so as to limit anyone’s risk of developing scarring.  All of our acne patients receive close follow-ups as we find a regimen that works best for each person’s skin.  

Treating the underlying driver of scarring (aka the acne) and preventing scar tissue from forming are the best ways to avoid having depressions or thick scars on your face for the rest of your life.