Acne is never a fun experience, but when the blemishes disappear, often they leave behind scars. While these scars may eventually fade on their own, there are steps you can take to speed up the healing process and reduce their appearance. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to prevent and treat acne scars. Keep reading for more information!
What is the cause of Acne Scars?
The inflammation of the skin causes acne scars. When the pores of the skin become clogged with dead skin cells, sebum, and bacteria, it can cause the surrounding area to become inflamed. This inflammation can damage the collagen and elastin in the skin, leading to a loss of supportive tissue and eventually, scars.
Two main types of Acne Scars
There are two main types of acne scars: hypertrophic and atrophic. Hypertrophic scars are raised and red, while atrophic scars are depressed and have lost collagen. Both types of scars can be treated with a variety of methods.
Acne scars are more common in people with darker skin because the inflammation associated with acne is more likely to lead to hyperpigmentation.
There are a few things you can do to prevent acne scars from forming in the first place:
- Use a gentle cleanser: Avoid scrubbing your skin too hard, which can irritate the skin and make acne worse. Instead, use a gentle cleanser to wash your face twice a day.
- Use an acne spot treatment: If you do get a pimple, apply an acne spot treatment as soon as possible. This will help to heal the pimple and prevent it from turning into a scar.
- Don’t pick or squeeze your pimples: It may be tempting to pop or pick at your pimples, but this can actually make them worse and lead to scars.
If you already have scars, there are a few things you can do to help improve their appearance:
- Use an exfoliating agent: Exfoliating agents help to remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. This can help to improve the appearance of scars and make them less noticeable.
- Use Several whitening creams: Whitening creams can help to lighten scars.
- Different laser and micro-needling procedures promote collagen production to improve the appearance of acne scars.
Conclusion:
Acne scars can be a source of insecurity for many people. If you’re one of the millions of people struggling with acne scars, know that you’re not alone and there are treatment options available to help improve the appearance of your skin.
Dermatologists have a variety of treatments at their disposal that can help reduce the appearance of acne scars. Here in Body Concepts Dermatology & Medical Clinic, we specialize in providing our patients with safe and effective acne scar treatment options. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and find out which treatment is right for you.