Even when my clients and I successfully get rid of their acne, the acne scars that are left behind can linger for weeks, months, and sometimes years.
Acne scarring commonly appears as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark brown or red marks) or textural irregularities like indentations in the skin. No matter how good the skincare routine, esthetician, or treatment, the journey to heal acne scars takes time, dedication, and patience.
With the right approach, it's possible to significantly improve, and in many cases, completely eliminate acne scarring. Here are my recommendations on how best to treat acne scars depending on the type of scarring you have, along with my favorite at-home products.
How to Treat Textural Acne Scars (Acne Pits)
For textural acne scars, also known as acne pits, I highly recommend undergoing 6-12 sessions of professional collagen induction therapy (microneedling) every 4-6 weeks.
Microneedling is a tried-and-true method to safely and naturally enhance skin texture with minimal downtime or invasiveness. Alongside microneedling, incorporating topical Vitamin A (such as Environ AVST or C-quence 1-4) and Vitamin C (like Environ’s Mela-Even Cream) into your daily skincare routine will maximize collagen stimulation and skin renewal.
For severe and deep acne scarring, consult a dermatologist about fractional laser treatments and prescription tretinoin for deep collagen stimulation over 6-12 months.
How to Treat Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (Acne Marks)
When dealing with post-acne pigmentation, I recommend investing in quality homecare products and, if needed, receiving 3-6 professional chemical peels from an esthetician.
I offer VI Peels to my clients, which are TCA-based medium-depth chemical peels that can lighten and brighten even the most stubborn acne pigmentation.
Combining Treatments for Acne Pits and Pigmentation
In cases where clients struggle with both acne pits and post-inflammatory pigmentation, combination therapies yield the best results. I rotate between microneedling and chemical peels every 4-6 weeks for a total of 6-12 sessions.
For at-home care, I recommend using Vitamin A and C products, along with mild fruit acid-based serums and creams to brighten and improve skin complexion (my list of recommendations are below). It's crucial to protect your skin from the sun during this process as sun exposure can worsen pigmentation.
Best Products for Healing Acne Scars
Here are some of my top-recommended products for improving acne scars and post-acne marks:
- Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 1970 and P50 PIGM 400: Excellent for improving texture and pigmentation.
- Biologique Recherche MC 110 N°1 Booster: Enhances skin texture by smoothing out wrinkles and fine lines.
- Biologique Recherche Iso Placenta Serum: Specifically formulated to heal and improve acne scars while brightening the skin.
- Environ Vita-Peptide C-Quence 1-4: A powerful combination of Vitamins A, E, and C to repair and renew the skin.
- Environ Mela-Even Cream: An intense Vitamin C booster to brighten dark spots left by acne.
- Biologique Recherche Creme Iso-Placenta: A healing cream designed for post-acne scarring. Promotes cell regeneration to diminish the appearance of imperfections caused by acne.
- Biologique Recherche Creme Aux Acides De Fruits: A fruit acid-based cream that improves pigmentation and brightens skin tone.
- Environ AVST Moisturiser 1: Rich in Vitamin A, this cream helps heal and rejuvenate the skin.
- Biologique Recherche Masque Vivant: Revitalizes and stimulates epidermal functions while brightening the complexion.
By following a consistent skincare routine and utilizing the right combination of treatments, you can effectively minimize the appearance of acne scars and regain clear, smooth skin.
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