How can you say Goodbye to Acne Scars Permanently?

Everybody faces acne problems at some point in their lives. It is a normal phenomenon. But what is not normal is acne scars. These scars can be troublesome. They can reduce your self-esteem. Let’s face it; nobody likes these scars. Why? The reason is that they remind you of an unwanted and troublesome condition from your past. If you have an acne scar, you would know how embarrassing it can sometimes be. Most of the time, you don’t feel like going out and meet people. Having an acne scar is a curse. So what can you do about it? Is there any way to get rid of this unwanted guest? Well, there is. There are many effective ways to get rid of these scars. In this article, we will talk about that in detail.

What are Acne Scars, and how to eliminate them?

When you have severe acne, your skin tissues take a lot of damage. In such cases, acne cysts are a common phenomenon. These acne cysts are filled with pus and damage the skin tissue beyond healing. So as a result, they do not heal naturally even when the cyst is gone. Thus, that particular area of your skin gets indentation marks or scars. These scars are known as acne scars. You can treat these scars using various methods. But before that, let us discuss the types of these scars.

Types of acne scars

Knowing which type of acne scar you have is essential before starting the treatment. It can help you choose the right treatment for you. Here’s a list of these types:

Atrophic scars

This type of scar is usually shallow and flat. It heals under the top layer of your skin. When you have severe acne, this type of scar occurs. Atrophic scar occurs mainly because of cystic acne. However, other acne types can cause this scar as well. Based on their shapes, there are three primary types of atrophic scars.

• Boxcar scars: These scars look like boxes. They are broad depressions with sharp edges. They occur due to pox, acne, and so on. They can form anywhere on your skin. But they usually form on your jaw and lower cheeks.
• Rolling scars: Rolling scars not consistent. They are often of varying depths and sizes. They also contain sloping edges. Thus, they make your skin look wavy.
• Ice pick scars: As its name implies, ice pick scars look like just that, ice picks. Unlike boxcar scars, ice pick scars are narrower. Plus, they are smaller than boxcar scars. These scars mainly form on your cheeks. Ice pick scars are very stubborn, to be honest. They are challenging to treat and take aggressive and long-term treatment to heal.

Hypertrophic and keloid scars

These scars are a little different from atrophic scars. They are tissue lumps that form over the area of your past acne. Hypertrophic scars’ size is the same as that acne. But keloid scars are not like that. They are larger than the acne that made them appear. They appear on your jawline, shoulders, chest, and back.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is not actually a scar. It occurs when the skin takes massive damage from acne. It can also occur if you tend to squeeze your acne too much. Such skin damage will heal over time. But you have to take proper precautions while going out in the sun. People with darker skin tones may experience it more than others.

How to treat acne scars effectively?

As we mentioned earlier, there are many effective ways to treat acne scars. Let us take a look at some of them.

Home remedies

When it comes to treating acne scars, home remedies are a viable option.

Retinoids

Topical retinoids are good for healing acne lesions. They can also treat damaged skin cells. In case you didn’t know, you can use them to prevent swelling of your skin. Thus, this product can make hyperpigmented skin lighter. However, it makes your skin sensitive to the sunrays. So don’t forget to wear your sunscreen before going outdoors.

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is beneficial in treating acne scars fast. It helps you get rid of inflammation and swelling. Also, it helps kick dirt and dead skin cells out of your pores. Thus, it heals scars effectively. One of the biggest advantages of this product is that it suits all skin types. However, it can make your skin dry. So if you have sensitive skin, proceed with caution.

Lactic acid

Lactic acid can kick out dead skin cells from your pores. It can heal your scars and even your skin texture. However, it can also cause some adverse side effects. So it is best to use it on a small area of skin before using it to treat acne scarring.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids

AHA or Alpha Hydroxy Acids can treat acne scars as well. Your dermatologist may recommend you to use AHA-based products to treat your scars. AHA removes dead skin cells from your pores and unclogs them. Therefore, it effectively reduces the appearance of your scars. It can also act as an exfoliator. So it reduces skin discoloration as well.

