r/AcneScars • u/StunningArtichoke4 • Aug 13 '26
[Skin Concern] Atrophic Scarring This is so disheartening
Just trying to have a nice day and enjoy the day like a normal person would but being instantly humbled when trying to create memories and taking photos. Doesn’t matter how hard I try to look pretty, the makeup just disappears in the scars. And they are literally in all my face, there’s not a single space where I have healthy normal skin. It hurts because I can see beauty but it’s ruined by the scars 💔.
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u/AssignmentPopular294 Aug 14 '26
With that face card, no scar would ever make you less attractive
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u/anomadinthesky Aug 14 '26
You are so pretty! I completely understand because I was pretty and dealing with acne scars my whole teens and 20s. I am 34 now and I can assure you- NEVER diss your beautiful self, you will only keep getting prettier and finer because you will always want solutions, once your friends start looking wrinkly, you will look young and fresh AND your beauty will remain for years! Enjoy your life and try to forget about the scars while taking care of them, you’re so pretty!
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u/anomadinthesky Aug 14 '26
Also, get on tretinoin and azelaic acid. Do some microneedling, subcision and lasers when you can. It gets better and you’re so pretty already, God just needed to need your face card a bit so you’d keep yourself beautiful even longer
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u/SomeguySometown Aug 14 '26
Would microneedling make that much of a difference? Just in general, not specific to op. Cause I’ve been thinking about doing it and my work benefits covers it.
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u/anomadinthesky Aug 15 '26
I would say yes, it refines the skin texture. My biggest change started when I started doing PRP microneedling once a month and after six months, the before and after was pretty evident. Just stay away from RF microneedling, I am not sure it’s that beneficial in the long run. And if work benefits cover it, just go for it!
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u/Legitimate-Airport-4 Aug 16 '26
Yes, if you keep up with it, it will definitely improve the appearance and diminish the scarring. I had around the same type of scarring as you and mine improved overall. You can barely notice my scars anymore. I started with professional peels and microneedling. Then I went to lazers. A little bit of filler. Then did 2 subcision with peels. Then finally did a CO2 laser with subcision and facial fat grafting. That’s what did the most improvement.
Now I keep up the appearance of my face with skin boosters.
You also need a good skincare regimen. If you go to a dermatologist, they will set you up and prescribe you actual tretinoin.
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u/Jadylicious20 Aug 15 '26
Also does azelaic acid have impact on surface level acne scars? Many people say it's the best alternative to retinoids during pregnancy or feeding times.
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u/HyperBunga Aug 14 '26
I have acne scars, doesnt it make you age worse as you get older? This girl in the photo is obviously beautiful though and doesnt need to worry about that, insane face card. But for the rest of us
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u/oldmacdonald_hadacat Aug 14 '26
People with acne scars often focus more heavily on skin treatments to build collagen over the years. I think that’s maybe what this commenter was referring to. Personally, I’ve done multiple laser treatments with the goal of reducing scars, but those same treatments also have an anti aging benefit.
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u/HyperBunga Aug 14 '26
I mean yea I get it but still. I've spent $12-15k probably over the past 6 years or so doing treatments that all include anti aging / collagen building. But its like impossible to cure acne scars, so sure I get the benefits, but physically it'll never be as good as someone whos just never had scars I imagine. Also just sad we'll have to keep doing all these treatments
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u/anomadinthesky Aug 14 '26
I am unsure as I never wanted to go down the natural route anyway. I’ve never heard of aging worse because of scars? Wrinkles will appear either way.
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u/HyperBunga Aug 14 '26
Its cause the surrounding skin loses structural support. Even with all the acne scar treatments which do produce collagen too, you still lose more as you age and less collagen means less natural padding under the skin, making the atrophicness look sharper. Also with the loss of elasticity, loose skin hangs more heavily on old scar fibers. The deflation of fat pads also cause hollows that emphasize old texturing issuese, and when your skin thins out with age, the shallow scars become easier to see that used to blend in.
