Can facial cleanser with AHA and BHA help reduce the appearance of acne scars?

Doctor's Answer

Acne scars are the result of poor wound healing and are deeply rooted. The deep fibrosis and scar tissues require deeper, stronger controlled damage to the tissue to force remodelling and resurfacing of the scars. This typically means (in the case of acids) stronger acids than what you find in AHA or BHA toners or facial washes - you would need an acid many times the strength of that, and that should only be performed by a clinician in a clinic.

These acid toners are, however, good for controlling acne, helping with daily chemo-exfoliation and smoothening out the general texture of the face; they reduce the formation of pimples and other benign growths on the skin.

If your concern is that of acne scars, it would be advisable to seek a clinician's advice as it can be rather complicated, and I do know of people who have experimented with home treatments… with very bad outcomes and side effects.

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