What Causes Pimple Marks
Many people mistake acne and pimple as the same thing. While acne is a skin condition, pimples are a side effect of one of the symptoms of acne. Oily skin is one of the most affected skin types due to acne and pimples. The pimples and pimple spots appear, in most cases, as the natural boils on your skin. When your skin cells accumulate dirt, toxins and oil sebum, it leads to clogging of pores. These clogged pores, in result, lead to breakouts and pimples. To know how to remove pimple marks effectively, it is essential that you keep your face clean. Many people suffer from pimples due to hormonal changes. However, no matter what the case is, pimple marks are a dreaded nightmare for all of us.
How To Get Rid Of Acne Scars On Face
If you are looking for treatments to reduce your acne scars, here are some of the options you may try:
Must Read:Microdermabrasion Vs Laser Resurfacing Vs Chemical Peel
Now you know all about the different treatment options to get rid of acne scars from face. Go ahead and make an informed decision.
Visit Oliva Skin & Hair Clinic to consult an experienced dermatologist today to get a customised solution for getting rid of your acne scars!
Common Questions
See Your Healthcare Provider For Deep Breakouts Or Cysts
While smaller blemishes can still scar the skin, it’s the big guys that usually do the damage. Because they extend deeper into the skin, deep nodular breakouts or cystic breakouts are more likely to destroy skin tissue and leave scars.
Over-the-counter acne products just won’t help these types of breakouts. Get an appointment with a dermatologist. Quick, effective treatment can help lessen the chance of developing deep scars.
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How Does Acne Cause Scars
Your skin is your largest organ. It has three main layers. They are, starting with the outermost, the epidermis, the dermis and the hypodermis. The layers protect your fragile insides from the elements, from UV rays and bacteria, and they also help produce vitamin D thanks to sunlight. Any area with sebaceous glands is prone to acne especially the face, back and chest.
Acne scars are the result of inflammation of acne blemishes. The acne pore swells and a breakdown occurs in the wall of the pore. Some acne blemishes are small and the scars created are shallow and heal quickly. Sometimes the contents of blemishes spill into the surrounding tissue and cause deeper scars. The skins response is to repair the scar by forming new collagen fibers.
Acne scars take on two main forms: either a scar develops when there is a loss of tissue, resulting in an indentation in the surface of the skin or, a scar develops that is raised on the surface of the skin. This type of acne scar, in fact, is a sign that your skin is doing its job but, perhaps, too well. Your skin creates collagen to help heal the wound the acne but, if it makes too much collagen, raised scars form.
Keep in mind that just because you have acne, that doesnt mean youll get scars. And if you do , the good news is that not all acne scars are permanent! Treatments are available. Some treatments nearly remove the scars while others help the skin heal itself with its own collagen.
Identifying And Preventing Acne Scars
Most people will battle acne at some point in their lives, though some have it worse than others, especially during adolescence. And even after your acne clears up, your skin might not be entirely in the clear. As if acne wasnt enough of a nuisance on its own, this skin condition can leave its share of scars long after a breakout.
If you struggle with acne scars, youve probably wondered if its possible to get rid of them. While acne scar treatments are available and constantly improving, the best way to keep your skin clear of these marks is to prevent them in the first place. In order to do that, it helps to know why you get acne scars in the first place.
Lets discuss how acne turns into acne scars, how to keep them from appearing, and how to remove stubborn scars from your skin.
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What Questions Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider About Acne Scars
- Whats the best makeup I can use to cover my acne scars?
- Which in-office procedure is best for me?
- Do acne scar removal treatments hurt?
- What will my skin look like right after the procedure?
- How long will it take my skin to recover from the procedure?
- Which over-the-counter medication is best for me?
- How can I prevent scars from returning?
- Are acne treatment procedures covered by insurance?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Acne is common very normal and so are acne scars. There are treatments for acne, and there are treatments for acne scars. Some choose to just live with their acne scars while others decide that the scars interrupt their daily lives too much. You can decide to get treatment, or decide not to. You have options and youre in control.
Stay in touch with your dermatologist and any other healthcare providers you see and make sure you ask about treatment options , raise any questions and voice any concerns. You and your doctors will work together to make decisions best suited for you.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 06/23/2020.
References
What Are The Types Of Acne And What Do They Look Like
Acne presents as many different forms. Whiteheads and blackheads are typical and tend to heal smoothly more often than not. Then there are the types that can lead to scarring:
- Papules: Pink to red bumps that hurt when you touch them.
- Pustules: Pus-filled lesions. Theyre red at the base and white or yellow at the top.
- Nodules: Solid lesions. Theyre larger than papules and pustules and can hurt more because they extend deeper into the skin.