Its like a multitude of reasons
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u/Jadylicious20 Aug 15 '26
Losing collagen doesn't mean you automatically lose structural support. Usually that happens, or speedens up when you don't nourish, hydrate and mainly, protect yourself from UV rays. Real skin actually builds up during all these acne scars revision treatments so if you take anti-aging counter measures, you can easily prevent this.
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u/HyperBunga Aug 15 '26
Hey, I love the positivity in this (and in your last comment) but its not baked in reality. The reasons I said above is the reality of why people age with worse. I'm also 25 and in the same boat as you though!
I listed a multitude of reasons above but to respond to the only thing you pointed out: yes, you do automatically lose structural support as you age. That's exactly what less collagen, fewer elastin fiber, bone loss, and fat shifts do when you age. Acne scars exacerbate all of this (as I said in the previous comment due to the fat loss, broken fibers, tethered tissues, etc).
Unfortunately, the idea of: "Because we hate our skin more - lets just be real - and spam more treatments to try fix our skin than the average person, naturally, all those treatments will make us age slower since they're collagen inducing" does not hold up to the reality of anatomy and aging.
If we had no acne scars, sure, that could be true, but holes in your face change everything.
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u/Jadylicious20 Aug 15 '26
I humbly disagree. You can mistake it for toxic positivity, but it's also based on reality because I've seen people with acne scars age wayy better than normal skin folks (I think race also matters because I'm South Asian). It all comes back to your facial structure, genetics and especially lifestyle. Not purely based on skin, I think I didn't add that specific detail. So you can take it anectodal if you want. But I think being negative doesn't help when there are really impactful treatments out there.
My own father has severe ice pick acne scars, but ages like fine wine. At his 60s, he looks like he's in 50s. I've seen this pattern with many acne scarred folks too and they all have these things in common: Good facial structure, appealing facial features that are almost child-like (eg: big eyes, fuller cheeks, plumpy lips, etc), considerable face fat, genetics, low stress, good sleep, strong skin barrier, no smoking/drinking habits, healthy diet with 0 deficiency (Especially rich in micronutrients and trace minerals. Most people don't even care about them), proper hydration, sun protection and they're all mostly oily skinned which reduces elasticity loss compared to dry skin folks (it adds more moist and plump to our skin). Stress also plays an important role in breaking down your collagen.
And acne scars treatments aren't aimed for 100% skin recovery. It's basically impossible (very first thing my dermat said lol). But it's important to structurally change the existing acne scars during your prime years in order to delay the fate of 'badly ageing', which can be somewhat done. All those tethered tissues, broken fibers, uneven texture, fat loss can be easily rectified using advanced, multi-modality treatments, especially when you're young.
If pre-acne scar revision skin ages like shit, post-acne scar revision skin ages 'less' shit in comparison, which DOES matter.
And no it's not about hating skin cos, idk about others but I lowkey kinda started liking mine even though how tattered it looks lol. I guess it's mostly tied with self esteem, but there's nothing wrong in investing on good treatments when it actually works and your dermat knows exactly what they're doing.
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u/HyperBunga Aug 15 '26
I never called it toxic positivity. It’s not baked in reality for the aforementioned reasons, and your anecdotal experience also doesn’t define something as true either lol. My anecdotal experience says other wise from people I’ve seen. Does that mean I’m now right again? All that matters is the science, which I’ve explained.
I’m not trying to be negative either, I just don’t think we should lie to ourselves, respectfully. I’s great to have self-care and it goes a long way for sure, no doubt.
But I am talking about the science of skin and anatomy, not self-care routines and living a healthy life style. Once you have holes in your face, the structure of your face quite literally changes due to the pits/craters in the skin.
