Frequent picking of acne scars will do a number on your skin — and a very unsightly one.

Is there any hope ?

Even if you don’t have the money or insurance to pay for the cost of acne treatment — the last thing that you’ll ever want to do is pick at the blemishes!

Picking will just make the scene worse, creating unsightly scars.

And then what? These scars will never just go away on their own. You’ve dug a deeper hole. But … there is a way to fix this situation.

How to Get Rid of Scars Caused by Picking at Acne

“The only way to get rid of acne scars is with office treatments that resurface the skin,” says Estee Williams, MD, a board certified medical, cosmetic and surgical dermatologist and assistant clinical professor in dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center.

“Most skin resurfacing treatments involve creating controlled wounds in the skin, thereby turning on the body’s healing response which makes new skin,” explains Dr. Williams.

“Wounding — or resurfacing — can be accomplished via needles (‘microneedling’), lights (lasers), acids (‘chemical peels’).”

What does microneedling involve?

The microneedling procedure involves a microscopic needle (yes; do not picture the big needle that doctors use for injections) that creates puncture wounds – and it’s these very tiny wounds that kick up your body’s natural healing response: new collagen and skin.

“Focal tiny ice pick scars can be treated with TCA CROSS, a procedure using high strength acid,” continues Dr. Williams.

“Indented scars can be filled with Belafill filler.

“My favorite acne scar treatments are Fraxel [non-invasive laser therapy], microneedling and Belafill.”

Average cost of laser skin resurfacing?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost for this procedure, as of 2016, was about $2,330.

Note: This is an average.

Cost will very quite a bit depending on where the procedure is performed.

Keep in mind that if you have a medical coverage plan, it probably will not cover the cost, since the removal of acne scars is considered a cosmetic procedure.

Dr. Williams strives to be at the forefront of her field, being active in local, national and international medical and cosmetic dermatology conferences. 
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.