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ACNE SCARRING
If you are thinking about treatment for acne scars, you probably have questions. Many people want to know which treatment works best. Others want to find out what they can do at home to treat acne scars. Here you will find what many dermatologists tell their patients.
Should I get treatment for my acne scars?
This is a personal decision that only you can make. Some people feel that acne scars diminish their quality of life. Others can see the same type of scarring as not so bad.
Dermatologists generally recommend making an appointment to talk about treatment if you experience any of the following:
- You frequently wish that you could just get rid of your acne scars
- You feel that the scars limit your opportunities to date, to get a job or a promotion, or to do well at school
- You feel more depressed or less self-confident than before you had acne and acne scarring
- You get together with people less often because you feel so self-conscious about the scars
In deciding whether to treat acne scars, it is important to know a few facts about scar treatment. Probably the most important fact is that medical insurance generally does not cover treatment for acne scarring. You will have to pay for the treatment. Be sure to get an estimate for the total cost before starting treatment.
You also should know that scar treatment may require several treatment sessions and some downtime.
Having realistic expectations about the results also is important. While treatment can improve the appearance of your skin, restoring it to the way it looked before you had acne scarring may not be possible. A dermatologist can tell you what you can expect.
Can a dermatologist treat my acne scars if I still have acne?
To give you the best results, a dermatologist will first treat the acne and get it under control. If you have a tendency to develop acne scars, new acne breakouts can lead to new acne scars. This is why it is important to get the acne under control first.
If I am taking isotretinoin, can I get my scars treated?
Some studies suggest that treating acne scars while taking isotretinoin can make the scarring worse. Your dermatologist may ask you to wait at least 6 months after stopping isotretinoin. The wait time also will depend on the type of treatment recommended for your acne scars.
Why did I get acne scars?
Dermatologists have found that family history plays a big role in whether a person develops acne scars. The genes we inherit make some people more likely to scar. If you had severe acne, you also are more likely to develop acne scars.
While dermatologists know what increases a person’s risk of developing acne scars, it is not possible to predict who will develop acne scars. This is why dermatologists recommend early treatment for acne. This can help prevent acne from becoming severe.
This is especially important for people who have family members who had severe acne. Waiting to treat acne until it becomes severe can lead to extensive acne scarring.