Acne Treatment Help Blog

It’s not like I had done an investigation on some kind of sand-blasting procedure for the face to remove acne marks.  I didn’t know anything about laser treatment to blend deeply seated acne marks with healthy skin.  And the only TV ads were those for a bottled solution (I think it might have been Proactiv) that looked just a little too magical.  It was some time in the late eighties, and I was not really all that focused on skin (but rather on getting top grades in grad school).  I was also ignorant about skin care innovations.

However, looking in the rear-view mirror and seeing the leftover results of a picking and digging adventure that went on through most of my teens, I found my acne marks needed some personal attention.   I told my boyfriend how cool it would be to be able to sand-paper my face so I could get rid of and remove those acne marks.

Well I forgot about the face, the acne marks, and the possible solutions to them until recently, when I came across an online ad for sanding away the marks!  Well, they don’t use sand paper, literally, but they do use tools and techniques that make for a similar procedure, one that will remedy acne scarring and ultimately remove acne marks.

First, there are products that claim to diminish or fade acne marks.  According to Dr. Audrey Kunin at DermaDoctor, Mederma takes away or fades the redness of new acne marks (not pock marks, but fresh blemishes).  Dr. Kunin also suggests Neutrogena Advanced Solutions Acne Mark Fading Peel.  My best friend used Neutragena products and her face is exceptionally clear.

Next, there are laser treatments.  There are two types that are most commonly used—ablative and non-ablative lasers.  Ablative laser treatments are the more invasive or more thorough treatments that remove acne marks by burning away upper layers of skin.  Non-ablative treatments stimulate new skin growth without removal, and are, compared to ablative treatments, quicker and less invasive.

So using the laser is the sand-paper treatment I was thinking of or envisioning to remove acne marks.  But, as I have been repeatedly told by my all-knowing mother, I have continued to take care of my skin with hot water and soap, an immediate cold-water dip, and an astringent.  Many of my teen acne marks are now fading and closing as I go into my forties!

May you have the same luck now, and may you also pay attention to and heed the advice of your mom or grandmother: Don’t pick! (The oils and dirt from fingers are more of a problem than a solution).  In time, your acne marks may fade naturally.  But if you can’t wait that long, think about seeing a doctor as there are many new treatments out there to remove acne marks once and for all!