Dermatologist Questions Dermatologist

How do you fade acne scars fast?

I am a 23 year old female and I have acne scars. How do you fade acne scars fast?

3 Answers

If you are talking about post-inflammatory erythema (the red spots after acne resolves) or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (the brown spots that persist after the redness resolves), then these can take weeks to months to fade on their own. However, if you are actually talking about true scars, scars are unfortunately permanent and will not fade.
Hi,

I wish there was a miracle cure. It takes time and usually lasers help to make them appear better.

Suzanne Sirota Rozenberg, DO, FAOCD, FAAD
Most commonly, patients refer to post-inflammatory pigmentation as "acne scars." This pigmentation usually fades on its own over time. It is important to wear SPF 30+ daily to prevent worsening of pigmentation. There are numerous prescription medications that your doctor can prescribe to help with the appearance of these marks. Furthermore, aesthetic treatments like chemical peels and microneedling may also be useful in this scenario. Please make an appointment with your board-certified dermatologist for a treatment plan.

Regards,

Darshan Vaidya, MD, FAAD