Acne scars are marks that remain on your skin after severe or long-lasting breakouts. They form when deep inflammation damages the skin and your body tries to repair the damage.
Some scars look like pits or dents, while others may be raised or dark. It may help to see a specialist who can help you treat acne scar if the scars affect your confidence or don’t fade on their own.
To tell if you have acne scars and not something else, think about timing. Scars usually show up after acne heals and stay put.
Rashes, pigmentation from other skin conditions, or enlarged pores might look similar, so it’s not always obvious. If you’re unsure, please have a board-certified skin or cosmetic doctor have a closer look to confirm if they’re scars or something else that needs a different type of care. You don’t have to guess your way through it.
Can Acne Scars go Away?
If you have been researching acne scar treatment, you may have come across claims like; acne scars are permanent or something along that line. To ensure you’re making the right decision and not throwing your money down the drain, you may want to ask a specialist; can acne scars go away? Here’s what you need to know:
Acne scars rarely go away entirely on their own. However, some signs and effects may fade over time. When your skin heals from inflamed, deep acne, collagen can either be lost or overproduced.
That process may leave sunken (atrophic) or raised (hypertrophic or keloid) scars. Over time, colour changes caused by inflammation often known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can fade naturally within several months to a year or more.
But texture changes, like dents or rolls in the skin, seldom disappear without treatment. Your genetics and how bad the acne was also influences the chances of your acne scar going away.
If you had deeper, cystic breakouts, you are more likely to get lasting scars. If you picked or squeezed spots, that also increases the risk of your scars being permanent.
Scarring does tend to soften or appear less noticeable over time. Some people notice that pigmentation marks fade considerably when acne clears up and skin heals gently and consistently.
But depressed scars often remain visible unless treated. We also want to mention hyperpigmentation which may appear as a dark or red patch.
This differs from scarring. If it is what you’re left with after acne, the patches may lighten naturally. True scars, which alter skin structure, stick around and sometimes become more obvious with age as skin loses collagen.
There’s also the matter of patience. Even fading pigmented spots may take months or sometimes years. Without treatment, shallow discolouration could fade, but indentations often persist.
So, can acne scars go away? Parts of them may fade especially colour marks but most changes in texture linger. The extent of natural improvement depends on scar type, skin repair capacity, and avoidance of further trauma.
How to Fade Away Acne Scars Fast?
You may want to fade your acne scars fast if you’re readying yourself for an important event. Or, if they are affecting your mental health. While there are several treatments that can remove acne scars, the pace at which they work is different. So, it is understandable if you’re left wondering; how to fade away acne scars fast?
To fade away acne scars fast, your best bet would be to visit a knowledgeable skin or cosmetic doctor for professional acne scar treatment. This is important because fading acne scars fast depends on how you approach them. While you need consistent action and patience, you can accelerate improvements.
In an accredited acne scar treatment clinic, you may be recommended professional treatments like laser resurfacing or chemical peels. These treatments work quickly because they prompt collagen renewal and exfoliation.
Laser procedures like ablative or non-ablative laser treatments stimulate skin repair and texture smoothing. Ablative lasers remove surface layers while triggering collagen deeper down.
They can get visible results after one session, though recovery takes time. Non-ablative lasers don’t disrupt the surface as much.
However, they require several sessions to see changes with shorter downtime. Chemical peels use controlled acids to remove damaged layers and reveal fresh skin.
To reduce discolouration and improve surface texture, you will need multiple sessions, spaced about a month apart. At-home actives help too, especially for pigmentation or mild scars.
Retinoids which are vitamin A derivatives work by boosting cell turnover and collagen growth. If used correctly, you may notice softer, more even skin in a few weeks to months, as redness or dryness settle.
Vitamin C brightens marks by inhibiting melanin and encouraging collagen. So, regular use over several months can make a visible difference. If you’re going to use azelaic acid, you will want to use it twice daily.
This treatment targets both acne and pigment and its anti-inflammatory and lightening effects can equal those of low-dose hydroquinone over 3 to 6 months. For the best outcome, pair your acne scar treatment program with gentle daily skincare.
To do this, simply cleanse to remove debris, exfoliate lightly with AHAs or BHA 2–3 times per week to shed dead skin, and moisturise to support barrier repair. Most importantly, wear sunscreen daily (SPF 30+) to prevent pigmentation from deepening and to protect healing skin.
Closing Thoughts
When it comes to professional acne scar treatment, your best bet would be to choose the best clinic. To find the best acne scar treatment clinic, choose a clinic led by a qualified dermatologist or plastic surgeon to ensure you’re treated by a licensed professional.
During your search, you will want to check for clinics that offer advanced treatments like laser resurfacing or microneedling, and confirm they list accredited providers and technologies.
Be wary of clinics that sell packaged treatments or spa-style facilities without named doctors. That’s often a red flag. It would be best to consider well-known dermatology centres which are recognised for acne scar treatments and professional standards.
If you’re in Singapore, book a consultation at our clinic today and let our dermatologists assess your acne scars. We’ll guide you through personalised care and answer all your questions. Contact us now for clearer, confident skin. Details below;
APAX Medical & Aesthetics Clinic (Bukit Panjang J10) – Acne & Acne Scars Clinic Singapore
1 Woodlands Rd, #02-11 Junction 10, Singapore 677899