Long after blemishes disappear and breakouts clear up, a lot of people are left with one lingering problem: acne scars.
Not only is this frustrating, but it’s also confusing! You spent all this time curating your skincare routine and protecting your skin with TSC Caffeinated Sunscreen, just to now be dealing with dark spots and uneven skin texture?
No thanks.
Aside from affecting how your skin looks, acne scars often hurt your confidence far more. Suddenly, you’re searching for the best full-coverage concealers and reading posts like “Is a Face Roller Good for Acne?” (Hint: it is! More on that later.)
Some acne scars naturally fade over time with a little patience and a lot of TLC. Others, however, require targeted treatments to stimulate collagen production, reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and gently exfoliate the skin’s surface.
And those are the treatments we’ll be discussing today.
Below, we’ll be giving you the skinny on how to get rid of acne scars fast. We’ll talk about what acne scars often look like, what causes them, and the best treatment methods for fading stubborn spots.
Here’s the good news: you don’t need surgical acne scar removal. Your skin just needs a little extra intention.
How to Get Rid of Acne Scars Fast: Tips That Actually Work
Rule #1 for getting rid of acne scars: be realistic. Different types of acne scars benefit from different treatments.
For example, vitamin C may help address post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, but retinoids are what can help treat atrophic scars. Same general goal—different routes to get there.
Most importantly, you need a consistent, targeted approach. For some, this may be a combination of skincare ingredients. For others, this may look more like using quality skincare alongside scheduling professional treatments.
There’s no “right” or “wrong” method. (Unless you skip targeted skincare altogether.)
When you focus on consistency, SPF, and the right treatments, improving the appearance of acne scars and boosting your confidence are totally possible. Let’s talk about what this looks like:
What Do Acne Scars Look Like?
If earlier you read “different types of acne scars” and raised an eyebrow, you’re not alone. Most people don’t actually know that “acne scar” is an umbrella term. However, understanding this is extremely important when you’re trying to figure out which method may work best for you.
Here’s a brief breakdown of the different types of acne scars and what they look like:
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Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (Dark Spots): Flat patches of dark spots that appear after injury or inflammation. On lighter skin tones, these spots can appear pink, red, tan, or light brown. On darker skin tones, they may appear dark brown or blue-gray.
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Ice Pick Scars: Small, narrow, and deep indentations that look like small puncture or V-shaped holes. They’re often a result of cystic acne that damages skin tissue.
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Boxcar Scars: Round or oval depressions with sharp or vertical edges and a flat base. As one of the most common types of atrophic scars, they look like tiny craters.
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Rolling Scars: Wide, shallow depressions with soft sloping edges. Rather than forming sharp, deep holes, rolling scars often create a wavy, uneven skin texture.
Here’s another important note: ice pick, boxcar, and rolling scars are all types of atrophic scars. This means that the skin loses collagen during the healing process, creating an indentation or depression.
Hypertrophic or raised scars are different. This occurs when the body produces too much collagen during the healing process. Instead of leaving an indentation, the skin builds upward and forms a raised lump.
It IS possible to experience hypertrophic (raised) scars from acne—but they’re far less common.
What Causes Acne Scars?
Picking or Squeezing Pimples That Damages Skin Tissue
We know how hard it is to ignore breakouts that just look like they’re asking to be popped. However, don’t pop them. Ever.
When you press the skin forcefully, it can tear the surrounding tissue and collagen. It can also push bacteria, oil, and pus further into the pore, leading to swelling. From there, your skin has to repair the damage. Depending on how it heals, you may either end up with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or a more severe depression due to collagen loss.
TL;DR: Don’t pick, poke, or squeeze breakouts; just read our guide on how to deep-clean your pores instead.
Severe or Inflamed Acne That Affects Deeper Skin Layers
Severe and inflamed breakouts, like cystic acne, don't just affect the top layer of skin. They form deep under the dermis.
Think of it this way: dead skin and oil clog a pore, bacteria become trapped inside, the inflammation spreads deeper into the skin, and your body rushes in to repair the damage.
