Acne Scars & How To Get Rid Of Them

Long after the teen years – here are our best tips to really get rid of facial scarring caused by acne.

As if pimples weren’t enough of a pain, the scars that they leave behind can cause permanent skin damage and discoloration.

BUT WHY?

Scars form because collagen fills in damaged skin areas in a column pattern that mimics the wound.

This collagen pulls the skin down and contracts it making it a different texture from the surrounding skin. Unfortunately, as you age, your skin loses its elasticity, and acne scars become even more noticeable.

DISCOLOURATION

If the scar is darker than your normal skin tone, you’re dealing with hyperpigmentation.

The acne damaged the skin cells, causing them to overproduce melanin.

There are several options for treating dark spots: laser or light treatments done by a professional, or topical retinoid creams to reduce melanin production (so the pigment decreases) and increase cell turnover (so you can slough off the discolored skin).

Lighter spots and scars (called hypo-pigmentation) are caused when healthy skin has been replaced with scar tissue.

Because scar tissue has a light pink color, it’s more noticeable on people with darker skin tones. Few treatments completely erase hypo-pigmentation, but chemical peels and laser resurfacing can be helpful in creating a more balanced skin tone.

MORE ABOUT LASER

For serious acne scarring from previous bouts of acne, laser resurfacing (done by a doctor or dermatologist) removes the damaged top layer of skin and tightens the middle layer, leaving skin smoother.

MICRO-NEEDLING

To break up the collagen in the scarred area, a series of micro-needling procedures (also done by a professional) can be very effective. The collagen then reforms in a different arrangement as the skin heals.

NATURAL REMEDIES

Apart from medical intervention, vitamins can help! Combining vitamin C serums with other brightening agents like iontophoresis can significantly decrease the appearance of scars caused by acne.

Including a collagen supplement in your regular routine can also help speed collagen formation and tissue repair to heal acne scars.

Your skin will become smoother and more hydrated to boot.

Coconut oil is said to help boost collagen production too.

Not only can it increase collagen in the skin (which helps reduce fine lines), but it also can minimize scarring by binding new skin tissue together.

In general though, while at-home treatments might help, severe acne scars will not go away without professional help.

Mums, do you have acne scars? Or did you have and there was something that you tried that worked?

Comment below to let us know x