Get clear skin after acne: Here's how to remove pimple scars

Timely treatment of acne not only stops new breakouts but also protects your skin from deeper damage and permanent scars (Image: Canva)

Acne most often affects the face, and many people develop some degree of scarring, sometimes worse with more severe acne. According to a research in National Institutes of Health (NIH), scars form due to abnormal skin healing after inflammation, with 77 percent of atrophic scars showing signs of inflammatory cell buildup. Different strains of P. acnes can trigger varying levels of immune response, which may affect acne severity. In people who don’t scar easily, early acne lesions spark a broad but short-lived immune reaction.

According to Dr Piyusha Bhagde, Founder and Chief Dermatologist at Skin Ethics Clinic, Akola, the first step is to get your acne under control as soon as possible. “The fewer breakouts you have, the less chance there is of scarring. Remember, acne treatment is different for different people and needs a personalised approach. For mild to moderate acne, topical treatments like prescription-strength salicylic or azelaic acid can help. For more stubborn cases, a dermatologist might suggest oral retinoids, antibiotics, or even hormone-balancing options like oral contraceptives in women,” she says.

Timely treatment, Dr Bhagde adds, not only stops new breakouts but also protects your skin from deeper damage and permanent scars.

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Professional solutions and procedures:

When acne scars are already visible, the right procedures can help improve skin texture and tone. Says Dr Bhagde, "The treatment approach depends on the scar type, whether it’s rolling, boxcar, icepick, or hypertrophic. Resurfacing techniques like chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laser therapy work well for shallow scars. Deeper, more stubborn scars may need micro-needling, punch excision, or even minor surgeries. Some treatments stimulate collagen, while others lift or remove damaged skin. The key is expert assessment, knowing what kind of scar you have and matching it with the right therapy.”

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Dr Bhagde shares some treatment options that may help to treat acne scars:

• Resurfacing treatments: Laser therapy, dermabrasion, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels remove damaged skin layers to reveal smoother skin.
• Fillers: Injectables like collagen or fat help lift depressed scars by adding volume.
• Micro-needling: Encourages collagen production through tiny skin punctures, improving skin texture.
• Radiofrequency tightening: Tightens skin and reduces deep scars using energy-based devices.
• Chemical peels: Removes top layers of the skin to help with discoloration and shallow scarring.
• Punch excisions: Removes deep, pitted scars using a small surgical tool.
• Injections: Corticosteroids help flatten raised or keloid scars.
• Surgical correction: Removes stubborn or deep scars with stitches or skin grafts.
• Cryosurgery: Freezes raised scars, helping them  fall off gradually.
• Electrodesiccation: Uses electrical currents to burn off scar tissue, especially for boxcar scars.