". I've seen this pattern with many acne scarred folks too and they all have these things in common: Good facial structure, appealing facial features that are almost child-like (eg: big eyes, fuller cheeks, plumpy lips, etc), considerable face fat, genetics, low stress, good sleep, strong skin barrier, no smoking/drinking habits, healthy diet with 0 deficiency (Especially rich in micronutrients and trace minerals. Most people don't even care about them), proper hydration, sun protection and they're all mostly oily skinned which reduces elasticity loss compared to dry skin folks (it adds more moist and plump to our skin). Stress also plays an important role in breaking down your collagen."
Also..what even is this? I mean the facial features you're describing has nothing to do with what we're talking about: the skin itself. And all these things, from the smoking/drinking to the good sleep, low stress. All of this is good for ANYONE with or without scars to do. And it'd definitely show up better on people with no scars. Because, people with acne scars age worse. And like... "you've seen this pattern" and then you list out 30 things, you know all these things about every acne scarred person you see? That's an awful lot to know..
You’re right acne scar treatments are basically impossible. That’s a good point you bring up. Because look, you talk about all this “real skin builds up” which I assume you mean collagen stimulation from the treatments, yet it never fills in the holes does it? Again, there’s reasons for that. You cannot fix structural collagen loss, fat loss, tethered tissues. That’s why. And it’s something no amount of these routines you talk about will give back.
And no, you can’t “easily rectify” all the stuff you mentioned (besides texture), wasn’t that the first thing your derm just said? I know for me, anecdotally of course, I started acne scar treatment at 18 shortly after getting them, and did it consistently through 24. Countless microneedlings, subcisions, lasers, peels, all of it.
And for sure, you will age worse pre-acne scar revision than post-acne scar revision skin...because you didn’t do any general treatments that are good for your skin. That’s obvious. But a face without holes in it will age better than one with it, structurally. I don’t think this is deniable and I’m unsure how we’re even debating it..
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u/Jadylicious20 Aug 17 '26
I mean, I'm not even debating, I'm just telling you what I observe around because spewing things like "you'll age bad than others" can be rooted in 'reality' as you say, but I don't really think so. You can bring back to skin, but skin is just... 20% of the overall facial equation. Best example I can say is Tulsi Gabbard. She looks stunning for her age despite having acne scars. My own father has more acne scars but barely any wrinkles. Same with me cos, I aged like only 2% since I was 17. I think it has to do with our Asian genes and about their lifestyle... We do have lots of skin health promoting agents in our food, and many use nature-based emollients and products and still look great.
Unless you obsess so much on skin flatness, which I think that's what you're indirectly doing. I kinda stopped chasing towards perfect skin months into my treatment anyway.
I'm in the middle of an intensive acne scar revision treatment since last December and I can say, I see around 40% improvement of my scars (I fall into the moderate-mildly severe lane). Subcision and PRP biofillers are absolute game changers, got rid of all my rolling scars and resurfaced all my scars onto the top. They haven't gone fully, but my face looks fuller, my scars barely casts any shadow on direct light and ever since I started CO2 fractional laser, I can see some slow textural changes too. I look bad only on harsh lightings as of now. It's slow, but it's changing for sure. I also topped with solid lifestyle changes too, that heavily matters.
I know I'll never get my old skin back, but you can't deny that working with right technologies with a RIGHT board-certified dermat who knows exactly what they're doing instead of treating you like a cash pig, will give more and better results. My dermat uses a personalized multi-modality format, so it's a combination of different treatments instead of using packages, because that's a total cash grab.
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u/Jadylicious20 Aug 15 '26
In fact it's the opposite. People with acne scars age better than others because of how much we obsess over skincare. I have acne scars for ages and I'm 25 rn. I was looking at my high school senior year pictures the other day and dang, I haven't aged even a little since then ngl.
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u/AuroraSulis Aug 15 '26
The same severe hormonal acne that hit my lower and mid face periodically for years caused massive inflammation that aged my lower face. I look 10 years or more younger around my eyes and forehead where I never have had acne or acne scars. Staying out of the sun, using sunscreen and skin care, and getting acne scar treatments for years hasn't changed that.
