Acne scars are a clever way for your skin to add insult to injury. If you’ve beaten acne and cleared your skin of zits, the last thing you want is a bright, noticeable scar for everyone to see in its place. So are there real ways to treat acne scars and if so, do they require the help of a dermatologist or can they be treated naturally?

Unfortunately, most people who suffer with severe acne scars will need to see a dermatologist. I don’t say this to be mean or sound discouraging, but once a scar has reached a certain point, herbs, lotions and face masks just won’t heal it any more.

You remember that time you cut yourself really badly on your bike and had to get a bunch of stitches? Or maybe it was the time you had surgery. Chances are, even after all these years, the scars are still there because of how deep they are.

Acne scars are the same way. Don’t expect to heal them with a little bit of papaya and some aloe vera if they are deep and have been there for several month.

Types of Acne Scars

Acne comes in 2 essential types:

1. Crater Scars

These scars are much wider than they are deep. They are primarily superficial and haven’t done any significant damage to the skin, so they can be treated if handled gently.

2. Ice Pick Scars

These scars come as a result of serious, deep acne problems in the skin. They are typically deeper than they are wide. They are much more than just superficial and signal extreme damage as a result of the skin’s deficiency to fight infection. These scars will in almost every single case, need to be removed by a dermatologist.

Acne Scar Home Remedies

1. Use some lightening and moisturizing lotion to remove the appearance of the scars and try to heal them as they are. This is best assisted by a healthy diet including a lot of antioxidants and a face mask

2. Exfoliate the skin daily using sulfur and benzoyl peroxide treatments. Encouraging the skin to grow can help new skin replace scarred skin and allow the skin to regenerate.

3. Use a topical pock mark filler to cover up and improve depressed scar areas in order to encourage healing.

Should You See a Doctor?

I would never discourage someone from seeing a dermatologist if they have acne scars, but just to be sure you need one, here are some questions to ask yourself:

1. Are my scars ice picks or craters?

If you have crater scarring, you might be able to heal it naturally, but ice pick scars, or scars that are much deeper than they are wide, will almost always need to be professionally treated by a dermatologist.

2. Have my scars been around for at least 6 months?

Many milder scars or scabs will go away on their own, but if they don’t, you may be in trouble. If your acne scarring has been around for 6 months and nothing has worked, it may be time to see a dermatologist

3. Are my scars severe enough that nothing covers them up or treats them?

You’ve tried diet, topical creams and even face masks, but nothing, and I mean NOTHING has worked? Okay, I think it’s time for you to check in!

Dermatologist Treatments for Acne Scars:

And to help me explain some of the treatment options and procedures as well as the difference between the types of scars, let me welcome my special guest, Doctor Neal Schultz!