Conditions Skin Acne Scars

Breakouts and pimples are frustrating as it is, but many people continue to struggle with the aftermath of acne in the form of scarring. The more severe your acne is, the more likely it is to leave scars. Many people eventually outgrow their acne but have lifelong scars that mar their complexion. These scars can be difficult or even impossible to treat on your own, which is why the Langdon Center offers multiple effective treatment options for acne and scarring.

What Causes Acne Scarring?

There are several types of acne, from minor blackheads to painful cysts. Moderate to severe acne breakouts can damage the deeper layers of your skin, leaving scars. Acne results when your pores are clogged with oil, debris, or dead skin cells. Scarring is more likely to occur if you pick at or pop pimples.
 
Taking good care of your skin and treating active acne is the best way to prevent scars. As a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Langdon can help you manage acne with medical-grade skincare products and facial treatments.

Acne Treatment Guilford

Frequently Asked Questions

If your acne has cleared and only the scars remain, you might wonder if they will eventually fade on their own. Acne scars do fade with time. However, they rarely disappear altogether. Some scars can also be raised or depressed, affecting skin texture and smoothness.

Dr. Langdon uses many procedures to treat acne scars. Because there are several types of acne scars, different patients may require different treatment combinations.

There are three basic types of acne scars:

  • Small diameter, shallow scars (Type 1)
  • Small diameter, deep scars (Type 2)
  • Large diameter, deep scars (Type 3)

Type 1 and Type 3 scars often respond well to laser treatments. Some Type 3 scars can be effectively treated with dermal fillers to smooth out the skin. Dr. Langdon may recommend a punch excision to remove Type 2 scars or the CROSS technique, in which a tiny droplet of a chemical peel acid is placed in each scar. The acid solution “dissolves” the scar, which is filled in as the skin heals.

Depending on the type and severity of your acne scarring, Dr. Langdon may recommend one or more of the following treatments.

Fraxel® and CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing

The Langdon Center offers the most innovative and cutting-edge laser treatments to help patients rejuvenate their skin. Skin resurfacing with the Fraxel® or CO2 laser is often an effective way to diminish acne scars. These lasers resurface the top layer of skin, clearing away dead cells to reveal brighter, healthier skin. They can also stimulate collagen production and contract fibers to tighten and smooth the skin.

SkinPen® Microneedling and AquaGold® fine touch™

Microneedling is sometimes called collagen induction therapy because it primarily aims to increase collagen production. Since collagen keeps your skin firm, healthy, and smooth, this increase can greatly improve your skin’s appearance. 

SkinPen® microneedling uses tiny needles to trigger your skin’s healing response, which can reduce acne scars. This process may be even more beneficial with the AquaGold® fine touch™ device, which combines microneedling with injections of powerful serums to infuse your skin with antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, and more.

PhotoFacial

Using BroadBand Light technology, a PhotoFacial targets hyperpigmentation in the skin to reduce redness and dark spots. BBL™ PhotoFacials are a fairly gentle procedure that can help minimize discoloration from acne scars and restore a brighter, clearer complexion.

Dermal Fillers

If you have atrophic or depressed acne scars, including “ice pick” and “boxcar” scars, dermal filler injections can help fill the depressed areas to smooth out your skin. We offer several dermal fillers at the Langdon Center, including Juvederm®, Restylane®, and Sculptra®.

*Individual results may vary.

Acne scar treatment results.

Take the next step.

To learn more about acne scars or to schedule your consultation with Board-Certified Cosmetic Surgeon and Dermatologist Dr. Langdon, please fill out the form on this page or call The Langdon Center at (203) 453-8625. We look forward to working with you! The Langdon Center serves patients in the Guilford & New Haven, CT areas.