- Cysts: Cysts lie deep within the skin. Theyre painful, full of pus and are most likely to scar.
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How Long Will Acne Scar Treatment Last
The type of scar youre having treated and the type of treatment you receive can both impact how long you can expect to enjoy your results.
If you receive dermal fillers to fill the indents caused by some acne scars, this treatment will have to be occasionally redone to keep up your results, but the improvements can be significant. Laser treatment is another option that can offer long lasting results. Our team can give you a better idea of what timeline you can expect when we know which treatment is a good fit for you.
How Do I Avoid Making Acne Scars Worse
- Don’t pick at scars as bacteria can lead to larger scarring.
- Do not scrub or over-wash scarred areas.
- Avoid strong sunshine as this can increase scar prominence.
- If you smoke, quit as studies have shown scars heal less effectively among those who do.
Your health is at the heart of what we do. Our experts are always an appointment away to guide you through the right treatment plan for your acne scars.
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What Causes An Acne Scar
Pimples come in all shapes and sizes. The larger the pimple the more likely it is to cause scarring after its inflammation begins to heal. Acne that takes an especially long time to heal can also result in scarring.
Acne damages skin tissue, causing your body to produce new collagen fibers to repair itself. Unfortunately, the product of this repair can sometimes look uneven and discolored.
How Do You Get Rid Of Severe Acne Scars
The most effective treatments to get rid of severe acne scars include
- Chemical peels: This involves the use of strong chemicals to remove the outer layer of the skin and reduce the appearance of scars. Some salicylic acid, glycolic acid containing peels are available OTC.
- Botox injections: These are highly effective for acne scars with puckered skin around them. These puckered areas can be treated with botulinum toxin injections to improve the appearance of skin.
- Dermabrasion: The procedure involves the removal of the top, damaged layer of skin with a rapidly rotating wire brush or wheel with a rough surface. The procedure deeply exfoliates the top layer of skin to reduce the appearance of deeper scars.
- Microneedling: This uses a small, handheld pen or needle-studded roller to puncture the skin on the surface of the scars. As the punctured skin heals, it makes collagen and reduces the visibility of acne scars by smoothing out the skin.
- Laser resurfacing: The procedure involves removing the top layer of skin to reveal younger underlying skin cells to reduce the appearance of scars. It creates a more even skin surface.
Speak with a dermatologist to determine the best treatment for your acne scars.
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What Can I Expect If I Have Acne Scars
Acne is very common. Its likely that most people you know either have or have had it at some point, probably when they were teenagers. Expect to have to make choices choices about if you will or will not get treatment and choices about the type of treatment. Expect to have the scars for most if not all of your life if you decide not to get treatment. Even with treatment, acne scars are difficult to heal. Theres no 100% guarantee that the acne scars will be completely gone. But most treatments reduce the size of the acne scars and make them less visible.
What Are The Common Types Of Scar Tissues
Acne can lead to scarring of tissues that may vary in appearance based on their depression levels
- Deep-Pitted: These refer to depressions that occur in the skin post-acne and have a punched-out appearance. They can extend deep into the dermis, creating deep scars with sharp edges that look like large pits on the skin.
- Flat: These pigmented acne scars have a slightly different appearance from the surrounding skin as they are either red, brown or black.
- Raised: Some scars may have an elevated appearance compared to the surrounding skin. This is primarily due to the excess production of collagen during the healing process.
- Sunken: These scars have a variable depth and sloping edges. They give the affected area an uneven texture as the wave-like depressions appear like tiny valleys.
- Narrow: The v-shaped scars have smaller indentations that go down deep into the skin.
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Amaira Advanced Scar Vanishing Cream
Amaira Advanced scar vanishing cream boasts of removing different types of scars like acne scars, stretch marks, surgery scars, burn marks, fine lines and wrinkles, and others. This acts as the best acne scar cream as it contains the natural ingredients that work great on your skin
It contains Shea butter and avocado seed extract that act as moisturizers that stimulate smoothness and skin rejuvenation. B-Gluten reduces inflammation and enhances natural collagen growth by 50%. Besides various chemicals, the cream has cucumber extract, safflower oil, green tea extract, aloe vera leaf powder, Xanthan gum, and many other natural ingredients.
The cream is suited for all skin types. However, care should be exercised while using the cream and avoid eye contact. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not use this. Similarly, the cream is not suitable on open wounds or broken skin and not advised after shaving. Some may develop allergic reactions to the product, and the use should be discontinued immediately, and medical consultation is necessary.
The company recommends the use of the cream for 6-8 weeks to get optimum results. Nonetheless, in some cases, the outcome will be visible within two weeks.
After carefully cleaning the area to be treated, apply a generous amount of the cream on the scars, and gently rub it in till well absorbed by the skin. For best results, the application of the cream twice a day is essential.
