“How do you get rid of deep acne scars?”

If by deep acne scars, you are referring to boxcar scars, then, in my well over three decades of experience, subcision is the most effective treatment. It is relatively inexpensive, virtually painless when performed properly in experienced hands, and highly effective. All the bells and whistles devices, like lasers and radiofrequency devices are expensive, remain largely unproven and are supported far more by marketing hype than any hard science. Punch excisions have also been used for deep scars, but in most cases, they can result in surgical scars in place of the acne scars and, for this reason, I have largely stopped performing them. And, unlike subcisions, which engender little to no post treatment downtime, punch excisions, since they are small surgeries, do in fact do this. Ablative lasers and dermabrasion, which have also been used for deeper scars, have much longer healing periods and downtime.

There are a few different treatment options, but often we use a combination! Microneedling, microneedling with radiofrequency, chemical peels, and even sometimes filler. I would recommend seeing a board-certified dermatologist to get a comprehensive treatment plan for you!

There are multiple modalities that one can use to lessen acne scars. A seasoned dermatologist will be able to point you in the right direction on whether to use lasers, chemical peels, surgery, etc., depending on the type of scar and the desired outcome. Please be sure to first have the acne under control so that more scars do not form.

This generally needs multiple modalities of treatment in order to have them appear better. See your dermatologist for help.

Suzanne Sirota Rozenberg, DO, FAOCD, FAAD

Find someone with Picosecond laser.

Deep acne scars are very difficult to treat. Likely they will require multiple treatments that can range from microneedling, TCA CROSS, punch excision of very deep scars, or laser resurfacing. Different scars (depth, width, etc.) will respond best to different modalities and therefore a combination approach will likely be necessary. It is important that you see your board-certified dermatologist for evaluation of the types of scars you have and for a treatment recommendation.
Thank you.

Darshan Vaidya, MD, FAAD

There are multiple ways of treating acne scars, depending on if they are deep or superficial. Most treatments involve either needles or microneedles to the scars to promote new skin formation/re-formation under the scars to elevate and fill in. And for more information please visit your local dermatologist or find a local dermatologist at AAD.org , Look for find a dermatologist.