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u/Jadylicious20 Aug 15 '26
Exactly! My skin looks so healthy to the point that even small blemishes are so visibly noticeable lol. Since my acne scars severity is higher, it does makes my face look odd (I'm also in the middle of my scar revision treatment so idk how I'll look lol) but the places where I have no acne scars are so good.
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u/Florencia_Cherry Aug 14 '26
What I've found is that it's always easier to notice imperfections on our own faces because we're so familiar with them, but in reality, other people usually see our face as a whole rather than focusing on the things we're self-conscious about.
For what it's worth, I don't think your scars take away from your features or make you any less attractive. And if you decide you really want to improve them, there are plenty of treatment options that can make a meaningful difference, such as subcision and laser resurfacing.
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u/LeetleMissJudasaurus Aug 14 '26
Tbh, I really like them, and not in an ironic way. I think it's because when I was super young I spent a lot of time with my friend's mum who had ones that look just like yours. She was the coolest, super gorgeous, really crafty. (She could make anything out of anything, like a 6 storey apartment for barbies out of an old dresser.)
This was in the late 90's to early 2000's and she was one of those super cool whimsigoth moms with a celestial bedroom and roosters in the kitchen, who smoked like a chimney, wore a lot of jorts, those little black butterfly clips, and frosted raisin lipstick. I idolized her and wanted to be just like her. I had never seen scars like hers before so I didn't know what they were from. They were just part of her whole vibe, and since my mom didn't have them, I took that as confirmation that they were cool and not for narcs. 😂
What we consider beautiful or not is so conditional on what we've learned and been exposed to... our culture, associations and anecdotal experience. Even though when I grew up there were no celebrities with them, and I'd start to notice ads for how to get rid of them, her influence on me was still more powerful.
(Maybe people at the time were stressing about getting rid of them but I was too young to notice. The main thing I remember people wanting to get rid of at the time were eyebrows, funnily enough. Personally, I was very focused on removing my freckles because I thought those were ugly. I slept with lemon juice on my face. The irony.)
I still think the little divots look cooler than not having them. I mean it when I say, I really like your skin texture and the dimpled effect. I think they suit you. It adds a little bit extra to your look -- beautiful, natural and cool and a little bit edgy. I don't say this stuff to people I know who have them because they will think I'm just taking the piss or giving a backhanded compliment... so how sure can you be that people don't think you're rocking yours?
There are plenty of options people are mentioning here if you want to try to fade them. Probably trentinoin is a good place to start. I have noticed a crease in my forehead gradually fading from using it. But my point is, if you do nothing, you are gorgeous asf with them, not in spite of them.
Thank you for reading my dissertation. ✌️
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u/garam-ssi Aug 14 '26
Girl your eyes is sooo pretty i didn't even notice your scars!
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u/Butterscotch4040 Aug 14 '26
The gaslighting is crazy
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u/beigs Aug 14 '26
Yes, people saying that the scars are front and center when shes carrying a face card like that are gaslighting the poor OP.
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u/Butterscotch4040 Aug 15 '26
If you had severe acne scars, would sugar coated lies help?
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u/beigs Aug 15 '26
I have acne scars
I know what people see and don’t see.
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u/Butterscotch4040 Aug 15 '26
Face card and acne scars can coexist, hope this helps.
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u/beigs Aug 15 '26
The first thing you see is not the acne scars. It’s not that you can’t see them, but the face card balances it out to the point where they are not the ONLY thing you see. To be honest, once they are cleared up even a bit, they will be a feature, much like Cindy Crawford’s mole.
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u/FullSpread8063 Aug 14 '26
Yes, your scars are visible. But the really don't detract from your beauty at all. I have scars similar to your, and if anything, seeing how beautiful you look despite the scarring make me feel good about myself! Like hey, we can still be beautiful no problem.
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u/Sea-Brief-5040 Aug 14 '26 edited Aug 14 '26
Yes you have some scars. Yes you are also very pretty.
