They Help Increase Product Absorption
In addition to their own distinct benefits, AHAs can make your existing products work better by increasing their absorption into the skin.
For example, if you have too many dead skin cells, your daily moisturizer just sits on top without hydrating your new skin cells underneath. AHAs like glycolic acid can break through this layer of dead skin cells, enabling your moisturizer to hydrate your new skin cells more effectively.
Its Never Too Late To Treat Those Scars
Although its not possible to get rid of your acne scars quickly, its never too late to treat them. Teenage patients may have to wait until their early 20s before undergoing treatment to make sure theres little risk of future acne flare-ups.
While theres no real way to get rid of acne scars naturally and at home, there are a few things you can do to reduce your risk of getting acne scars:
- Quit smoking or dont start smoking.
- Keep your hands off of your face. Resist the urge to pick or squeeze your pimples.
- Treat your acne as soon as possible to reduce the chance of scars.
Scarring can happen at any age, no matter if youre a teenager and your hormones are changing or youre an adult. Sometimes when adults lose weight or lose elasticity in their skin as they age, scarring from years past becomes more evident.
Occasionally, we will actually remove a pitted scar that we know wont heal well with standard treatment using a technique called punch excision, she says. This is where the whole scar and hair follicle are removed prior to resurfacing.
Another treatment that may be helpful before any of the lasers or peels is called subcision, a procedure that involves releasing a scar thats bound to the muscle or deeper tissues so that it can move freely again. Both of these techniques are used with deeper scars to bring them to the surface to enhance their response to the laser, chemical peel or microneedling.
What Type Of Scarring Do You Have
Gross says there are four different types of acne scars one can get: ice pick, rolling, boxcar and hypertrophic. Once you figure out what type you’re dealing with, it’s easier to choose the most effective treatment to getting rid of those scars.
Recommended Reading: How To Wash Face Properly To Prevent Acne
Acne Scarring: The 6 Best Treatments
Even after you’ve gotten rid of a stubborn pimple, you may be left with an unpleasant reminder in the form of a scar. These scars form when the dermis is damaged, typically from picking at or popping a zit. Acne scars may not be as physically irritating as acne itself, but they can reduce ones confidence and linger for years. Its important to find the best treatment to get rid of those pesky pigmentations as quickly as possible.
Just as there are several effective treatments for acne, there are a number of ways to get rid of acne scars. We wont list every single method, brand, or product here, but we will go over the 6 best treatments for acne scarring.
Tomato And Yogurt Pack
To make this face pack, mix two teaspoons of fullers earth or Multani mitti, one teaspoon of yoghurt, half a mashed tomato, half teaspoon of aloe vera gel along with ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder and mix to form a paste. Apply the pack all over the face, gently massaging it on the scars. Leave it for 20 minutes before you rinse it with cold water.
Read Also: What Is The Best Soap For Acne
Different Types Of Acne Scars
Acne scars come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and you may even have multiple types of acne scars on your skin. The best way to get rid of acne scarring fast is to know the type of acne scar being treated. The most common scars include:
PIH
PIH or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is one of the most common types of acne scars. While other acne scars have a certain texture, PIH is a flat type of scar that only affects the pigment of the skin cells. Generally, this hyperpigmentation is left after the inflammation of the acne scar has faded away and may appear as a red, pink or brown patch of skin.
Sometimes, PIH goes away by itself through natural skin shedding, although this process may take several weeks. Other times, because the acne was very bad, PIH can linger for months.
Keloid
Both keloid and hypertrophic scars are a type of raised textural scar that leaves a bump on the skin surface. This raised scar tissue is usually the same size of the acne or slightly bigger than the original acne. Keloids are generally caused by skin tissue growing over inflammation and are considered permanent. They are also the most challenging type of acne scar to treat.
Boxcar
A boxcar scar is an atrophic scar or a scar that creates a depression on the skin surface. Boxcar scars are typically wide, shallow, and squarish in appearance, and may have a deep or shallow depression. These scars generally form on the cheeks, jawline, and chin as a result of widespread acne.
Rolling
Icepick
Hypertrophic Scars And Keloids
Poonsak Pornnatwuttikul/Alamy Natallia Mikulich/Shutterstock
Some types of acne leave scars that appear as enlarged, raised growths of tissue. These acne scars are caused by too much scar tissue. Hypertrophic scars and keloids look similar, but the latter are more raised than the former.
