10 ways to get rid of them

What can you do

Bags are usually caused by old acne scars, chicken pox or infections that can affect the skin, such as staph. The results are often deep, dark scars that don’t seem to go away on their own.

There are scar removal options that can help remove the marks or minimize their appearance. Read on for 10 options to discuss with your skin care specialist.

From traditional creams to silicone-filled bandages, OTC treatments work primarily by moisturizing your skin and minimizing the overall appearance of scarring. They can also help relieve any itching and discomfort you may have.

Examples include:

OTC scar treatments are readily available without a prescription. However, they may take months to work and require persistent use for best results. In some cases, continued use may also increase the risk of side effects such as rash and irritation.

A facial massage does not immediately remove the scars. But it can complement other scar treatments you’re already using. It is thought that facial massage can reduce inflammation and improve skin circulation, while also removing toxins. In turn, you may notice overall improvements in skin texture and tone.

Facial massages have no side effects, but their effectiveness against bags has not been widely studied. If anything, a weekly or monthly massage could reduce stress and inflammation.

Chemical peels are used for a variety of cosmetic concerns, including minimizing wrinkles and scars. They work by removing the top layer of skin (epidermis) to help regenerate new cells. This process is called exfoliation.

Rather than actually removing scars, chemical peels have the potential to minimize their appearance. These peels tend to work best only for scars with a flat surface.

Chemical peels can use:

• glycolic acid
• pyruvic acid
• salicylic acid
• trichloroacetic acid (TCA)

Common side effects include peeling, redness, and burning.

Chemical peels only remove the outer layer of skin, so you should do it on a regular basis to achieve maximum results. Your skin care specialist may recommend these every two to four weeks, depending on your individual tolerance and the type of ingredients used.

Microdermabrasion is another type of resurfacing treatment that removes the epidermis. Instead of using acids like those used in a chemical peel, microdermabrasion consists of abrasive ingredients to remove skin cells.

This procedure is traditionally carried out by a skin care specialist, although at-home kits are available. Microdermabrasion does not usually cause side effects, but it tends to work better when done regularly. It also works best for smaller superficial scars.

Dermabrasion is another type of skin resurfacing treatment. Unlike its sister microdermabrasion treatment, dermabrasion removes both the epidermis and the middle layer of the skin (dermis).

It is done in the doctor’s office and may require general anesthesia. Your dermatologist uses a skin resurfacing machine to remove the epidermis and parts of your dermis to reveal smoother, toned skin.

Dermabrasion is not as effective for deeper scars. It also carries the risk of side effects, such as:

• new scars
• expanded resources
• mottled skin pigmentation
• contamination

Microneedling is also called ‘collagen induction therapy’ or simply ‘needling’. This is a step-by-step treatment that involves needles piercing your skin.

The idea is that once the bag wounds heal, your skin will produce more collagen to fill them naturally and reduce their appearance. Side effects include bruising, swelling and infection.

For maximum results, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends follow-up treatments every two to six weeks. You will likely begin to see significant results within nine months.

Dermal fillers such as collagen or fat-based substances are injected into the area of ​​concern. Instead of removing scars completely, dermal fillers aim to plump up your skin to improve its appearance.

According to the AADresults can last anywhere from six months to indefinitely, depending on the filler used. Fillers also carry some risks such as skin irritation, infection and allergic reactions.

For pockmarks, the ablative laser resurfaces by removing thin layers of your skin. This is considered the most invasive form of laser resurfacing and you will need one to two weeks of recovery time. However, the results tend to last for years without additional treatment.

For acne-related scars, your skin care specialist may recommend focal acne scar treatment (FAST).

Side effects of ablative laser resurfacing include:

• further scarring
• pigmentation changes
• redness and swelling
• acne
• infections

Nonablative laser resurfacing is less invasive than ablative resurfacing and does not require the same amount of time. In fact, you can resume your normal activities immediately after treatment as long as there are no complications.

While this can be an advantage for some people, it also means that it is not as effective as ablative laser resurfacing.

This type of laser treatment stimulates the skin by increasing collagen rather than simply removing the affected layers of skin. Overall results appear gradually, but may not last as long as ablative laser treatment.

Although less invasive, nonablative laser resurfacing still carries the risk of side effects.

These include:

• new scars
• blisters
• redness
• dark patches of skin, especially if you already have darker skin

With punch excision, your skin care specialist removes the cyst with a tool called a punch. The punch itself is designed to be larger than the scar being removed. Although this procedure removes the backpack, it will leave behind a lighter surface-level scar. This one-time treatment has no other side effects.

While it may be tempting to try all the available options, it’s best to talk to your skin care professional before trying to get rid of the bags. You should also consider the current health of your skin.

For example, if you still have acne over backpacks, your skin care specialist should treat the acne before proceeding with scar removal.

Having your skin examined by a skin care specialist is the first step to finding the right treatment for the pockmarks.

You should also check with your insurance provider to see if the procedures are covered. Most of these procedures are considered “cosmetic”, which can lead to large costs.