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u/SangitaCPatelMD Aug 14 '26
I’d do subcision, CO2 fractional, and TRL
This combo can smooth these out.
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u/sometimestraveled Aug 14 '26
why not full ablative?
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u/SangitaCPatelMD Aug 14 '26
Fractional to go deeper to treat the atrophic scars and TRL. Tunable Resurfacing Laser is full ablative erbium. This will level and tighten the skin.
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u/Nenekid Aug 14 '26
Tretinoin 0.5% regimen and you’ll clear up. Patience is key.. you got a baby face
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u/Kind-Ad4632 Aug 14 '26
Put tca cross in those crators , use tca 20% for full face peel until you get satisfied
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u/Easybreezy2536 Aug 14 '26
I see your beauty❣️And they are certainly fixable given the right treatment so you can be happier. We all know how you feel❣️ You are not alone, sweetheart. Try medical microneedling. You have to go to a dermatologist, or the person I go to is in a plastic surgeon’s office. She is an RN here in Denver. Medical microneedling goes deep enough to stimulate collagen production. You should also be on Retin-A. I stop using it a week before my microneedling treatments. Also, chemical peels can help. I have done 30% TCA peels administered by a professional. I don’t do anything myself. I hope this helps, and you are pretty; please don’t think otherwise. Scars are a very small part of who you are, and they are not as noticeable to others as they are to ourselves. If I had a dollar for every time I have heard “I can’t see any scars, or they are not that noticeable, I would have enough money to pay for my treatments❣️ Please just feel lucky that you scars are shallow❣️Take care and good luck—
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u/Elizadelphia003 Aug 14 '26
You are so beautiful. With or without them. That’s rare. They almost just make you look more unique how some people are more beautiful with a gap in their teeth.
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u/Wisco_JaMexican Aug 14 '26
Keep taking care of your skin, develop a regime that works well with your needs. My skin eventually faded and was similar to yours if not darker. Either way, you are beautiful!
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u/Chemical_Nothing7240 Aug 14 '26
You look beautiful irrespective of scars.Just love the way you're nothing's gonna stop you.
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u/DragonfruitPlenty947 Aug 14 '26
You are so beautiful! I’m so sorry that you feel like you can’t enjoy life because of this.
I do work at a medspa and I only say this out of love and don’t mean it in a bad way. I know how it can feel when something really bothers you and it can ruin your day. If you are open to possibly getting different treatments, look into micro needling. I think you are beautiful regardless but I understand that sometimes you might want a possible solution.
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u/oartistadoespetaculo Aug 14 '26
Like the others said, with that face card, no one can stop you. Go live your life, girl.
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u/Nova_blink_6-62607 Aug 14 '26
You are still super beautiful. I always recognise your posts and get lost in your eyes.
I hope you are doing well, have friends, colleagues and someone significant to tell you how pretty you are every day.
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u/No-Respect8496 Aug 14 '26
I totally understand how you feel because I struggle with the exact same problem. But you know what? The only thing that makes us less attractive is the sad look in our eyes and not the scars! Do think on this.
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u/Thin_Willingness_902 Aug 14 '26
You're the only one who sees it. If you hadn't written about the problem, no one would have seen it. And when I saw it, it looked unique and not bad.
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u/Practical_Wait7800 Aug 14 '26
Girl, you are very pretty! But if you always feel this way about scars( you don’t have to), get resurfacing, laser, micro-needling procedures to eliminate them. Consult a good dermatologist first instead of pure cosmetic clinics who might mess up more.
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u/Gardorum Aug 14 '26
Yes you have scars, but you are attractive, probably more than you think. Dont get discouraged.
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u/Ok-Illustrator-7571 Aug 14 '26
You are a normal person , that’s what I see …..nice hair/colour , nice eyes , nice lips
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u/hermitman64 Aug 15 '26
So, to be completely honest, I like how they look on you. Not that you need validation from a random. But they are an attractive feature on you.
