The bad news: There is no secret ingredient or miracle gadget that makes scars disappear completely. Don’t be discouraged, though. Some of the best treatments for acne scars can significantly reduce discoloration and improve the texture of the skin that a blemish can leave behind.
Before we dive into the solutions, let’s understand acne scars thoroughly. To begin with, many defined cutaneous signs such as acne scars they are, in fact, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or erythema – brown or red spots – rather than a permanent change in skin texture. “Scarring and discoloration occur as a result of a skin breakdown, and in the case of acne, the breakdown is linked to excess sebum production, inflammation and bacteria,” says dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, based in New York City. When the skin tries to repair itself after a rash, it can leave a red, pink, or darker to brown mark, depending on the blemish and the person’s skin tone.
“The pimples we squeeze usually contain dead skin cells, sebum, bacteria, fluid and white blood cells,” says Boston-based dermatologist Papri Sarkar, MD. “All substances that occupy subcutaneous volume, which cause an extension of the skin and cause inflammation that can lead to the rupture of the pore in which they are located and of the surrounding skin”.
What are the different types of acne scars?
Because of its inflammatory and bacterial aspects, post-inflammatory acne hyperpigmentation is considered a category of its own in the world of discoloration and scarring: “This differs from sunspots or hyperpigmentation understood as a result of an increase in melanin. from exposure to UV rays and environmental stressors – [entrambi i quali possono] lead to free radical damage which can manifest as brown spots, ”explains Dr Sarkar.
If there has been too much deformation of the skin due to the original pimple, it can cause a scar that looks jagged. Or on the other end of the spectrum, as far as skin texture is concerned, “when the blemish heals a little too well, you can have additional excess skin forming a bump or raised scar,” says Dr. Sarkar “In both cases, acne scars cause a change in texture that leaves rather annoying swelling or thickening on the face.”
Acne scars are slightly different from skin change phenomena in pigmentation and thickness. Many people can have acne without any scab and without having a structural change: “The lesions that tend to form scars are the ones that are really inflamed or really large,” says Dr. Sarkar. The deepest, most painful acne bumps, which have a lot of content inside them, tend to be the ones that leave a mark or scab. “The worse the acne, the more likely the skin is to have acne scars,” adds Dr. Sakar.
What are the best treatments for acne scars?
Fortunately, there are a number of gels, creams, and treatments that can reduce pigmentation change and help acne scars, including formulas with retinoids, vitamin C, and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs).
“Retinoids, a derivative of vitamin A, help increase collagen, even skin tone and prevent future acne,” explains Dr. Sakar, “vitamin C is a lightening agent and an antioxidant, and it has been proven that it also builds collagen. The glycolic, lactic and mandelic acids help to regenerate the skin to even out its tone ».
Can acne scars be removed permanently?
Dr Garshick says the potential removal of acne scars typically depends on the type of scar and the extent of the scar: ‘For example, a slight discoloration can fade over time and can certainly be improved with topical treatments alone, while deep scars will not go away with [solo] topical products, ”he says.
It is best to approach acne scars with multiple different treatment modalities that address the problem from different angles, then consult a dermatologist to find the best regimen for each individual scar.
In addition to the aforementioned ingredients to add to your skincare regimen to reduce scars, Miami-based dermatologist Annie Gonzalez, MD cautions about what to avoid when treating acne scars. Stay away from alcohol-containing cleansers and tonics, he recommends, as they can dry out the skin and cause the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum to compensate, thus causing more acne and potentially scarring.
“It’s also important to note that using too many treatments at once, using extraction tools alone, and exfoliating excessively can make acne scars worse,” says Gonzalez. “Doing these things could cause inflammation, which can lead to a new acne outbreak. In addition, the skin can turn red, which can highlight the appearance of a pre-existing acne scar. ‘
So make a note of which ingredients to look for when selecting the treatments for acne scars and products recommended to reduce the marks left by pimples that we have collected in this gallery.
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