Anyone had treatment for acne scarring?

[WoodysHat]

I've had bad skin since I was 12 - so around 20yrs now. It was the usual teenage spots initially, not helped by a poor skinners regime unfortunately, but got increasing worse after having my first child. I've since had another 3 children, been diagnosed with PCOS which is most likely the cause of the big, hard spots I tend to get.

Have tried most treatments, both prescribed and over the counter. Thanks to having been either pregnant or bf for the last 4yrs my skin has really settled down now although is still very oily.

My biggest issue is the scarring I have been left with. I have a number of deep pits on both cheeks and they are the bane of my life. I spend at least 30 mins each morning applying foundation and then using concealed as a kind of polyfiller trying desperately to cover them up and it's really getting me down now. I will not leave the house or let anyone see me without make up on and even then I am acutely self conscious and have no self esteem.

I'm at a point now where I need to bit the bullet and look into doing something about this. I'm so ashamed that I don't even know how to broach the subject with my DH. He has never mentioned my skin, I don't either although it must be so obvious. I have long hair which I always wear down so it covers my face, I dont even tuck it behind my ears, ever.

Sorry this has turned into such an outpouring, I have never told anyone about how I feel so its been cathartic getting it all out.

Has anyone had treatment for this? How much did it cost? I could get around £1000 together initially - would this be enough to make a difference?

Thankyou if you've read all this.

Bloody iPhone, should say skincare regime in 1st paragraph!

Anyone?

I have seen treatment for acne scarring at a laser- treatment place but don't know anything about it myself.

I have had treatment for acne myself but no bad scars, however the doctor who treated me made some vague comment about re-surfacing treatment which I personally am not interested in, but it did make me think that if I were to do this I would ask my doc for a recommendation.

Or to put it briefly; ask for a recommendation from a skin specialist doctor.

i had some microdermabrasion before i got pregnant a few years ago. i think it helped a bit but didn't make a huge difference to the deeper scars. i did look into a few options but can't remember now!
have you looked into it at all? do you know what options there are?

A friend of mine had laser treatment and it made a huge difference for her. She managed to get it at a laser clinic but on the NHS as she also had PCOs.

If you do go down the laser route, be sure and use a clinic approved by the Healthcare Commission

Hello! I've had laser treatment for bad scarring, not on the face but on the body. It is deep dark scaring and really messy and I had fractional laser treatment done at the Harley Medical Group in Manchester. It has made a massive difference and I've not finished it yet (have treatments 4 weeks apart). I would imagine that your scarring would probably not be as deep as mine and mine is now a lot less deep and nowhere near as noticeable.

PM me if I can be of any more help.

Another excellent procedure, which is relatively new, is called Derma Roller (by an doctor or nurse, not the at home type). It works by stimulating collagen deep within the skins surface. I have had two treatments together with a vitamin A peel to help with texture and to make my skin more refined. It has been excellent.