Acne breakouts can be aggravating, and they can also leave scars on the face with a question that how to get rid of acne scars. Acne scars are an unwelcome reminder for some people of a painful and bothersome condition. Acne scars, on the other hand, are not permanent, as some home remedies and medical treatments can help get rid of them. Learn about various methods for reducing the appearance of acne scars and promoting healthy skin in this article.
What is Acne?
Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. It causes whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples. Acne is most common in teenagers, but it affects people of all ages.
Acne treatments are effective, but acne can be persistent. The pimples and bumps heal slowly, and when one begins to fade, others appear.
Acne, depending on its severity, can cause emotional distress as well as scarring of the skin. The sooner you begin treatment, the lower your risk of such complications.
Symptoms of Acne Scars
Acne is most commonly found on the face, forehead, chest, upper back, and shoulders. It’s symptoms vary according to the severity of your condition:
- Whiteheads (plugged pores that are closed)
- Blackheads (open plugged pores)
- Papules (small red, tender bumps)
- Pimples (pustules), which are papules with pus at their tips
- Under-skin lumps that are large, solid, and painful (nodules)
- Under-the-skin lumps that are painful and filled with pus (cystic lesions)
Causes of Acne Scars
Because these areas of skin have the most oil (sebaceous) glands, acne typically appears on the face, forehead, chest, upper back, and shoulders. Oil glands are linked to hair follicles. A whitehead can form if the follicle wall bulges. Alternatively, the plug may be exposed to the surface and darken, resulting in a blackhead. A blackhead may appear to be dirt stuck in the pores. However, the pore is clogged with bacteria and oil, which turns brown when exposed to air.
Pimples are brought up with red spots with a white center that form when blocked hair follicles become inflamed or bacterially infected. Blockages and inflammation deep within hair follicles result in cyst-like lumps beneath the skin’s surface. Other pores in your skin, which are sweat gland openings, aren’t usually involved in acne. Specially in winters the acne breakout happens. Moreover, Acne is caused by four major factors, which are as follows:
- Excessive production of oil (sebum)
- Hair follicles clogged by oil and dead skin cells
- Bacteria
- Inflammation
Acne can be triggered or worsened by the following factors:
1. Changes in Hormones
Androgens are hormones that increase during puberty in both boys and girls, causing the sebaceous glands to enlarge and produce more sebum. Hormonal changes in midlife, particularly in women, can also cause breakouts.
2. Specific Medications
Corticosteroid, testosterone, and lithium-containing medications are examples.
3. Diet
Certain foods, including carbohydrate-rich foods like bread, bagels, and chips, have been linked to acne flare-ups, according to research. More research is needed to determine whether people with acne would benefit from dietary restrictions.
4. Stress
Stress does not cause acne, but it can aggravate it if you already have it. You can consult a dermatologist for better known causes.
Myths and Facts about Acne
Now, let’s go over some acne myths and facts, because these factors have little to no effect on acne:
1. Chocolate and Fattening Foods
Chocolate and greasy foods have little to no effect on acne.
2. Hygiene
Acne is not caused by clogged pores. In fact, scrubbing the skin too hard or using harsh soaps or chemicals can irritate the skin and worsen acne.
3. Cosmetics
Cosmetics do not always make acne worse, especially if you use oil-free makeup that does not clog pores (noncomedogenic) and remove makeup on a regular basis. Non-oily cosmetics have no effect on the efficacy of acne medications.
Remedies for How to get rid of Acne Scars
Many over-the-counter remedies are available to help people manage their acne and reduce the appearance of scars.
1. Natural Treatments
Many people use natural remedies to treat acne scars, but the science behind them is murky. Some may cause additional irritation or other problems, so people should exercise caution when using them.
People have traditionally used the following home remedies to treat acne scars:
- Coconut oil
- Shea butter
- Aloe vera gel
- Raw honey
- Baking soda
- Lemon juice
2. Retinoids
Some topical retinoids may aid in the removal of acne scars. According to the authors of a review published in the journal Dermatology and Therapy Trusted Source, topical retinoids reduce inflammation, reduce acne lesions, and speed up cell regeneration.
Retinoids, according to the authors, may also help lighten hyperpigmented acne scars, including those in people with darker skin tones.
It should be noted that retinoids can make the skin more sensitive to the sun. When going outside, anyone who is using retinoids for acne or scar treatment should wear sunscreen.
