How To Get Rid of Acne Scars—Forever

Matteo Scarpellini

The only thing worse than having a major pimple (or acne) is the long-term scarring that follows. Even if you care for your skin like a newborn infant, spots and red marks can linger for weeks or months. But there are expert ways to fade them fast—or prevent the scarring from even forming in the first place. We spoke with Yunyoung Claire Chang, a dermatologist at the Union Square Laser Dermatology; Dennis Grossdermatologist and founder of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare and Dr. Dennis Gross Dermatology; and Gilly Munavallimedical director and founder of Dermatology, Laser, and Vein Specialists of the Carolinas, to give us the lowdown on how to prevent and get rid of acne scars—forever.

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How Do You Prevent Acne Scarring?

But if you’re looking to prevent acne scars from happening in the first place, the best way is to treat acne lesions as soon as they appear. Over-the-counter treatments that contain benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are a great place to start, but if acne persists, ask your dermatologist about prescription medications like retinol, Aczone, or spironolactone.

Munavalli likes to treat acne with a topical prescription-strength vitamin A (retinol) cream to clear clogged pores and decrease inflammation. He also recommends topical benzoyl peroxide washes at four percent strength or higher which decreases bacterial growth.

 

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