AKA: the deeper the damage, the harder your skin has to work to rebuild itself. As deeper layers of the skin heal, your body relies on collagen to fix the damaged tissue. If too little collagen is produced, enter: indented acne scars.
We have two super helpful guides for you. First, start with “How to Get Rid of Dead Skin Cells for Polished, Radiant Skin.” And because acne doesn’t just form on the face, read “How to Scrub Your Skin: Your Body Exfoliation Guide” next.
Delayed Healing Due to Inflammation or Infection
Inflammation is never good for the body, your skin included.
When you’re experiencing inflamed breakouts, it damages your structural proteins, like collagen and elastin. And it does this through enzyme attacks, oxidative stress (free radicals), and structural misfolding.
Lots of technical lingo here, so just know this: inflammation releases bonds that degrade, alter, steal, and tangle collagen and elastin fibers. And that’s the last thing we want when we’re trying to maintain smooth, texture-free skin.
We’ll dive deep into repair methods below. For now, add “How to Reduce Swelling in Face Fast” to your queue.
Excess Collagen Production or Loss During Healing
Ultimately, acne scars result from improper skin healing after a breakout. So this means that at some point during the process, the body produced either too much or too little collagen.
Too little collagen, and you’re dealing with pits, indentions, and depressions… mentally and physically! Too much collagen, and you’re left with puffy, raised, and hypertrophic scars. Fortunately, there’s a way to deal with both, which we’ll get to in a second.
Lack of Proper Acne Treatment During Active Breakouts
There ARE ways to treat acne when you’re experiencing it. Think: supportive face masks, chemical peels, ice rolling, and double cleansing. And people don’t just do these techniques solely because they’re tired of looking at the pimple directly in the middle of their forehead. (The WORST.)
Proper acne treatment during breakouts is ultimately the best way to treat inflammation before it damages the skin. Think of it this way: the longer a pimple stays irritated and inflamed, the more likely it is to leave a mark.
Ready to step into your healthy skin era? We’ve got a few guides for that. Check out “What Are Peptides Used For?” and “Is Castor Oil Good for Acne-Prone Skin?”
Can You Get Rid of Acne Scars?
You can definitely get rid of acne scars… if you keep realistic expectations.
For example, you can’t go into the process expecting that retinoids alone will completely get rid of scar tissue. They can definitely help, and we’ll tell you how below. However, they’re not cure-alls.
Similarly, don’t discourage yourself by immediately thinking that the only way to get rid of acne scars is with surgical removal. (Especially with how advanced medical aesthetics has become!)
Generally, the smallest upgrades have the biggest ROIs. Drying your face with a clean towel, staying hydrated, never going to sleep with makeup on, avoiding over-exfoliating—these are the things that matter.
Thankfully, acne scars aren’t life sentences. Now that we’ve covered the causes, let’s talk about the best treatments for acne scars:
What Gets Rid of Acne Scars?
Salicylic Acid
If you want to effectively get rid of acne scars, you need a little salicylic acid in your routine. This beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) functions as a chemical exfoliant, helping remove dead skin cells and speed up cell turnover.
But the benefits don’t end there. Salicylic acid is also oil-soluble, anti-inflammatory, and super effective for oily and acne-prone skin. In other words, it helps reduce dark spots and the appearance of large pores while smoothing skin and soothing redness.
New to chemical exfoliants? We have the perfect guide for you: “What Does Exfoliating Do and Why Do You Need to Do It?”
Vitamin C
Vitamin C doesn’t just belong in orange juice—it belongs on your face, too. This powerful antioxidant inhibits the enzyme that produces melanin, helping clear post-inflammatory hyperepigmentation.
Beyond that, it helps the body lock collagen strands together, protecting existing collagen and facilitating the production of new collagen. And because it’s such a potent antioxidant, it can even protect skin from sun and pollution!
To learn more about what this multifaceted ingredient can do, read: “Is Vitamin C Good for Acne-Prone Skin?”
Disposable Face Towels
If you’re trying to get rid of acne scars, we can almost guarantee that a dirty, damp towel isn’t doing you any favors. Enter: TSC Face Towels. Made from 100% sustainable bamboo, each towel is silky-soft, naturally renewable, gentle enough for sensitive skin, and, most importantly, disposable.
