How they occur, how to prevent them and how to treat them
Acne scars usually result from inflamed blemishes caused by skin pores that have filled with excess oil, dead skin cells and bacteria. What happens? Well, the pore swells, then causes a break in the follicle wall, with shallow lesions being more mild and able to heal more readily. However, when there is a deep break in the pore wall, infected material can spill out into surrounding tissue and thus create deeper lesions.
Your skin’s natural reaction is to repair those lesions by forming new collagen fibers, which aren’t as smooth and flawless as the original, surrounding skin, according to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.
There are two types of acne scars:
- • Hypertrophic or keloid: Caused when the body produces too much collagen as the wounds heal, characterized by a mass of raised tissue.
- • Atrophic or depressed: Develop when there is a loss of tissue. “Icepick” scars are small holes in the skin, while “Boxcar” scars are depressed areas that are circular or oval in shape with steeply-angled sides (similar in appearance to chickenpox scars).
While you can’t prevent all break-outs, there are some things you can do to promote healthy skin.
- • Wash your face twice a day. Use warm water and a mild soap to wash in the morning, at night and after a work-out.
- • Don’t squeeze or pick at pimples, as this can lead to scarring.
- • Avoid the sun. If you do have to go out, wear sunscreen. UV rays damage your skin and increase the appearance of acne and scars.
- • Use topical acne medications that include benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
- • See a dermatologist to treat severe acne. Your doctor can prescribe oral antibiotics, prescription-strength topical creams or cortisone injections to rid your face of acne and thus prevent further scarring.
- • Use silicone gels like Scarfade to lessen the appearance of scars. This topical treatment helps to reduce scarring on the skin thanks to silicone that helps the body slow down production of collagen.
If you already have scarring from acne, first see a dermatologist before starting any treatment. You don’t want to make the situation worse. Your doctor can recommend the safest and most effective treatment available that can diminish standard acne scars and reduce raised ones.
While there are many treatments for acne, such as oral antibiotics, laser treatments, minor skin surgeries, chemical peels, and fillers, the most non-invasive treatment is silicone scar gel such as Scarfade. Use it just twice a day, massaging it in gently, to result in less noticeable acne scars over time.
As we age, acne scars often become more noticeable. That’s because our skin naturally loses collagen. It’s important to clear your acne, as new acne breakouts can lead to new acne scars. When you break out, this means your skin is inflamed, and inflammation reduces the effectiveness of treatment for acne scars.
Pick up a tube or two of Scarfade today and get ready to see some results!