— Defacing

There are a variety of routes one can go for taking care of long lasting acne scars. However, there is nothing medically wrong with the scarring, it is a matter of aesthetics for people to treat the pock marks from acne. Low dose antibiotic therapy has been used to treat moderate cases of acne scarring. Severe scarring can be treated with dermabrasion, but should not be used on skin with active acne. Dermabrasion involves removing the surface layer of skin through high speed sanding to reduce pitted acne scars, or to improve the appearance of raised scars. The skin is numbed with a local anesthetic and a revolving abrasive wheel removes the surface layer. It takes two weeks for the healing process to be complete following the procedure. Other options include topical "natural" ointments to heal the scars, such as those containing Vitamin E, Aloe vera, and/or goldenseal. When you consult your dermatologist, you can have an assessment made as to the severity of your scarring and which approach may be appropriate for you.

Alice

Related Q&As

Antibiotics and acne

Acne treatment

Smoking — Acne?