More on Managing Acne
Also Check: How To Treat Pustule Acne
Beautybio Glopro Regeneration Tool And Face Attachment
Microneedling is when tiny pins vibrate back and forth on the skin and create micro injuries that help stimulate collagen production and smooth out the skins surface, according to Hartman, who provides medical-grade microneedling treatments at his practice.
Although Hartman said he hasnt used at-home microneedling kits, brands like Ora and Beauty Bio make top rated microneedling tools. Beauty Bios for example, received a 4.5-star average rating from nearly 190 reviews on Amazon and it comes with prep pads, an empty sanitizing bottle and power adapter. At-home microneedling kits like Beauty Bios wont penetrate the skin as deep as professional-grade treatments, which is why the brand recommends utilizing the device up to three times a week.
Top Tip For How To Get Rid Of Acne Scars Fast: Start Early
Mild acne scarring can stick around for months but you can speed this process up to a couple weeks or even a few days, when using the right products. 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 them.
woman& home thanks Dr. Alexis Granite, Dr. David Jack, Dr Dennis Gross, Margo Marrone and Genevieve Knodell for their time and expertise
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What Is The Fastest Way To Get Rid Of Acne Scars
Acne is the most common skin condition in the world, with most people experiencing some form of acne during puberty or in adulthood. But while acne is common, it can also be hard on the skin. Even if you do everything you can to limit your breakouts, you may still end up with acne scarring, especially if youve been dealing with acne for years. Luckily, the compassionate skin experts at Metro Dermatology in Elmhurst, NY know all the best ways to get rid of acne scars.
What Are The Best Ingredients For Acne Scars
Both of our experts agree that if you have severe rolling, icepick or boxcars, it’s best to book in with a dermatologist who will be able to provide more effective solutions. PIH and erythema generally fade over time, but there are ingredients that help speed up the process.
Dr. Patalay recommends five main ingredients which work effectively to reduce the appearance of PIH.
Recommended Reading: What Is Acne Prone Skin Means
A Ayurvedic Treatment For Acne Scars
In the natural science of Ayurveda, acne scar treatments mainly focus on using herbs to boost collagen production, aid wound healing, lighten marks and exfoliate damaged skin.
1. Ayurvedic Ubtan
Ubtan is an Ayurvedic massage therapy done with herbal powders and oils. The massage is performed with upward strokes and improves the subcutaneous blood circulation, exfoliates damaged skin and removes ama toxins from the body. Ubtan is especially effective for removing raised hypertrophic acne scars.
How To Use
Grind gram flour, neem leaves and turmeric to form a coarse powder. Add coconut oil or ghee to form a coarse paste and exfoliate the affected areas. Wash off with lukewarm water.
2. Licorice, Red Sandalwood, Milk & Saffron To Lighten Acne Scars
Licorice, red sandalwood and saffron are magical herbs that contain natural depigmenting compounds such as glabridin and santalin. These are known tyrosinase inhibitors that can gradually remove acne scars with regular use. Lactic acid in milk removes dead cells, clears acne scars and improves the overall appearance of your skin.
How To Use
Soak saffron in milk for over an hour. Add licorice and red sandalwood powder to form a paste. Apply on your skin to get rid of stubborn acne scars. Wash off after 20 minutes.
3. Hibiscus, Gotu Kola, Amla & Ashwagandha For Collagen Production
How To Use
4. Turmeric, Basil, Triphala & Honey For Acne Scar Healing
How To Use
Acne Scar Treatment No : Wear Spf
It might seem like the simplest way to get rid of acne scars and we bang on about it a lot but SPF really does solve all your skin troubles. Not only does it protect against the dreaded sun damage but it helps avoid the more long term risk of skin cancer and, in turn, the marks it can leave on your skin.
But SPF is never more crucial than when youre using acids, retinol or extensive treatments that can leave your skin vulnerable. ‘The skin is more vulnerable to damage and pigmentation change following acne treatments such as IPL laser and even using products that contain AHAs and BHAs and pigmentation spots can potentially get worse is SPF is not applied,’ says Dr. Mahto.
So SPF up ASAP.
Elemis Daily Defence Shield SPF30 – £46 SHOP NOW
Caudalie Anti-Wrinkle Face Suncare SPF30 – £19 SHOP NOW
Kiehls Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel – £30 SHOP NOW
Darphin Intral Shield SPF50 – £40 SHOP NOW
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How To Find A Provider
Laser treatment is a simple and effective way to reduce the appearance of acne scars.
