Abstract

Objectives: Review the types of acne scars as well as the pathophysiology of acne scarring. Discuss factors affecting scar treatment. Address available treatments with a specific focus on effective combination therapies for acne scarring. Introduction: The pathophysiology of acne scarring is not fully understood but includes genetic predispositions, intensity and duration of inflammation, and aberrant wound healing. Eliminating Scars is unlikely and no matter the therapy, patients will need multiple treatments. Factors to be considered when determining treatment include scar type, presence of active acne, skin color of patient, cost of treatments, available downtime and patient preferences. Materials / method: Extensive review of the literature for randomized clinical trials assessing acne scarring treatments with a focus on combination therapies. Results: There are many types of acne scarring treatments available with no gold standard. Randomized clinical trials are limited but demonstrate that results are best with combination therapies that consider many treatment factors and must be individualized for the patient. Conclusion: There is no gold standard acne scarring treatment. Patients should be treated early even at the first acne visit for best outcomes. It is important to treat scar associated erythema. Patient's expectations must be managed as it is difficult to eliminate scars completely. Multiple treatments are necessary that will require costs to the patient as well as downtime but success is achievable.