Dos & Don’t To Avoid Acne Scarring
- Do not pop or squeeze acne spots – resist the urge at all costs no matter how juicy or ripe a pesky breakout looks. Touching the area can help spread bacteria and dirt across your face, which can lead to infection.
- Do use sunscreen to limit harsh sun exposure – even in the UK. UV exposure causes spots to darken so incorporating a daily moisturiser with SPF is an easy way to protect your skin. Products like Simple Kind to Skin+ Protecting Moisture Cream or more sensitive skin like Ambre Solaire’s are perfect for everyday use.
- Do try and use chemical free products where possible, natural ingredients like vitamin C aids inflammation and fades patches, so products like Viola Skin Vitamin C Serum are great to use regularly.
- Do go to a specialist and get regular facials. Talking to a dermatologist about your skin, can provide a wealth of advice if you’re at your wits end. Professional treatments such as Intense Pulsed Light Microdermabrasion are expert ways to reduce scars and wrinkles over time.
- Do drink plenty of water – it is one of the easiest and most effective ways to flush toxins out of your body and leave you with clearer skin. And it is free.
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Go For Lab Treatments
According to your skin type/sensitivity and the severity of your acne scars, you can choose among the different types of lab treatments to get rid of acne scars. Although they are extremely expensive, they have proven helpful for acne scar removal.
From laser treatments to chemical peels and micro skin needling, you have a lot of options. But before going in for any treatment, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist to understand whether or not your skin can tolerate it.
Acne Scars Or Hyperpigmentation
Acne scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can both occur after a breakout, but the two are actually very different and thus a different approach is required when it comes to fading them.
“Acne scars occur when too much collagen forms in a particular spot while a wound is healing,” explains dermatologist Dr Dennis Gross. “The scar often develops within the dermis, where the original acne-induced inflammation formed.”
When someone has cystic acne, there’s a higher probability of having rolling or boxcar scarring especially if they are picked at before they are ready, or too aggressively,” says Marshall. Aesthetic practitioner and ambassador for Filorga, Dr Philippe Hamida-Pisal agrees. “Acne scarring is due to touching and squeezing spots. This damages small veins, glands and tissues surrounding the spots which creates scarring,” he says.
Unlike acne scarring, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is simply a form of skin pigmentation , which occurs as a result of trauma to the skin. As it doesn’t damage the follicle, it isn’t considered a true form of scarring.
According to Ayodele, certain skin types and tones are more likely to experience this post-acne redness. “Darker skin tones are more prone to hyperpigmentation because of the higher levels on melanin in the skin. This means that whenever there is any trauma, the melanin cells quickly leap into action to produce more melanin to defend and protect against that trauma,” she says.
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Diy Aloe Vera Acne Scar Removing Cream
To get rid of acne scars fast, you may need to make the cream. Aloe vera contains 75 potentially active compounds that help heal the scar tissues faster. You can try out this recipe to make your cream.
You’ll need
- 7-8 drops of tea tree oil or basil essentials
Mix the three ingredients and store them in a tight container in the refrigerator for about an hour. To use, wipe the affected area with a damp cloth, then apply a layer of this mixture. Use at night before bed to achieve the best results. You can store it in the refrigerator for a week.
Now Lets Turn To The Effective Ways To Get Rid Of Scars
Never Squeeze Your Pimples. When the pore is infected, a pimple is formed. Oils, bacteria and picking or squeezing pimples also causes additional infection and further inflammation that gives a chance of scarring into our skin.
Laser Therapy. This type of treatment works at a deeper level which targets the injured skin to activate its natural self-healing process. Complexion appears smoother once the skin is renewed. Wide range of laser variants are available and should only be conducted by an experienced dermatologist to avoid injuries onto skin.
Fruit Acids. This treatment is frequently used to treat acne scarred skin. Up to 12% of mild concentrations are available for home use while up to 40% of concentrations are allowed for the beauticians and 70% are allowed for dermatologists on the most appropriate concentration for your skin.
At-home Chemical Peels. One of the most popular ways to try in removing acne scars from your face are chemical peels. It typically helps you get a nice, smooth texture and lighten the darker areas of your face so scarring would become less visible. It unclogs your pores that helps prevent future acne breakouts. How are chemical peels such miracle workers? Chemical peels work by taking off the top layer of the skin from your face, giving you a fresh and glowing new skin.
