Acne Scar Treatment Choices
Choosing among acne scar treatments takes more than a list. This article reads two statements on how to choose and says what they leave unsaid.
The documents and who published them
www.aad.org says that while you will find treatment for acne scars that you can use at home, getting the best results often requires in-depth knowledge of the skin and knowing what treatment works best for each type of acne scar.
health.clevelandclinic.org quotes an expert saying that depending on its severity, an acne scar can diminish by as much as two-thirds after treatment. It also says that for a pitted scar that won't heal well with standard treatment, a doctor may opt for punch excision.
What they ask of you
- Do not assume a home product fits your scar type.
- Learn which kind of scar you have. www.aad.org says the best treatment depends on it.
- Read "as much as two-thirds" as an upper figure, not an expected one.
- If you have a pitted scar, ask whether punch excision applies.
What they leave unsaid
Neither source says how to tell scar types apart, how long results take or what any option costs. A provider who examines your skin has to supply those answers.
Read further
The article on pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, Acne Scarring: Pathogenesis, Evaluation, and Treatment Options, is a separate source on scarring. The full piece at health.clevelandclinic.org is titled How To Get Rid of Acne Scars: 11 Solutions.
Your first question to a provider
Before you buy a home product, ask a provider to name your scar type. Then ask which of the options fit it.