What’s the best way to remove acne scars fast?

‘Treatments for acne scars’ is one of the most-searched terms on the internet.  I’ve experienced the demand in my clinic, as more and more clients are asking for ways to get rid of them. So what is the best way to remove acne scars fast? Because let’s face it, you want them gone… yesterday!

Firstly don’t expect to ever fully remove acne scarring. Before you get disappointed, don’t, because a few treatments can massively improve your skin in short space of time. So to help you understand what you can do, here are the best treatments available…

Radiofrequency Microneedling

This fantastic treatment is a fairly new technology. You may have heard of microneedling, well Radiofrequency microneedling is a much more advanced version. The results are much better on scarring than microneedling alone.

This technology involves a handpiece which stamps your skin with needle tips. The tips contain around 20-30 needles, and radiofrequency (heat energy) shoots out of the needles at the same time.  This helps the skin to heal and promote new collagen, which can dramatically reduce scarring.

Sounds painful? Don’t worry most clinics will use numbing cream, or you can apply this yourself before the treatment. It means that you’ll feel just some hot pin pricks – which are uncomfortable but not unbearable.

How many sessions? It depends how severe your scarring is. You should be able to notice the difference though within weeks of your first session. Expect at least 3 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart.

What to look for? There are many different systems which offer this technology. Morpheus8, Focus Dual, DuaLift and Dermaforce are some of the brand names you may come across which offer this treatment. But the actual treatment is Radiofrequency Microneedling. (not microneedling by itself)

IPL or Pulse Dye Laser

IPL or laser is a good choice of treatment if your skin is red and discoloured. This is because the laser light picks up the redness and causes it to heat up and break down. Your body then removes what’s been broken down and your skin becomes more even coloured.

IPL and Pulse Dye lasers can also improve the texture of your skin and smooth it a little. Although if your main concern is pitted skin, then laser won’t do the job. These type of lasers are better for making your skin look more even in colour.

The sensation? It feels a bit like an elastic band twanging at your skin, or hot pin pricks. However you won’t need numbing cream with this one. Just some cooling with cold packs or a cooler to help reduce the heat sensation.

How many sessions? Again you can get a noticeable improvement in just a few sessions. They’ll be spaced around 4 weeks apart.

Fractional Laser Resurfacing

This is a different type of laser than IPL/Pusle Dye. These lasers destroy or vaporise tissue, in tiny particles. If you imagine a tiny chessboard – this laser hits the black squares and leaves the white squares intact. So it causes destruction in fractions on your skin, while the surrounding tissue is left untouched.

This has a fantastic healing effect on your skin, and can smooth scars remarkably well. It can be good for both lumpy bumpy skin and also pitted scars.

The sensation? This is very much a heat sensation. You will be given cooling at the same time, usually through a cool blower. After this treatment your skin will feel very hot, and you can be red for days. It’s an aggressive treatment, but worth the results.

How many sessions? Again it depends how severe your scarring in. You should notice some improvement within 2-3 weeks after your first session. Expect to have at least 3 sessions, spaced 6 weeks apart. You can have many more sessions if you need them.

Hope this has helped answer the question ‘What’s the best way to remove acne scars fast?”. My clinics are based near Wigan, Southport and Liverpool in the North West of England. If you’d like more advice then feel free to contact me here: rach@radiantliving.co.uk

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Click here for more information on Radiofrequency Microneedling to improve scars.

Article: ‘How to remove acne scars fast’ by Rachael Hyland. April 2022