Speaking with a board-certified dermatologist is the first step to finding out if this treatment is right for you. If youre concerned about your acne scars and dont already have a dermatologist, you can view doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool. You may want to shop around and speak to different providers to figure out which treatment option is right for you and your budget.
Here are some links for finding a certified provider in your area:
Injections For Acne Scars
Injections are used for a variety of cosmetic treatments. Steroid injections are the most common and are used for raised pimple scars.
Steroid injections soften and flatten swollen scars. Injection treatments often require multiple visits. More intensive treatment may be required if your scars donât respond to the injections.
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They Help Treat And Prevent Acne
You may be familiar with benzoyl peroxide and other acne-fighting ingredients for stubborn blemishes. AHAs may also help treat and prevent recurring acne.
Acne pimples occur when your pores are clogged with a combination of dead skin cells, oil , and bacteria. Exfoliating with AHAs can help loosen and remove the clog. Continued use may also prevent future clogs from forming.
AHAs may also reduce the size of enlarged pores, which are commonly seen in acne-prone skin. Skin cell turnover from exfoliating glycolic and lactic acids can even reduce acne scars. Some acne products also contain other AHAs, such as citric and malic acids, to help soothe inflamed skin.
And AHAs arent just for your face! You can use AHA products on other acne-prone areas, including your backside and chest.
According to the Mayo Clinic, it can take two to three months before you start to see significant acne improvements. Its important to be patient while the products work to relieve acne over time. You also need to use the products consistentlyskipping daily treatments makes it take longer for the ingredients to work.
Why Do Deep Acne Scars Form
The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery explains that Acne scars form during the healing process of inflamed acne blemishes. When the skin pores are full of excess oil, dead skin cells and bacteria, this causes the pore to swell and break the follicle wall.
Small, shallow lesions are able to heal quickly and smoothly, but deep breaks in the pore walls cause infected material to spill out into surrounding areas which creates a deeper wound. When the skin tries to heal a deep, inflamed wound, the new collagen is rushed and the repair is not as smooth as normal skin and classified as an acne scar.
Deep acne scars are the result of deep, inflamed blemishes healing. The deeper the inflamed acne blemish, the collagen production during the healing process will produce a deep acne scar as a result. There are ways to improve and heal acne scars, but it is always easier and better to try preventing the acne and scarring from happening in the first place.
Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Back Acne Products
What Are Postinflammatory Colour Changes
Postinflammatory colour changes are seen after inflammatory acne lesions have recently healed.
- Postinflammatory erythema pink or purple flat patches
- Postinflammatory pigmentation brown marks , seen in people who can tan easily
- Postinflammatory hypopigmentation white marks
Postinflammatory colour changes improve with time, but it can take many months for them to completely resolve.
Postinflammatory colour changes in acne
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% Bha Liquid Exfoliant
This product is ideal if you’re still suffering from acne and trying to get it under control. By controlling your acne, you lessen the chance of new scars from developing.
- How to use: This product can be used after cleansing and before moisturizing. Apply a dime size amount to a cotton ball and apply all over your skin. DO NOT wash off. Follow with your favorite moisturizer.
- How BHA helps pitted acne scars: Specially formulated for acne prone skin, this popular product unclogs pores in an effort to prevent acne from developing. By preventing acne, you also prevent pitted acne scars from developing.
- What you can expect: Although it will not directly reduce scarring, this leave-on exfoliant is a good preventative measure to take to keep acne at bay. Combined with the dermaroller and Vitamin C serum above, you’ve got yourself a solid plan to finally combating your pitted acne scars.
- Ideal for: Those with oily and acne prone skin.
Recommended Reading: Is Powder Foundation Better For Acne
Radio Frequency + Microneedling
RF microneedling takes dermarolling and adds an energy component, namely radio frequencies. Like light waves, sound waves can also stimulate a physical response. When combined with microneedling, the skin is even more activated to start rebuilding. This somewhat recent acne scar treatment method has proven effective at softening up acne scar pigmentation.
Try Led Light Therapy
LED Light grows collagen in quantifiable percentages, Vargas explains. In my salon, we do several different treatments that involve LED light, but by far the most popular is my patented RevitaLight Bed which gives a client a full body treatment of healing LED…Its sort of like having a magic wand.
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