Lets solve acne scars faster by building skincare routine using these products!
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Failing To Treat Acne As Soon As Possible
The first step is to treat acne as soon as you see it. Start with these DIY acne remedies to get rid of them quickly, but if they dont seem to be working, see your doctor right away. Preventing acne in the first place helps with acne scars because it prevents acne from becoming severe and leaving larger, darker scars.
What Causes Acne Scars And Dark Marks
The spots that linger after a pimple has healed are caused by inflammation that has disrupted the skin’s natural healing process. “When your skin is opened up and then closes back together, you can get abnormal pigmentation, texture, and tone that looks different from the rest of your skin. Sometimes the broken blood vessels that remain after an acne lesion fades can result in a mark,” says Dr. Bowe. For a number of people who are able to refrain from picking, inflamed pimples or blemishes can still leave a dark brown or red mark but these naturally fade over the course of a few months, notes dermatologist Heather C. Woolery-Lloyd, MD.
Since it’s pretty difficult to determine what causes one person to scar more than another, the best way to avoid scarring is to treat acne with a great skin care routine and that means you need to resist picking, poking, or touching a pimple.
Some acne marks and scars are completely within your control while others are pre-determined. Aside from genetics, there are several lifestyle habits that can make dark marks and scars worse. Spending time in the sun is a big one, and, to reiterate one last time, every dermatologist agrees that picking or squeezing pimples creates further inflammation and can ultimately lead to more damage.
Now that we know where acne scars and dark spots come from, let’s dive into how to treat themstarting with acne scars.
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Acne Scar Treatment No: Chemical Peels
Whenever chemical peels are mentioned, an image of Samantha from Sex And The City turning up to Carries book launch party with red raw skin and a black veil immediately comes to mind. But, peels have come a long way since then and, thankfully, veils are no longer required.
The best update? You can now use them in your own bathroom. AHAs and BHAs have become a staple in most skin lovers routines because they tackle an array of issues. From whiteheads to blackheads, acids are a top problem solver if you choose the right one.
Glycolic acid is the most popular when it comes to AHAs. Its the most potent when it comes to exfoliating, which means its incredibly efficient but can be too strong for sensitive skin types.
Lactic acid actually comes from lactose in milk, rather than fruit acids like other AHAs which means its particularly effective when it comes to erasing signs of ageing.
When it comes to BHAs, salicylic acid is the most commonly used. Good news for sensitive skin sufferers, this one’s for you. It helps calm down redness and inflammation, which also makes it super useful when it comes to getting rid of any blemishes.
This Sounds A Lot Like Hyperpigmentation Is That The Same Thing
Nope. Like scarring, hyperpigmenation is what’s left behind by a pimple, but instead of altering the texture of the skin and leaving behind a divot or another bump, hyperpigmentation is strictly discoloration, says Dr. Gohara.
“Anything can cause hyperpigmentation, but it happens primarily because of inflammation brought on by people picking at their pimples, using an aggressive scrub, or medication that’s too irritating to the skin,” she explains. In the spots one occupied by pimples, some people will have hyperpigmenation, others might get scarring, and some people’s pimples won’t leave anything behind at all. It all depends on your skin type, how you care for it, and the conditions you’re prone to.
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Acne Scar Treatment No: Retinol
Also known as vitamin A, retinol goes hand in hand with anti-ageing treatments but can also be used to unclog pores and fade scars. Its a more gradual treatment but is popular for leaving skin looking brighter and smoother.
Associate Professor of Clinical Dermatology at USC, Keck School of Medicine, Dr Nada Elbuluk explains the benefits: ‘Many darker skin patients who develop dark spots also known as hyperpigmentation, may refer to them as “scars”. For others, acne scars can refer to textural changes in the skin such as indentations and uneven skin texture. If it’s the former, then we often treat with products such as retinoids which can help with evening out skin tone and treating acne. If it’s more of a textural change, retinoids can also help but typically a resurfacing treatment is also needed’.
Avoid if you have rosacea – it can upset and irritate.
