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

Doctor's Answers 1

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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Is Rejuran effective for treating rolling acne scars permanently?

Rejuran should be considered a supplement to lasers for scar treatment (as opposed to a treatment method on its own); it theoretically provides a more optimal biological framework for wound healing and hence scar remodelling. It is not necessary, and scar treatment with fractional lasers alone can produce a good 50-70% improvement of atrophic scars. It can, however, make the healing better and/or faster. Such an investment can be wise to maximise your time and money spent on the fractional laser sessions. Other techniques can be combined, including subscision and subdermal filler placement.

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Is retacnyl, laser treatments or chemical peels more effective for eliminating acne scars?

Hi Aaron – I completely agree with whatever your doctor has done. I had asked about accutane but my doctor was hesitant in prescribing to me due to my history with depression. I’d err on the side of caution as well, as depression, although rare, is one of the side effects of accutane. Moreover, you described your acne as mild so accutane would be an overkill. My dermatologist said that the retacnyl will help to clear my acne(very few) and my dark spots and mild acne scars. Would it actually help to eliminate my acne scars?

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