How to Get Rid of Acne Scars Fast
Acne scars can be difficult to remove, as they are often located below the surface of the skin in small, dense pockmarks. Scarring occurs when healing skin creates a buildup of collagen and tissue in a particular area, but scars below the surface of the skin are quite difficult to treat topically. That said, there are several methods known to be effective for those trying to find out how to get rid of acne scars fast.
Laser Therapy
There are many different types of laser therapy for scar removal, each with slightly different qualities to recommend it. Pulsed-dye laser therapy has the ability to remove the red coloration from acne scars, which can improve their appearance dramatically. This procedure typically produces results within a month’s time. Carbon dioxide laser therapy used to be common, but this method destroys the surface of the skin, resulting in an open wound that can be vulnerable to infection as the skin beneath heals and regenerates.
Creams
Topical creams containing ingredients such as Retinol-A and alpha hydroxy acid can be an option for those who want to learn how to get rid of acne scars fast. They are easy to access and mainly sold in over-the-counter, non-prescription cosmetics. Keep in mind, however, that these products will most likely be suited for very minimal scarring; deeper acne scars are attached to the subdermal tissue beneath the surface of the skin, and will generally not respond to gentle topical treatments.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion techniques are mostly useful for surface discoloration, and will not be effective on deeper scar tissues. The process of microdermabrasion involves exfoliating the surface of the skin with a mechanical element, usual crystals, particle-free diamond tips, or particle-free bristles. The dead exfoliated skin is suctioned away, resulting in smoother, more absorbent skin. Microdermabrasion spurs collagen production within the skin, and may impart a variety of superficial dermal benefits.
Chemical Peels
Similar to the effects achieved with microdermabrasion, chemical peels may help those asking how to get rid of acne fast by utilizing chemical methods to remove the surface layer of the skin. An acidic chemical solution is applied to the surface of the skin, causing it to eventually peel off – hence the term chemical “peel.” The most common ingredients in these solutions are alpha hydroxy, beta hydroxy, and retinoic acids, but other options are available as well.
Subcision and Punch Excision
Reserved only for the very deepest of acne scars, these are not methods for those asking how to get rid of acne fast. However, for very damaged skin that does not respond to other treatment, subcision and punch techniques can be a valuable last resort. Both are surgical procedures; subcision cuts beneath the surface of the skin to separate the acne surface scarring from the subdermal tissue, allowing for the possibility of new skin formation. Punch excision actually cuts scars out of the skin and then inserts either healthy skin grafts or small sutures.
Some methods work better than others, and those trying to find out how to get rid of acne fast should consider all possible options, as well as their own personal history, before making a decision about a procedure.