What Are The Signs Of An Acne Scar
The types of scarring seen in acne include keloids or hypertrophic scars, which appear as red, firm, raised papules , Shah says. Atrophic scars appear as depressed or sunken in areas, and may be larger, broad scars , or small pits scars.
Identifying an acne scar from other types of scars isnt too difficult, because an acne scar occurs in the spot where a pimple was.
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Common Types Of Acne Scars
Types of acne scars
Keloid Scars: A keloid scar is a raised scar resulting from an over-zealous response to acne. An excessive buildup of collagen and skin tissue leaves a ridge or bump. Keloid scars are sometimes painful to the touch or itchy. Normally, keloid scars are found on the back, shoulders, or jawline.
Atrophic Scars: Atrophic scars are depressions in the skin resulting from the production of too little skin tissue during the healing response. Atrophic or depressed scars are of several varieties:
- Ice Pick Scars appear as triangular shaped chisels in the skin. These common scars are often found in areas where the skin is thin, such as the forehead or upper cheeks.
- Boxcar Scars are deep indents with clearly defined edges. Boxcar scars are commonly found on the lower cheeks and jawline.
- Rolling Scars are typically present where skin is thicker, such as the cheeks. These acne scars have sloped edges, and make skin appear wavy or unevenly textured.
If youre prone to acne scarring, you most likely have a mix of several types of scars. Its rare for someone to present with just one type.
How To Get Rid Of Acne Scars Fast
Mild acne scarring can stick around for months if left but with the right ingredients and treatments, you can speed this process up to a couple weeks or even a few days. Its a good idea to start treating acne scars as soon as possible, the longer you leave them, the harder it is to get rid of acne scars. Thats why weve suggested using the products listed above, which contain Vitamin C, Alpha Hydroxy Acids and Retinol.
Severe acne scarring and pitted scars tend to be permanent unless you opt for in-clinic treatments. Some of these procedures weve suggested, which include microdermabrasion, chemical peels and micro-needling, can help to get ride of acne scars quickly, while others can also take weeks or months for you to see improvement.
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How To Get Rid Of Acne Scars
Microneedling
There are many treatments out there to help fade the various forms of acne scarring including lasers and microdermabrasion but Marshalls preferred treatment is microneedling. Performed by a professional, microneedling is probably the best for scarring, and also helps reduce the signs of ageing,” she explains. The process involves using tiny needles to create micro-punctures in the skin, which kick-starts cellular renewal, resulting in greater collagen and elastin production.
Ayodele agrees, adding that “the earlier this is done the better, as it’s much more challenging to treat old scars.”
Peels
If your scars aren’t severe, a chemical peel could be a wise option. “For less obvious scarring, a clinical treatment with a low-pH acid will make a big difference,” says Marshall.
What’s more, at-home peels have come a long way in recent years, and there are now plenty of excellent options that work on renewing the skin surface, reducing the depth and intensity of acne scarring. “To treat acne scars at home, use a product that offers gentle chemical exfoliation,” suggests Dr Gross. Opt for a pre-soaked pad for ease of use, or try a toner-style resurfacing liquid.
Yes, this one smells like vinegar, but it’s also the most effective surface-brightener we’ve tried for under £15. If you’re looking for a quick and affordable fix, it’s worth it.
For Icepick Scars Try Dermal Fillers Or Subcision Surgery
When youre working with ultra-deep acne scars, Green and Vargas agree that fillers are the best choice for diminishing their appearance and creating an even complexion.
Juvederm is a hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler which can be used to treat depressed acne scars such as icepick scars and boxcar scars, Green says, noting that since hyaluronic acid is a substance that is naturally found in the body, there is no downtime and patients see an immediate improvement thanks to the way the formula promotes collagen regrowth.
If, however, fillers dont effectively diminish the appearance of your icepick scars, Green says to turn your attention towards subcision surgery. The procedure is performed by inserting an 18-gauge needle at an acute angle adjacent to the scar with the bevel upwards and parallel to the surface of the skin, she explains. Using a fanning motion horizontally, the fibrous bands are severed. As this occurs, blood containing collagen and elastin fibers rushes into the depressed scar replacing some of the lost collagen. For best results, she says that you should repeat the subcision process monthly in conjunction with lasers until the scarring fully disappears.
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What Is Acne Scarring
The term “scarring” refers to a fibrous process in which new collagen is laid down to heal a full-thickness injury. It affects 30% of those with moderate or severe acne vulgaris. It is particularly common in nodulocystic acne, acne conglobata and acne fulminans. It may also be a long-term consequence of infantile acne.
To reduce the chance of scarring, seek treatment for your acne early. Severe acne can often be cured.
Acne scarring
