Press Room

In the quest for a clear complexion, getting rid of active acne is often only half the battle. Once your blemishes are gone, the discoloration and indentations they may leave behind can be even more difficult to get rid of than breakout themselves ¬and those mars and spots don’t fade away overnight, let alone in a few weeks. Depending on the type of scars present and how severe they are, you can diminish their appearance so that your skin looks smoother.

Smoother skin with fillers
Acne scars come in a variety of types – from raised, red marks to medium and deep pockmarks that can take on a pitted or dented appearance. Smaller, superficial scars can often be reduced with a combination of treatments that remove dead skin cells and help resurface the skin, but fillers, like Juvéderm or Restylane, can be used to treat more severe scars. “Rolling-hills scars, where the contour is a bit wavy, can easily be corrected with fillers. They fill in the void space under the scar and help support it,” says Washington DC, dermatologist Cheryl M. Burgess, MD, who wars that fillers are not suitable for the treatment of ice-pick scars, because they have a tendency to collect in the skin almost like a blackhead due to their depth. “Fillers used in acne scars also last longer than when fillers are placed in other areas, like lips or cheek area, because they’re not a dynamic part of the face that moves a lot,” she adds.

Prevent the Problem – Tackling acne right away is the first step in reducing the appearance of scars.

Topical Treatments – Tretinoin-based prescription creams help lessen the appearance of superficial scars, while over-the-counter skin-care products containing alphahydroxy acids and vitamin C can help as well.

Dramatically Diminish – Injectable fillers can fill in scars, while microdermabrasion and laser treatments help re-texturize the skin.

New Beauty Magazine-WINTER-SPRING 2010