When it comes to choosing a treatment for facial scarring, the amount of options can be confusing. Different types of facial scarring require different treatments. Knowing what treatments are best for a specific scar type can lead you down a rabbit hole of information that is often difficult to understand.

Don't worry though - the point of this short guide is to make things simple!

Dealing with facial scars can make you feel self conscious and frustrated. Fortunately, we live in a time where technological advancements have made more treatment options available accompanied by natural alternatives. There are a diverse array of options that can work with your budget while still delivering results.

This guide is a walkthrough of the treatment options available for facial scars, what the treatments do, which treatments are best for certain scar types, and the pros and cons of the treatments. 

By the end of this article you will have more knowledge and confidence in choosing a path for facial scar treatment.

What causes facial scarring?

Scarring is essentially the result of some form of trauma to the skin. Some examples of scar-causing trauma include acne, cuts, surgery, burns, etc..

One of the most common forms of facial scarring is acne scars. There are 5 different types of acne scars, and it's important to know which type you have. Why? Because different types acne scars on the face need different treatment plans. Click here to read our full 29 page guide on acne scar facial treatment. 

Beyond just acne, cuts or injuries also usually leave a scar depending how severe the injury was. Burns can also cause scarring that is difficult to fade. The deeper a cut is, the harder it will be to correct.

How do facial scars form?

Scars from when the dermis of the skin is damaged having experienced some form of injury. When the tissue is broken, collagen is released to build new, healthy tissue. When it heals, the new tissue that is produced has a different color or texture. That's the scar.

Below are three images of the many different types of facial scarring. On the left is an image of facial scars left behind from acne. In the middle is an example of what a facial burn scar might look like. On the right is a normal fine-line facial scar.

Clinical Treatment Options

Below are some treatments listed that are available to treat facial scarring. These treatments are usually done by professionals in a clinic. Always be sure to consult your dermatologist before proceeding with one of these procedures.

Laser Scar Removal

Laser resurfacing is an example of technology working in the skincare field. This process uses a powerful laser to remove the first layer of the skin. This removes the discoloration and leaves a newer, brighter layer.

Laser treatment consists of two types: erbium and carbon dioxide. Erbium lasering has a wavelength of 2940 nm and is the safest option. Carbon dioxide lasering has the strongest results, but has a longer healing time.

Laser resurfacing can be used to treat a variety of scars such fine lines and surgical scars. Laser resurfacing can also be a face acne scar treatment.

Some pros of this treatment include visible results and a fast healing process. Usually patients recover within a week. The cons of this treatment is that it may not be affordable for some people. This treatment is also not recommended for people with active breakouts. This treatment also carries the risk of developing an infection or further scarring. 

 Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are a treatment that can be done in your own home or in a professional setting. Chemical peels can come in the form of a liquid or mask. 

These peels are applied to the skin for a certain amount of time in which they exfoliate the skin, removing old dead skin. Chemical peels are made up of acids that work to reveal a new, fresh layer of skin.

When it comes to using chemical peels, there are three main types. Superficial peels are the more milder type that can aid with uneven skin tone, fine lines, and dry skin. The deep peel is the most aggressive kind and is often used to treat severe scarring. The medium peel is usually associated with glycolic acid and is the peel mostly used for anti-aging. 

The pros of this treatment is that there is the option to use it in your own home, or have it professionally done depending on the peel severity. They are highly effective when treating scars and many other types of skin problems. Many chemical peels are affordable and easy to use. These peels are a great acne scar face mask. 

Some cons of using chemical peels include increased skin sensitivity. Peels may not work as well for people with a darker skin tone. People who have eczema should also be cautious when using these peels as it can worsen symptoms. 

Dermabrasion 

Perhaps one of the best known treatments for facial scarring, dermabrasion is often considered the most effective treatment. 

Dermabrasion is usually performed by a professional such as a dermatologist. The skin is prepped with a numbing agent first. A coarse brush or diamond wheel is used to remove the damaged top layer and reveal a new layer of skin. 

Dermabrasion can be used as a acne scar treatment for the face as well as scarring caused by disease such as smallpox marks. This is not a recommended treatment for burn scars.

The pros of this treatment include that most people see improvement in their scars. The cons include the risks of redness, swelling, and infection. Dermabrasion can also be uncomfortable. This treatment is also not a good option for people with sensitive skin or people of darker skin color.

Plastic Surgery 

When treating facial scars, plastic surgery may not be the first thing that comes to mind. Plastic surgeons and alter the appearance of scars, making them seem smaller or smoother. This is the most invasive treatment for scars.

Plastic surgery can help with numerous types of scars. Some include texture irregularities, hypertrophic scars, and keloids. 

The pros of treating scarring with plastic surgery is that it can yield immediate results. The cons however, include high cost and fees. This treatment is not an option for people with active acne in the location of the desired treatment. 

Injections

Another treatment option would be to receive injections of either steroids or collagen. Using injections can help with numerous types of scarring and can produce great results. 

Steroid injections would be used to treat scarring that flares out of the skin such as hypertrophic scarring. Scars that cause an indent on the surface of the skin could be filled with collagen to smooth it out. 