3. The Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is known as a naturally occurring compound that is commonly used in acne treatment products. Salicylic acid helps in the removal of dirt, skin cells, and other debris from the pores of the skin, which contributes to acne.
It also helps to reduce swelling and redness in the area, which may aid in the appearance of scarring.
Salicylic acid is beneficial for all types of scars. Most acne sufferers will find it useful as part of their daily skin care routine.
People with sensitive skin should test a product containing this acid on a small area of skin first before applying it to their entire face, as it may cause dryness or irritation.
4. Lactic Acid
Lactic acid can be used as a gentle peel to remove dead skin cells. It may aid in the reduction of scars and the smoothing of the skin’s overall texture.
Lactic acid can also help in lightening of dark scar tissue, though it can sometimes cause hyperpigmentation. Because of this potential side effect, it is best to see lactic acid-containing substances on a small area of body before you go to use it for acne scarring.
Lactic acid is found in many acne-treatment products. It is also found in diluted apple cider vinegar, making it a more natural and cost-effective treatment.
5. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) can aid in the removal of dead skin cells and the prevention of clogged pores. AHAs may be prescribed by doctors to treat acne and reduce the appearance of acne scars.
AHAs are a type of mild acid that scrapes away the skin’s outer layer to reveal fresh, new skin beneath. This procedure may help with scarring-related discoloration.
6. Medical Treatments
There are many available medical treatments that can help to reduce acne scars. Depending on your acne scaring and skin type and the type of scarring, a dermatologist may recommend a variety of procedures. Acne scar treatment options include:
i. Injections
If a person has hypertrophic or keloid scars, corticosteroid injections may help with the treatment of raised acne scar tissue.
Typically, the treatment consists of a series of injections. A dermatologist can administer these injections in their office once every few weeks and track the results. Visit the best dermatologists for better information.
ii. Filler for the Skin
Soft tissue fillers may be recommended by dermatologists in some cases to reduce the appearance of scars.
Dermatologists may opt for a collagen-based filler, which may necessitate allergy testing. Alternatively, by removing fat from another part of the body for use as a substitute may be an option.
Dermal fillers are most effective for atrophic scars, but many are only temporary. Treatment typically lasts 6 to 18 months.
However, there are some permanent options that a person can discuss with their dermatologist.
iii. Microneedling
Microneedling is a procedure that involves inserting tiny needles into the skin surrounding a scar to stimulate the body’s production of collagen. By making the skin smooth, this collagen may help to reduce the appearance of acne scars.
In a 2017 study, micro-needling improved the appearance of acne scars by 31 to 62 percent.
However, microneedling can have unintended consequences. Many people experience redness, pain, and inflammation as a result of the treatment, but these side effects fade over time.
iv. Peels with Chemicals
A dermatologist can advise on the best type of peel for a person’s skin type, acne severity, and scarring.
The authors of a 2017 review on acne scarring treatments mention a study that found that six out of ten participants who used chemical peel called trichloroacetic acid (TCA) showed 70% improvement in their acne scarring.
Other chemical peels might be ineffective. For example, 25 percent of those who used glycolic acid did not see a reduction in the appearance of scars.
A person may need to experiment with different types of peels to find the one that works best for them.
v. Laser Therapy
Without the use of chemicals or scrubs, laser treatment resurfaces the skin. It removes the top layer of skin to expose the younger skin cells beneath, which can help to reduce the appearance of scarring.
However, laser treatment is not suitable for everyone because its success is largely dependent on a person’s acne scarring and skin type. Some people specially with sensitive skin can experience a reaction to the treatment.
Ending Notes
Most of the time, there isn’t a problem, and you can get better just by taking some supplements and medications. So don’t wait take a step for yourself at home and contact us for getting 50% off on acne scar treatment.
Book an appointment now, to answer all your queries. You can book an appointment with the top dermatologists in Pakistan through Marham by calling at Marham helpline: 0311-1222398.
FAQ’s
Is it possible to treat acne scars with ice?
Ice can be really helpful by reducing swelling, redness, and calming the inflammation, which will reduce the risk of scarring and post-inflammatory color change on the skin.
Is lemon useful for acne scars?
Unfortunately, lemon juice will not remove depressed or pitted acne scars or flatten raised scars.
How do you quickly fade scars?
Aloe vera, cocoa butter, Vitamin E, honey, and other hydrating materials are common ingredients in scar treatments.