This SlideShowPro photo gallery requires the Flash Player plugin and a web browser with JavaScript enabled.

Hi I am Valerie Stern for Webihealth.com. At least 90% of adolescents have acne but what about acne scars?

Acne scars can be MORE emotionally debilitating than the acne itself.

Acne that has not been treated, or has not responded to the treatments you have undergone, can lead to a lifetime of disfiguring acne scarring.

This scarring can be devastating if it is severe enough to affect your appearance.

The deep, depression type scars, as well as the more superficial discolored areas left behind can lead to emotional and psychological issues – these issues can effect the way you view yourself and how you perceive others’ view you as well.

There are many treatment options available – that can reduce the severity of acne scars and give you “your” face back.

Acne scar treatments combine topicals, as well as treatments performed in your dermatologist’s office.

These topicals include things like tretinoin, a vitamin A derivative that is applied to the skin and helps to slough the outer layers. In doing so, this cream helps to fade discoloration as well as even out the texture of the skin – reducing the depth and severity of the scars left behind.

Tretinoin also helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, another reason why this is a good product to begin using in your 20’s or 30’s -

Mild to moderate chemical peels are also very helpful –

These peels include fruit acids and beta hydroxy acids.

They reduce discoloration associated with residual acnes lesions as well as exfoliating, or sloughing the skin – which helps to even the texture of the skin out –

Laser treatments are probably the most important option available today

These treatments can resurface the uneven texture of the skin, creating a smoother texture to the skin after just one treatment.

The PIXEL laser – an Erbium Yag laser, has been shown to dramatically reduce the depressions left behind once the acne has resolved, as well as improving the tone of the skin.

Most patients will require anywhere between 3-8 treatments

These treatments are usually performed at 3-4 week intervals and will require some downtime –

Downtime is usually about 3 days of redness, swelling and dryness before the skin sloughs off and regenerates itself.

Your skin care provider or dermatologist should be able to discuss these options with you –

There are treatment options available for all types of acne, including the face, chest, back, and arms – which are also affected by acne.

There is no reason for anyone to live with acne scars today – when there are many options to improve their skin out there.

I am Valerie Stern for Webihealth.com, your source for health tips, medical answers and your overall guide to wellbeing.