Do you feel self-conscious about your face because of the visible scars that acne has left behind? Well, you’re not alone! Although some people are lucky enough to get a pimple or acne breakout that goes away without leaving a scar, others are left with visible traces of previous breakouts, which can be very distressing.
Hence why people resolve to professional advice to get rid of the unwanted acne scars. One of the ideal procedures for this certain skin condition is a laser treatment for acne scars.Â
As if acne wasn’t bad enough, the scar(s) that it leaves behind will take weeks or months to disappear. And for a lot of people, it doesn’t go away. If you believe stubborn scars have no chance, you’re wrong.
Like what we mentioned above, acne scars are treatable with the help of an expert. But, if you have enough knowledge about acne and acne scarring, chances are you can avoid the scarring from occurring. Here’s what you need to know:
Why Do Acne Scars Occur?
Why do some people have acne marks but not others? Scarring can occur for a variety of causes, but one of them is genetics. If a blood relative has acne scarring, you might as well. Scarring is even more common as the skin lacks collagen as it ages.
Your skin develops new collagen when it heals following a breakout, and collagen is involved in the healing process. However, it may also contain too little or too much, leaving a scar.
Acne is an inflammatory disorder, so keep that in mind. The degree and length of skin inflammation play a big role in scar formation, so avoiding acne treatment increases the chance of scarring.
Acne scars are caused by an irregular and complex inflammatory response, which leads to slow wound healing.
Since scarring is a side effect of acne, someone who has a breakout will end up with either temporary or permanent scars.
On the other hand, scarring is most prevalent in people who have allergic acne, which is marked by multiple pimples.
Acne Scar Prevention
Optimizing acne medication with a healthy, safe diet, a successful skin-care routine, and an adequate treatment schedule is the safest way to avoid acne scarring. Don’t neglect an acne issue because reducing skin inflammation will help to reduce scarring.
OTC creams or facial cleansers containing active acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide should be used to cure acne. If these don’t function, see a dermatologist. In the first place, you should consult a skin specialist to know what and what not to do with your skin issues.
Topical retinoids including adapalene, tazarotene and tretinoin, which are widely used by dermatologists as part of an acne skin-care regimen, have been shown to help inhibit and reduce the development of acne wounds.
Preventing acne often entails treating the skin gently and eliminating activities that irritate it and cause inflammation.
Avoid popping and touching your acne, and stay away from abrasive skin-care items like scrubs and washcloths. Experts also recommend using sunscreen on a normal basis to prevent hyperpigmentation formation.
OTC Remedies for Acne Scarring
Acne scars may also be minimized, or the appearance may somehow improve with OTC or nonprescription drugs. Although dark spots may fade on their own over time, an over-the-counter medicated dark spot remover containing hydroquinone may make these scars fade more quickly.
Furthermore, alpha-hydroxy acid acne therapies can promote the development of new skin, reducing the persistence of old scars while also avoiding the production of new acne.
Look for ingredients that contain alpha-hydroxy acids, including glycolic acid and lactic acid, when searching for acne treatment.
Acne Scar Treatment Procedures
There’s still a lot more to do if you want to prevent acne scars. But if you want to get rid of them completely, you’ll need to seek professional help. Here are some of the most recommended acne scar treatments by skin experts:
- Dermal fillers: Some forms of acne wounds may be “filled out” with a fluid like hyaluronic acid (HA), collagen, or the patient’s fat. Since fillers gradually settle into your tissue, you’ll need to have them injected every few months again or so. Well, this entirely depends on the filler substance used and the scar’s severity.
- Microdermabrasion: This treatment is a procedure that exfoliates the skin. A dermatologist uses a portable instrument to strip surface skin in this less-intensive form of dermabrasion. There may be more than one treatment needed, but there is no downtime.
- Laser treatments: A laser resurfacing technique should be used by the dermatologist to strip the outer coating of the skin, contour acne marks, or lighten redness around healing acne lesions. Healing will take anywhere from three to ten days.
- Chemical peels: Chemical peels for acne scars involves the application of a chemical solution to the skin. It exfoliates the top surface layer of your skin, giving you a cleaner, more uniform complexion. For three to seven days after the operation, you can feel redness and peeling.
- Dermabrasion: This treatment is a method of removing dead skin cells. This successful scar reduction technique resurfaces the skin and removes or reduces the depth of wounds using a high-speed brush or other tools. The skin will take up to three weeks to recover.
I am Kate, a dedicated health advocate. My purpose is to educate you regarding the most current wellness trends, offer science-backed insights to enhance your understanding, and present actionable tips to support you on your journey towards a healthier and happier life. Let us commence this wellness path together!