Not only does this gentle alternative smooth sensitive skin, but it also supports a healthier skin barrier. And what does a healthy skin barrier do? Lowers inflammation, prevents new breakouts, and heals old wounds faster.
And don’t worry, we keep it non-toxic here at TSC. No dyes, chlorine, formaldehyde, BPAs, PFAS, plastic, ink, or dye—just natural, OCS-, OEKO-TEX-, FSC-, CNAS-, Intertek-, and SGS-Certified.
TL;DR: break up with the damp, overused towel that’s been collecting moisture, dead skin cells, leftover makeup, and oil. Instead, see why disposable towels are the best for skin.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a water-soluble antioxidant that calms the skin, boosts the natural moisture barrier, and controls oil production. For those dealing with acne scars, this is huge. Not only does it reduce irritation, but reduced excess oil can help pores appear smaller.
Beyond that, niacinamide also acts as an anti-inflammatory. By fighting and neutralizing free radicals, it can help protect existing collagen, reduce the potential of dark spots getting darker, and enhance the skin’s natural healing process.
Learn more about this powerhouse ingredient in our post, “How to Lift Face Naturally.” Oh, and this one, of course: “Does Niacinamide Help with Acne Scars?”
Ice Rollers
Ice rolling, while it can’t erase tissue damage or scar tissue, can help reduce swelling and redness. More specifically, it can offer an instant boost that temporarily reduces the appearance of acne scars.
But don’t grab the closest ice pack out of your fridge. Use something designed for face and body application, like the TSC Ice Roller.
Made with an ergonomic silicone handle and a large aluminum roller, the TSC Ice Roller uses cold therapy to trigger vasoconstriction. In other words, it shrinks blood vessels to calm post-inflammatory marks left by blemishes. Beyond this, it can also plump the skin, reducing the appearance of deep-pitted scars.
And for its final act, ice rolling mechanically stimulates the skin, encouraging oxygen and nutrients to rush to the surface to support the natural recovery of skin cells.
Yeah, it’s refreshing and skin-boosting. Learn more about the benefits (and get a step-by-step guide!) by reading: “How to Use an Ice Roller for Your Best Skin Yet.”
Professional Medical Aesthetic Treatments
There’s absolutely no shame in reaching out to the professionals for help treating acne scars. In fact, for really deep scars, this is probably the best course of action.
Treatments like microneedling and laser resurfacing therapies do wonders for textured skin. More specifically, both trigger the body’s natural healing response, stimulating collagen production that fills in indentations.
And the best part? These aren’t surgeries; they’re minimally invasive techniques that cut down the side effects associated with going under.
Learn all about TSC founder Lauryn Bosstick’s experience with microneedling HERE!
How Long Does It Take for Acne Scars to Fade?
There’s no one-size-fits-all timeline for fading acne scars. Some people can get their acne scars to fade in weeks, while others deal with indentations for years. Ultimately, it depends on how severe the scar is, what kind of acne it’s a result of, and where the scar is.
For a little context, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation often fades in a few months. Atrophic or indented scars, on the other hand, may never fade naturally.
It’s important to discuss any and all concerns with a board-certified dermatologist. Ultimately, they can analyze your unique skin, history, and goals, and help you with the best plan of action.
How to Fade Acne Scars Fast
Use Sunscreen Daily to Prevent Further Pigmentation
We’ve said this so many times: SPF is a non-negotiable. If you’re doing all of this other stuff to help repair your skin, but you’re not using sun protection, you’re essentially fighting a losing battle.
UV rays can trigger melanin, regardless of skin type or condition. But because scars are lighter and more sensitive, they essentially grab onto this pigment… and don’t let it go. On top of that, the sun actually destroys collagen. So if you’re already dealing with acne scars, you’re just fast-tracking how wide and indented they appear over time.
Needless to say: bring your TSC Caffeinated Sunscreen with you everywhere—and reapply every 2 hours. And if you need a little reminder of why this is so important, we’ve got receipts.