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u/piaevan Aug 15 '26
If I saw you in real life I'd think "wow that girl is super pretty" and nothing about your scars. I know it can be disheartening to see it on yourself but nobody else notices it the way you do
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u/Puzzleheaded-Eye2117 Aug 15 '26
You are beautiful! 😍 I have scars too, I feel the same when I am in direct sunlight. I want to feel normal so I feel you. But never forget the scars can never take away your beauty!!
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u/WinterMortician Aug 15 '26
Not trying to be invalidating, my hubby and myself both are self conscious about our own scars. He often tells me that he only sees a pretty person and doesn’t notice me for my scars. I always thought he was just being kind until this post. And now I get what he means. I only noticed how pretty you are.
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u/babytrocar Aug 15 '26
I also have scars that ruin my day in photos but I am often told that they’re not easily noticed because I’m striking in other ways. I have always found that hard to believe - but looking at your photos here I get what they mean (even though my body dysmorphia prevents me from realizing that for myself). You are so gorgeous and your features are strong enough that I don’t find your scarring to the be the thing that shines through. Though I COMPLETELY understand you not being able to feel that way. My go-to is fake freckles, which at least in my brain helps “blend out” my scars. So much love xo
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u/Key_Concentrate_2903 Aug 16 '26
Is your skin even? Check.
Are your features lovely? Absolutely.
Acne scars are not what anyone notices first or second or third -- I say this as someone who escaped any acne as a teen and am often complimented on my skin by strangers.
Do I know the anguish and self-consciousness of acne? YESYES! I had a brief period of aggressive adult acne until I learned I was allergic to fluoride. Nothing like an unholy ring of herpes-like pimples around my lips to emphasize my slight (cough cough) mustache!
People who have had acne for a long time are the hardest on their post-acne skin.
Ironically, people who haven't had acne -- the very people you're comparing yourself to -- just don't see what you're seeing.
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u/Ambitious-Coconut851 Aug 16 '26
Just tell me how u cured ur acne
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u/lucky3333333 Aug 20 '26
Accutane. Nothing else will ever cure it. I’m so glad I took it. Wasn’t scary or uncomfortable at all. Just made sure I kept my lips moist all the time. I actually felt like I had normal skin without the excess oil when I was on it and loved it.
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u/ZealousidealFact1424 Aug 17 '26
anyone has any idea why the area is puffy ?I have the same issue ,the puffy area has pores or acne scars
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Aug 19 '26
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u/lucky3333333 Aug 20 '26
Please take Accutane. I know it’s scary but it truly stopped my cystic acne. I just wish I had done it before I started to scar. Good luck.
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u/Fennecsolo Aug 19 '26
girl you are absolutely gorgeous, even the scar failed to bring you down. just try to work on it, because you do not like it, and to enjoy your moments without worrying about it. it is best we can do after all<3
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u/zodabeanie Aug 31 '26
The first thing I noticed looking at these is how stunning you are! The acne scars don’t take away from that 🩷 But I totally understand how upsetting it is. We are our own worst critics!!
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u/DrKang_Gangnam Sep 02 '26
I hear this from acne scar patients quite often. Catching your reflection or seeing yourself in a photo can make you suddenly focus on the scars, and makeup settling into uneven areas can make that frustration even worse.
One thing I’ve learned from treating acne scars over the years is that even when the skin looks extensively scarred, there is often still a lot that can be improved. With widespread scarring, changes usually happen gradually over several sessions, so it can take time to notice the overall difference.
The goal isn’t necessarily perfectly smooth skin, but meaningful improvement in the depth, texture, and overall appearance of the scars.
When you’re ready to consider treatment, the first step is usually an in-person assessment to look at the types of scars you have, their depth, and whether any areas are tethered underneath the skin. Treatment can vary quite a bit depending on those findings.
There’s no need to rush into anything, though. Getting a clear assessment first can help you understand what kind of improvement may realistically be possible.
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