Acne scarring: a review of cosmetic therapies

Acne vulgaris is one of the most commonly encountered skin conditions and frequently is seen in both adolescent and adult populations. Scarring is a common result of acne and may take the form of atrophic or hypertrophic scars. Acne scarring often occurs in highly visible areas such as the face, thus resulting not only in an un-desirable cosmetic appearance but also potential impairment of mental health, social functioning, and overall well-being. There is a wide variety of medical and surgical therapies available for treatment of acne scarring. In this article, we review some of the most commonly used cosmetic therapies for acne scarring, including dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, radiofrequency (RF), subcision, skin needling, punch techniques, chemical peels, soft-tissue augmentation, intralesional therapy, cryotherapy, and silicone dressings, with a focus on cosmetic outcomes.