Acne is one of the common skin conditions that leave sometimes stubborn scars, which can be frustrating. Understanding how acne scars form and what would be the best ways to prevent and get rid of them makes a big difference in achieving clear skin. This blog presents some proven ways to prevent and treat acne scars, as well as practical tips on keeping your skin at its best.
Types of Acne Scars
Lets first start by understanding the types of acne!
1. Atrophic scars: These are sunken scars due to tissue loss. They can be classified into:
- Ice pick scars: These are very long and narrow, and deep scars:
- Boxcar scars: These are wide, shallow pits.
- Rolling scars: These are wavy pits on the skin surface.
2. Hypertrophic scars: These scars can look like bumps due to raised tissue buildup.
3. Keloid scars: It is the same as hypertrophic scars but larger than those from the original acne site.
Prevention of Acne Scar
The best thing to do with acne scars is to prevent them from appearing in the first place. Here are some ways of reducing the chances:
- Treatment of Acne Initially
Treated on time, the acne will not trigger severe ones, which may scar easily. Topical treatments containing salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or retinoids help soothe the inflammation of acne, thus controlling breakouts.
- Do Not Pick or Squeeze Acne
One of the most important steps in the prevention of scarring is resisting the urge to pick on or pop acne lesions. These tend to cause more damage to the skin than they already have, thereby potentially leading to scarring.
- Apply Sunscreen
The sun’s rays can cause hyperpigmentation and prolong the healing process, and acne scars become deeper. A wide-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 30 or greater will reduce skin damage from UV and enhance healing.
- Moisturize Often
Moisture heals better. An occlusive moisturizer that is non-comedogenic means that it will not clog pores, leaving the skin hydrated, while decreasing the severity of acne scars.
Treatment of Acne Scars
If you already have acne scars on your face, don’t worry yet. There are a lot of treatment options that can reduce your acne scars:
- Topical Treatments
– Retinoids: These chemicals stimulate the growth of cells, which results in new, healthy skin. They are very effective for the treatment of atrophic scars.
– Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs): AHAs are beneficial to exfoliate the skin by breaking dead cells and giving way to new, healthy skin. It helps mild acne scars.
– Salicylic acid: It is used in the treatment of most types of acne as it unblock pores and exfoliates. Salicylic acid is applied on all sorts of scars.
- Chemical Peels
This treatment removes the outer layer of skin using a solution. This is quite effective for superficial scars, but not that so for ice pick scars or other deeper scars.
- Laser Treatment
One of the most adopted treatments that remove scars is laser treatment. It removes the outer layer of the skin or stimulates collagen on the deeper part in order to smooth out the deeper scars.
The types of laser procedures are:
– Ablative lasers
– Non-ablative lasers
The ablative lasers are those that remove the outer layer of the skin and can be used to treat deeper scars. On the contrary, non-ablative lasers work upon the under-lying layer of the skin and initiate a collagen, thereby ensuring its growth without damaging the outer layer.
- Microneedling
The process involves the making of fine holes in the skin using an instrument, which helps initiate the production of collagen and hence smoothes out the skin texture. It is one of the more effective treatments for atrophic scars and takes very little time.
- Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers can be used to inject the atrophic scars in order to temporarily thicken the skin and fill the pits. Results are immediate but generally must be maintained over time.
- Surgery
Sometimes deep and severe acne scar need surgical interventions. These include punch excision or subcision, where scar tissue is removed or left intact to flatten and smooth the skin out.
Natural Acne Scar Remedies
Natural remedies which can help with prevention and treatment at much cheaper cost and at your convenience.
- Aloe vera. This ingredient is healing. It is effective in reducing redness and healing scars.
- Honey: Honey has antibacterial properties which can be used as an accelerator for soothing inflamed skin and promoting healing.
- Lemon Juice: It is a natural bleacher. Lemon juice lightens acne dark spots but irritates the skin in some people, use it very carefully.
Final Thoughts
We can prevent and treat acne scar by combining professional treatments with taking good care of our skin. First, treat acne early; don’t scratch your skin, and have a consistent skin care routine, which should include sunscreen. Seek the advice of a dermatologist for professional guidance on the best treatment options for your skin type and the severity of your scars.
So, follow all these detailed guidelines to avoid the development of any new scars and minimize the manifestation of old scars so that skin becomes smoother and healthier-looking with passage of time.
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. WellBeans does not claim responsibility for this information.
References:
– https://www.healthline.com/health/acne-scars
– https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324784
–https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acne/expert-answers/acne-scars/faq-20058101