Read TSC founder Lauryn Bosstick’s book, Get the F*ck Out of the Sun, full of routines, products, tips, and insider secrets from 100+ of the world’s best skincare gurus. Then, check out “How to Reapply Sunscreen Over Makeup Without Ruining Your Look.” (Because we know that’s a huge reason why so many of you skip reapplication!)
Incorporate Retinoids to Boost Skin Renewal
Retinoids, derivatives of vitamin A, are the gold standard for reducing visible signs of aging, unclogging pores, and fading dark spots.
This ingredient works by speeding up cell turnover and stimulating collagen production. And we know what you’re thinking… “What does this do for my acne scars?”
Think of it like taking sandpaper to an old dresser. Over time, retinoids even out skin tone by gently getting rid of the damaged cells causing dark spots and discoloration. Not only does this improve acne scars, but it can also prevent future breakouts.
Find more about retinoids by reading our guide: “How to Get Rid of Dead Skin on Face for a Healthy Glow.”
Add Vitamin C for Brightness and Even Tone
If acne scars leave behind stubborn dark spots, vitamin C deserves a permanent spot in your routine. This antioxidant is excellent at brightening the appearance of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation by supporting a more even-looking skin tone over time.
Think of vitamin C as your skin’s cleanup crew. While your body naturally replaces skin cells, vitamin C helps support that process while defending your skin against environmental stressors that can make discoloration appear even more noticeable.
Pair it with daily sunscreen, and you’re giving those lingering marks a much better chance to fade.
Exfoliate Gently with AHAs 1–3 Times per Week
Let’s correct something here: exfoliating your face is important for removing dead skin cells, removing buildup, and boosting cell turnover. Plus, it also helps your skincare products absorb into the skin more effectively!
But there’s a limit to skin exfoliation—and for good reason.
Over-exfoliating can strip your skin barrier, leaving acne scars vulnerable. It can also cause extreme dryness, increase chronic inflammation, and lead to more breakouts.
To get the most out of your post-acne scar regimen, keep exfoliation to a strict 1–3 times-per-week routine. And skip those dried coffee beans that can cause microtears and disrupt your barrier. Instead, choose gentle chemical exfoliants, like AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs.
And if you need another reason to start exfoliating, read: “What Does Exfoliating Do and Why Do You Need to Do It?”
Keep Skin Hydrated to Support Healing
Hydration is everything for healing skin, especially when it comes to acne scars. But when we say hydration, we don’t just mean slather on your favorite nightly moisturizer and call it a day.
Instead, focus on internal and external hydration. You probably have the external part covered—serums, toners, creams, overnight masks—the whole works. But what you may not have is TSC Beauty Salt.
Made with ingredients like 40% colostrum, electrolytes, Celtic salt, coconut water, and pearl powder, Beauty Salt isn’t just refreshing. It supports collagen production, can improve hair, skin, and nails, may help enhance mood and energy, and is designed to support proper hydration.
Simply add it into a froth- or stir-friendly drink, like coffee, tea, matcha, or even a flavorful mocktail, and sip in your hydration. THEN you can go in with your moisturizing, barrier-boosting products.
It’s truly the best of both worlds.
Consider Professional Treatments for Deeper Scars
As we said earlier, there’s no shame in reaching out for help when it comes to acne scars. A lot of the products, techniques, and tips we mentioned above are excellent for fading dark spots and helping minimize indentations.
But if you want to make them disappear for good, professional treatments may be more up your alley.
Medical aesthetics has come a long way from Botox, injections, and facelifts. Now, we’re seeing the rise of treatments like microneedling, laser resurfacing therapies, powerful chemical peels, and intense pulsed light (IPL).
You’re not shortcutting your way through healing acne scars—you’re doing what’s best for your skin and confidence. And that’s what really matters.
You don’t have to just live with acne scars! Instead, follow these helpful tips.
Acne scars don’t just disrupt our skin texture; they destroy our confidence. But we’re here to tell you the good news: acne scars don’t have to define your skin. With a combination of lifestyle upgrades and intentional skincare treatments, you can say buh-bye to indentations and raised scars, and hello to a clear, fresh, and smooth complexion.
