Experts suggest in-salon and at-home treatments to get rid of acne scars

If you’ve tackled a bout of acne and come out triumphant, it may feel like the battle has been won. However, so many blemishes leave their mark on your skin long after the breakout has subsided. Pitted scars and patches of red pigmentation can linger for months—even years—but there are tactics you can employ to smooth your way back to bright, even skin.

Here, we ask the experts to reveal exactly how to get rid of acne scars and pigmentation as quickly (and safely) as possible.

What are acne scars?

A generalised term, acne scarring can be used to refer to a multitude of different marks that a breakout may leave behind. "Acne scars come in different forms, including rolling, boxcar and ice-pick scars," explains Pamela Marshall, clinical aesthetician and founder of Mortar & Milk.

While most types of scarring can be treated via various methods, there is one subset that requires specialist treatment, as aesthetician and founder of West Room Aesthetics Dija Ayodele explains. "Be wary that keloid scarring, which darker skin can be prone to, can make you contraindicated to treatment that works on the basis of inducing a mild trauma to the skin, such as chemical peels and microneedling. If you’ve got this type of scarring, it's best to see a doctor or dermatologist that can provide steroid shots or advise on removing with surgery." 

Acne scars or hyperpigmentation?

Acne scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can both occur after a breakout, but the two are actually very different—and thus a different approach is required when it comes to fading them.

"Acne scars occur when too much collagen forms in a particular spot while a wound is healing," explains dermatologist Dr Dennis Gross. "The scar often develops within the dermis, where the original acne-induced inflammation formed."

“When someone has cystic acne, there's a higher probability of having rolling or boxcar scarring—especially if they are picked at before they are ready, or too aggressively," says Marshall. Aesthetic practitioner Dr Philippe Hamida-Pisal agrees. "Acne scarring is due to touching and squeezing spots. This damages small veins, glands and tissues surrounding the spots which creates scarring," he says.

Unlike acne scarring, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is simply a form of skin pigmentation (like sun damage), which occurs as a result of trauma to the skin. As it doesn't damage the follicle, it isn't considered a true form of scarring.

According to Ayodele, certain skin types and tones are more likely to experience this post-acne redness. "Darker skin tones are more prone to hyperpigmentation because of the higher levels on melanin in the skin. This means that whenever there is any trauma, the melanin cells quickly leap into action to produce more melanin to defend and protect against that trauma," she says.

The good news is that when it comes to getting rid of both acne scars and pigmentation, there are several promising options available, from professional treatments to at-home hacks.

If you’re looking to diminish rolling, boxcar or ice-pick scarring, the solution likely lies in a salon. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation will fade on its own over time, but there are several options—both in-salon and at-home—that you can utilise to speed up the process.

How to get rid of acne scars

Microneedling

There are many treatments out there to help fade the various forms of acne scarring—including lasers and microdermabrasion—but Marshall’s preferred treatment is microneedling. “Performed by a professional, microneedling is probably the best for scarring, and also helps reduce the signs of ageing," she explains. The process involves using tiny needles to create micro-punctures in the skin, which kick-starts cellular renewal, resulting in greater collagen and elastin production. 

Ayodele agrees, adding that "the earlier this is done the better, as it's much more challenging to treat old scars."

Peels

If your scars aren't severe, a chemical peel could be a wise option. "For less obvious scarring, a clinical treatment with a low-pH acid will make a big difference," says Marshall.

What's more, at-home peels have come a long way in recent years, and there are now plenty of excellent options that work on renewing the skin surface, reducing the depth and intensity of acne scarring. "To treat acne scars at home, use a product that offers gentle chemical exfoliation," suggests Dr Gross. Opt for a pre-soaked pad for ease of use, or try a toner-style resurfacing liquid.

How to get rid of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

Vitamin C

When it comes to brightening dark hyperpigmentation, vitamin C should be a key weapon in your skincare arsenal. "I absolutely love it for many reasons. Its benefits are endless, including revitalising and brightening the skin while stimulating your body’s natural production of collagen," says Dr Gross. "Not only does it help to lighten and break up pigmentation you might already have, but it also prevents dark spots from forming in the future.”

Alpha-hydroxy acids

According to Ayodele, a chemical peel is also a great way to fade post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, as "it will help the skin to exfoliate quickly and fade the discolouration." Alpha-hydroxy-acids such as glycolic, lactic and mandelic acid work by dissolving the 'glue' that holds dead skin cells together, revealing brighter, fresher skin beneath. 

"On Black skin it's best to do a series of superficial peels over a course of a few months as opposed to doing a single deep peel, which can cause further post-inflammatory pigmentation," says Ayodele. Consider a low-dose at-home product designed for sensitive skin, such as Dr Dennis Gross' Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel (which, despite what the brand tells you, doesn't really need to be used every day), or QMS Medicosmetics' Active Exfoliant 7% Sensitive. A polyhydroxy acid is also a good, gentle alternative to the often-used glycolic acid, as its larger molecule size means penetration into the skin is reduced. You can find a perfect dose of polyhydroxy acid in Medik8's brilliant Press & Glow toner, which is designed to hydrate while it exfoliates. 

Retinol

"Retinol (or vitamin A) is useful for acne as it fades hyperpigmentation by increasing the cell turnover rates," explains Dr Hamida-Pisal.

A course of prescription-strength retinol requires a trip to the dermatologist, (or a more affordable digital dermatologist appointment) but there are now several excellent over-the-counter brands working with effective vitamin A derivatives, such as Sunday Riley and La Roche-Posay. As always when it comes to active skincare, follow the instructions stringently, consult a doctor if in doubt, and wear a high-factor SPF every single day.

LED Light therapy

Light therapy has been shown to work on so many skin concerns, from loss of collagen to active breakouts, and recent research suggests that red LED in particular may help to reduce inflammation and prompt cellular repair, aiding the skin to recover from a breakout more effectively.

Where such therapies were once confined to the four walls of a facialist's clinic, a handful of brands have now harnessed this advanced technology masks and gadgets for home use. Look for one with a red-light setting (the majority have this), and use it regularly for cumulative results. 

Prescription products

When dealing with complex issues such as acne scarring, getting in front of a dermatologist or doctor is always a good idea—but it's true that these consultations can be costly and inconvenient. 

The pandemic-induced lockdowns revolutionised the aesthetics industry and paved the way for a host of expert online services. You can now book in to see one of London's leading authorities via Get Harley—a digital platform that charges just £40 for an aesthetician appointment, or £150 for a consultant dermatologist. They'll offer one-to-one advice and analysis, as well as any required prescriptions and products .

Similarly, platforms such as Skin + Me are offering custom-blended prescription-strength serums to tackle more advanced skin issues, from pigmentation and acne scars right through to rosacea and melasma. Costing just £24.99 per month, it's a brilliant-value option for anyone keen to try a more active treatment.

This piece originally appeared in Harper's Bazaar UK