Do trybakuchiol – it’s a natural alternative rich in vitamin C and E that works to provide the same brightening results.
Not Using A Proper Cleanser On The Face
The most critical step in your skincare program is cleansing your face. One of the most important jobs is to get the proper cleanser for your skin. So, if you have acne or scars, a salicylic acid face cleanser is definitely the best option. This is a fantastic one that I swear by and would definitely suggest.
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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.
Is It Possible To Prevent Acne Scarring
Yes, there are certain things you can do, but unfortunately, some people are more prone to scarring than others. To reduce your chances of developing scars where your pimples used to be, avoid manipulating and picking at your pimples, recommends Dr. Gohara. Instead, focus on keeping your face cleanshe suggests with the mild Dove beauty barand your acne treated.
You might also give a retinoid cream a try. The vitamin-A-packed treatment helps boost collagen production which can help plump up the skin so that scars have harder time forming, Dr. Gohara explains. She recommends Differin Gel. Remember, retinoids are available in a variety of intensities. So while an OTC retinoid might work wonders on a friend’s skin, depending on how prone you are to scarring, you might need something a little stronger that only a dermatologist can prescribe.
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What Is Microneedling
Microneedling is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure thats used to treat skin concerns via collagen production. Also known as collagen induction therapy, this treatment may help those looking to reduce the appearance of acne scars and stretch marks.
Its also used in certain anti-aging procedures, such as eyelid surgery and sun spots. Though more research is needed, studies have shown the potential benefits of microneedling in promoting hair growth.
You may be an ideal candidate for this procedure if youre in good health and have certain skin concerns that havent responded to home treatments or other types of dermatologic procedures, such as peels.
This may also be a final step before considering cosmetic surgery for anti-aging and other concerns. Learn more about microneedling and talk to your dermatologist to see if this is the right option for your skin.
How Acne Are Formed
Acne occurs when the openings of hair follicles become clogged. These small holes get blocked with oil and dead skin cells. If these pores get infected by bacteria, then they will be filled with a yellow kind of liquid. It forms a pimple, which is a small red bump with pus at its tip.
People of all ages get acne, but its most common in teenagers and young adults. Acne is more common in young males as compared to females. Acne can continue into adulthood. Acne remains largely a curse of adolescence, but about 20% of all cases occur in adults acne commonly starts during puberty between the age of 10 and 13 and tends to be worse in people with oily skin. Teenage acne usually lasts for 5 years to 10 years.
Most people have acne on and off for several years, their symptom starts to improve as they get older. Acne often disappears when a person is in their mid-20s. Acne can also be considered a condition that has been driven by the androgen hormones, which typically become active during the teenage and young adult years.
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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.
Keep Your Skincare Routine Minimal
Just like you can eat only to a limit, your skin can also tolerate treatments up to a certain point. So, there is no point in using tons of products if your skin cannot handle it.
Keep your skincare routine minimal and use treatment products on a weekly basis. A minimal routine should look like this: Wash your face twice a day with a foaming cleanser, moisturize whenever required, and use sunscreen in the daytime.
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Types Of Acne Scarring
To help you identify which type of acne scar you might be dealing with, we also put together a quick at-a-glance view of common acne scars. While they all vary in appearance, Hartman highlighted these names are just descriptors for the different shapes of acne scars. Theyre all the same thing and just come about from different severities of acne breakouts and lesions, he said.
Look For Specific Ingredients In Your Skincare
If the skin care products you own do not have the right ingredients to heal acne scars, then its not worth your time. In order to treat acne scars fast, it all comes down to products that have ingredients that target the concern. Start with using products that have gentle ingredients targeted to treat acne scars like Niacinamide, Salicylic acid, and Vitamin C.
Niacinamide is one of the best and most gentle ingredients to get rid of acne scars as it helps to reduce irritation and sensitivity caused by breakouts and sebum as well. You can use a niacinamide based product such as the Latte Coffee Sleeping Mask.
Vitamin C is anti-inflammatory and has great antioxidant properties that can help you in acne scar removal. One such great Vitamin C based skincare product is this Green Tea Detox Kit that has the goodness of both green tea and Vitamin C that soothes skin and fights free radicals.
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