Can acne scars be restored to normal skin?

In general, if the pockmarks are mild and cover a small area, they may gradually recover to a normal condition on their own. However, if the pockmarks are deep and extensive, they are unlikely to return to normal naturally.

If the pockmarks are mild and limited in area, improving lifestyle habits and practicing proper skincare may help them gradually recover naturally. For example, maintaining adequate sleep, eating a light diet, and regularly using moisturizing skincare products rich in hyaluronic acid can help enhance skin plumpness and reduce the visibility of pockmarks. Shallow pockmarks usually can self-repair within about three months.

If the pockmarks are deep and cover a large area, it is difficult for them to recover naturally. In such cases, timely medical consultation is recommended, and topical medications such as tretinoin cream or asiaticoside cream may be considered. These medications can help fade scars but require long-term use to achieve noticeable results. For particularly severe and difficult-to-repair pockmarks, medical aesthetic treatments such as laser therapy or microneedling may be more effective options. These treatments stimulate collagen regeneration in the skin to fill in the pockmarks and improve skin texture, although post-treatment results may only bring the facial skin close to a normal appearance.