Acne usually goes away once you hit adulthood, but some people continue to struggle with this problem long after their last breakout is over. Their skin reacts to inflammation by releasing color from affected skin cells, resulting in visible blemishes and raised or depressed skin known as acne scars.
Research shows that up to 95% of acne patients experience some degree of acne scarring in the aftermath of a breakout. While acne scars aren’t dangerous, they can be unsightly and make you feel self-conscious about your skin and appearance.
In this article, we will discuss different types of scarring and explain how to get rid of acne scars at home.
What Types of Acne Scars Are There?
There are two main types of acne scars – raised and depressed.
Raised scars (also known as hypertrophic) form when there is too much collagen in the affected skin cells during the healing process. As the name suggests, their surface is slightly raised from the surrounding skin. This type of scarring is most commonly found on the back and on the chest.
Depressed scars (also known as atrophic) are the exact opposite – they form due to a lack of collagen in the affected cells, and their surface is slightly lower than that of the surrounding skin. Most commonly found on the face, depressed scars can appear in three forms – ice pick, rolling, and boxcar scars.
The V-shaped ice pick scars appear very small on the surface, but they can go very deep into the skin, which is why they are usually the most difficult to treat. Rolling scars are wide with rounded edges, while boxcar scars have sharp edges and a characteristic U-shape. The depth of boxcar scars can vary, but they’re typically easier to treat the shallower they are.
Acne can also leave dark or discolored spots on your skin. The brown, red, or purple marks that appear on your skin after a pimple has disappeared are known as macules. They are not considered scars because they tend to fade on their own within a few months at most. Skin discoloration (known as hyperpigmentation) can also persist for months, but it too will fade on its own as the skin heals.
How to Get Rid of Acne Scars at Home: 5 At-Home Treatments
If you’re looking for the most effective at-home treatment to remove acne scars, take a look at the five outlined below. Consult with your dermatologist before starting any of these treatments to make sure the spots on your skin are really acne scars and not some other skin condition with similar symptoms.
1. Salicylic Acid
In addition to being one of the standard treatments for acne, salicylic acid can also be used to treat acne scars. As a matter of fact, research shows that it’s one of the best available treatments due to its ability to exfoliate the skin, clear pores, and reduce swelling. Suitable for all types of acne scarring, salicylic acid is available in a number of creams, lotions, pads, and face cleanser that you can buy over the counter.
With salicylic acid, acne scarring typically reduces after a few weeks of daily use. Because of its immense strength, people with sensitive skin may need to apply it less often (e.g. every other day). Also, if you have dry skin, this might not be the best choice as it could dry your skin even further and cause irritation.
2. Lactic Acid
A 2010 study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that performing a lactic acid peel twice a month over a period of three months could dramatically improve the appearance, texture, and color of the area of skin affected by acne scarring. Another treatment suitable for all types of acne scars, lactic acid can be found in many serums, ointment, and peels available in your local pharmacy.
Apple cider vinegar is naturally rich in lactic acid, so you can also use it to reduce acne scarring. To do so, mix two parts water with one part apple cider vinegar and use a cotton ball to apply the mixture to the scar that you want to treat. Wait up to 60 seconds (20 seconds if you feel a slight burning sensation on the skin) and then rinse your face with water and pat it dry.
3. Alpha Hydroxy Acids
Like salicylic acid, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are commonly found in anti-acne products. These acids have the ability to remove dead cells from the surface of the skin, thus opening up clogged pores. In addition, AHAs exfoliate and smoothen the top layer of the skin and help maintain its natural color.
AHAs are also an effective treatment against all types of skin blemishes, including liver spots, sun spots, and skin discoloration. The two best known AHAs are glycolic acid (derived from sugar cane) and citric acid (from lemons and other citrus fruits), which are found in many readily available skincare products.
4. Retinoids
Commonly used to reduce acne breakouts, retinoids are also a particularly effective treatment for acne scar-smoothing and removal. According to a 2017 review published in the journal Dermatology and Therapy, retinoids speed up the regeneration of damaged skin cells, thus improving skin texture. In addition, they can reverse skin discoloration and noticeably remove post-breakout acne scarring.
Retinoids are best-suited for the treatment of depressed acne scars. They are available over the counter in the form of creams and serums, but your dermatologist can also prescribe your products with higher concentrations of these potent ingredients. Keep in mind that the use of retinoids will temporarily make your skin more susceptible to sun damage, so make sure to put on sunscreen before going out.
5. Dermarolling
You may have heard of microneedling, an in-office procedure that involves the rolling of hundreds of small acupuncture-like needles onto the surface of the skin. The needles create tiny, barely visible holes and trigger a healing process to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin in your skin cells. This, in turn, helps smooth out wrinkles, reduce skin discoloration, and improve the texture of acne scars.
With the release of several DIY derma-rollers, microneedling (often referred to as dermarolling, hence the name) can now be done at home. To ensure safety, doctors recommend that you only use FDA-approved products. Consulting with your dermatologist about the best product and frequency of use for your case and skin type will also help ensure that you don’t overtreat your skin with derma-rollers.
A Final Word
While all these treatments are proven to be effective, you should always consult with your dermatologist before starting any of them. The dermatologist will look at your skin to pinpoint the exact cause of your problems and recommend the best treatment to get rid of your acne scars.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4295858/
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/drp/2010/893080/
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1473-2165.2010.00513.x
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs13555-017-0185-2
https://aestheticsjournal.com/news/skinpen-precision-receives-fda-approval
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