Dealing with an acne scar can be a frustrating experience. You’ve tried hiding it with makeup, shrinking it with shark-liver oil, and slathering on every over-the-counter concoction on the shelf that claims to make that acne scar go away. But still it persists, staring at you every morning as you brush your teeth. What can you do to really get rid of an acne scar?

You must make an appointment with a dermatologist. Only he or she can provide the true answers to dealing with an acne scar. An acne scar can be treated effectively in a number of ways. It’s up to your doctor to decide, based upon your particular situation, which way would be most successful.

Acne Scar Removal Methods

One method doctors use, collagen injections, fills in and stretches out some scars on the outer surface of the skin as well as deeper, soft scars. Transferring autologous fat also sometimes effectively works to treat an acne scar. “Autologous” means “from your body.” Taking fat from one part of the patient’s body and injecting it beneath an acne scar often successfully corrects deep scars.

A nodulocystic acne scar typically calls for this type of treatment by your doctor. Nodulocystic acne, similar to boils, features severe inflammation and pus-filled nodules. An acne scar left by this form of acne may take several treatments to yield satisfactory results.

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion, the current, most effective acne scar management procedure, alters the contours of scarred skin. Surface scars may be eliminated entirely, while a deeper acne scar can, at least, be made less deep and therefore, less noticeable. Laser treatment can potentially remove an acne scar in only one treatment. But after the acne scar is removed, redness for up to six months can be expected.

Other options exist for skin disfigurations from acne that involve procedures meant to help people with more than a single acne scar or two. But that’s another article. … So cheer up if you’ve been otherwise. There’s always hope for that acne scar you’re so bothered about. From all the alternatives above, there’s sure to be one that your doctor can use to clear up that unsightly acne scar that’s been bugging you for so long.

And if you go ahead and do it, just think: no more acne scar staring at you during your early morning teeth-brushing time!