Natural remedies

Many people believe that natural remedies are also good for treating acne. But these methods are not scientifically proven. Some of them may cause adverse side effects. So be careful while using these products on your skin. Some of these natural remedies include coconut oil, aloe vera gel, honey, baking soda, lemon juice, etc.

Medical treatments

If the natural and home remedies don’t work for you, never hesitate to take medical help. Dermatologists are specially trained to resolve your skin problems. That includes acne scars too. Here are some of the best medical treatments available to treat your scars:

Chemical peels

Chemical peels can help you get rid of your acne scar fast. It can treat deep scarring and severe acne. TCA is a special type of chemical peel. According to a recent study, Trichloroacetic Acid or TCA improves almost 70% of acne scarring effectively. Other chemical peels may also help. However, there is no guarantee of their efficacy. For example, glycolic acid. It is also a chemical peel. But as the study reveals, it was futile for the 25% of volunteers who took part in the test. You may use different kinds of chemical peels to determine which one is the best for you.

Injections

In the case of hypertrophic or keloid scars, corticosteroids injections may be used. If you inject corticosteroids in your body, it can heal the inflamed tissue. So many dermatologists use this method. However, it may require you to take a series of injections to let this treatment work properly.

Microneedling

It is another effective medical procedure to remove your acne scars. It can be achieved by inserting small needles into the skin surrounding your scar. Microneedling stimulates your body so that it can make more collagen. Thus, it helps reduce your scars and even your skin texture. A 2017 review confirms that this procedure successfully reduced 31-62% appearance of scars. However, this method can cause some side effects like inflammation or swelling after the treatment. But don’t worry. They are temporary and will go away naturally after some time.

Dermal filler

Your dermatologist may recommend you to go for dermal filling if they think it is right. It works by filling your tissues with soft tissue fillers and reducing the scars. Dermatologists mostly use fillers with collagen. So if you are allergic to it, it’s not right for you. However, there is an alternative. Your own body fat can be used as well to fill your damaged skin tissue. Other commercial fillers include PMMA, HA, and PLLA. Dermal fillers are great for treating atrophic scars. But they are not a permanent solution. They last approximately 6-18 months. After they expire, talk to your dermatologist to know if you should repeat the treatment.

Laser treatments

Laser treatments are good in treating your acne scar, but it’s not suitable for all. If you have sensitive skin, you should not opt for laser treatment. But if you don’t, you can go for it. Laser treatment works by removing the topmost layer of your skin and revealing fresh skin cells under it. Thus, your skin looks younger and less scarred than before. However, its success entirely depends on your skin and scar types.

FAQ

How to get rid of acne scars?

An acne scar can be bothersome. It can lower your confidence and strip you off of your self-esteem. But fortunately, you can treat it. From home remedies to laser treatments, we have discussed various methods to remove your scars in this article. Do what works best for you.

How to remove acne scars?

Acne scars can hamper your life to a great extent. There are many ways to remove them. But not all of them work the same. We gave you a clear idea of the best methods to get rid of the pimple scars in this article. From home remedies to natural remedies to medical treatments, there are several effective methods to get rid of your acne scar. But their efficacy relies on your skin type and scar condition. Figure them out before starting any treatment.

How to get rid of acne scars fast?

There are multiple ways to get rid of your pimple scars fast, from Salicylic Acid to chemical peels. But it would be best if you remembered something. Do not make a wrong decision while trying to treat your acne scars hastily. You could end up making them worse instead of healing them. So be careful.

How to fade acne scars?

Fading such scars is no easy task. It takes your time and patience. Use any of the methods mentioned above in the article to fade your scars. However, it is recommended that you figure out your condition first.

How to heal acne scar?

Natural remedies, medical treatments, and even some home remedies can heal your acne scar. But you have to determine your skin and scar type first to choose the right treatment.

Conclusion

If you ever encounter acne scar problems, don’t panic. Be patient and take the right steps. Determine what your skin type is and the condition of your scar first. Then proceed with any of the methods mentioned in the article and see is the right treatment for you.