# Is there any cream or medication that removes acne scars **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 22, 2002, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-cream-or-medication-that-removes-acne-scars/115395 "2002-06-22T04:36:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![parisms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@parisms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parisms)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2002, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-cream-or-medication-that-removes-acne-scars/115395/1 "2002-06-22T04:36:34Z")
or at least diminishes them some, All I hear about is laser surgery which I am way too poor for. Any help would be appreciated ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2002, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-cream-or-medication-that-removes-acne-scars/115395/2 "2002-06-22T05:07:02Z")
Google, “reduce acne scars”. [http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/0567.html](http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/0567.html) > [@](#): > > There are a variety of routes one can go for taking care of long lasting acne scars. However, there is nothing medically wrong with the scarring, it is a matter of aesthetics for people to treat the pock marks from acne. Low dose antibiotic therapy has been used to treat moderate cases of acne scarring. Severe scarring can be treated with dermabrasion, but should not be used on skin with active acne. Dermabrasion involves removing the surface layer of skin through high speed sanding to reduce pitted acne scars, or to improve the appearance of raised scars. The skin is numbed with a local anesthetic and a revolving abrasive wheel removes the surface layer. It takes two weeks for the healing process to be complete following the procedure. Other options include topical “natural” ointments to heal the scars, such as those containing Vitamin E, Aloe vera, and/or goldenseal. When you consult your dermatologist, you can have an assessment made as to the severity of your scarring and which approach may be appropriate for you. ---
**Author:** ![parisms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@parisms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parisms)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2002, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-cream-or-medication-that-removes-acne-scars/115395/3 "2002-06-22T05:13:42Z")
thanks for the info, I came here to ask so I could get some advice from people who maybe have had success with certain products because most places on the web just have a product to push and my dermatologist did’nt help any, I think she was in a rush and said that laser is the only way to go ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2002, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-cream-or-medication-that-removes-acne-scars/115395/4 "2002-06-22T07:44:18Z")
Mederma diminished a pretty deep scar on my daughter’s knee. Don’t know how well it works for acne scars though. ---
**Author:** ![Yeah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/dbc845/32.png) [@Yeah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeah)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2002, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-cream-or-medication-that-removes-acne-scars/115395/5 "2002-06-22T14:04:17Z")
“Is there any cream or medication that removes acne scars?” The same creams that work for stretch marks work for acne scars. In other words, the answer to your question is no. However, most scars do fade, contract, and otherwise diminish in noticeability over time no matter what you put on them. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2002, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-cream-or-medication-that-removes-acne-scars/115395/6 "2002-06-22T14:31:29Z")
Mederma generally does not shrink a scar, it just alters the coloration, so it becomes less noticeable. QtM, MD