Botox has also been found to treat the appearance of scarring, such as injury scars. It has the ability to smoothen out the scar while diminishing its appearance.

The pros of this procedure is that you can see immediate results. The cons include the costly price these procedures can have. These procedures are also usually temporary. Another con includes the negative reactions to botox certain people experience although it is usually resolvable. 

Microneedling 

This treatment consists of inserting fine needles into the skin and creating tiny cuts. While it may sound off- putting, microneedling can be just as effective as laser treatments. 

The goal with microneedling is for the skin to produce new collagen and elasticity to repair the small cuts made in the skin by the needles. The dermis works to heal these wounds, creating new cells that can help fade scarring. This process is followed up by topical treatments that further aid in the healing and fading process.

Microneedling is a good acne face scar treatment along with being able to treat burn scars. Some of its benefits include shrinking of pores and evening out skin tone.

While microneedling costs a few hundred dollars per session, it is one of the more affordable cosmetic procedures. Another benefit is that recovery time is much faster than that of laser treatments. The cons is that it can be a lengthy procedure. This procedure is also not ideal for people suffering from eczema, active breakouts, or infections.

If you have any questions about facial scar treatments, post them in the comment section below or email us at info@tryvanish.com.

At Home Treatments

In some cases, at home treatments can be just as effective as in-clinic procedures. These treatments are natural alternatives and usually far more affordable than the procedures previously listed.

Listed below are some at home facial acne scar treatments you can try, however they also can work on different types of scarring. Many of the products can be conveniently found in your pantry, the tryvanish.com website or your local store. You should always patch test a product on a small part of your skin to check for a reaction prior to usage.

Silicone Scar Gels and Sheets

Scar gels and sheets are an excellent option to heal scars. It is an easy to use and affordable option with proven results. Scar gels and sheets have the benefits of working on both old and new scars.

Silicone gel scars can promote hydration and regulates the production of collagen and fibroblast. These silicone products also aid in sealing the wound, preventing bacteria from entering. Using these products results in smoother, less noticeable scars. 

Using silicone products can work on many different scars. Silicone products can work as an acne scar cream for the face. They can treat burn, surgery, C-sections, keloids, hypertrophic, etc.

 Aloe vera

This is a great alternative when it comes to fading acne scars such as hyperpigmentation. Aloe vera can be used in a gel, liquid or powder form. It is made up of mostly water with polysaccharides, amino acids, and lipids.

This treatment repairs skin and helps reduce inflammation. It is best to start applying the aloe vera to the scar as soon as it develops for best results. 

The benefits of using aloe vera is that it is affordable. This treatment can be used for people experiencing eczema. It is an excellent way to hydrate the skin. The downside is that results may not be noticeable for an extended period of time. Aloe vera may also cause some sensitivity and reactions for some people.

Honey

Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, honey is also a great option for the treatment of scars. It is a good choice for people who want to treat their scars and also deal with psoriasis and eczema. 

Honey is an especially good product for acne because of its antibacterial properties. It can be used as a spot treatment to reduce the flare up inflammation and prevent scarring.  It is also a good exfoliant that can bring the new skin cells to the surface.

Honey is a gentle way to treat acne scarring while exfoliating. It should be used cautiously by people who have allergies to pollen. Unfortunately honey is not a good option for burn marks or deep cut scars.

 Coconut Oil

Rich in Vitamin E, coconut oil is another good home remedy for scarring. Coconut oil can greatly improve how a wound heals, leading to lighter, less noticeable scar. 

This treatment is a good option for healing scars from surgical procedures. It can help with the production of collagen. It is also helpful for preventing keloid scars. 

This treatment is very affordable. The only downside would be the amount of time you would need to reapply it to see results and the time it needs to absorb.

Petroleum Jelly 

Petroleum jelly is a good product for the prevention of scars. It should be applied immediately after the wound has been cleaned. Petroleum jelly prevents the wound from drying out and creating a scab. Scabs usually result in a scar.

Petroleum jelly is relatively safe to use but if redness or irritation occurs you should cease use immediately. 

Preventing Facial Scars

It is possible to prevent scarring before it occurs. Avoid picking, squeezing, or popping pimples as this can lead to a scarring and make the flare up worse. It is also important to wear sunscreen everyday, especially with new facial traumas. Sunscreen protects the damaged skin from worsening. Make sure your sunscreen is at least 30 SPF.

Like mentioned above, keeping the wound moisturized with petroleum jelly or something similar will prevent a scab forming, leaving a smoother result. It also blocks harmful bacteria from entering that can damage collagen production.

Which facial scar treatment is right for you?

This depends on the types of scars you have and your budget. Determining which treatment will work best for you can be difficult so be sure to talk with your dermatologist. Do extended research on a treatment you are interested in and make consultations. It would also be a good idea to find out if you have any allergies or sensitivities to any ingredients commonly used in these treatments. 

Lastly, try and keep an open mind when trying these treatments. Scars can be difficult to fade and some last a lifetime. 

For more information and articles check about scars check out The Vanish Blog.

If you have any questions comment below and we’ll get back to you with some helpful tips!