Acne Scars Are a Pain! Here’s Everything You Need to Know about This Skin Issue

UncategorizedOctober 20, 2020

If you have had the urge to pop a pimple or to scrape off blemishes, you are not alone. Quashing these breakouts often feel satisfying but in reality, you are sabotaging your skin as this can lead to scarring.

Ann Patchanan/Shutterstock Maskne is a thing nowadays due to the prolonged wearing of face masks

Since the pandemic started, the public has been advised to wear masks when going out. For most of us who have been religiously following this protocol, we have known how maskne is real. We touch these breakouts in the hopes of banishing them but sadly, they only end up leaving a painful reminder.

Acne Scars

Acne scars refer to the marks that a breakout may leave. Dermatologist Joshua Zeichner explained that this happens because the skin sort of remembers that an inflammation happened at a specific spot (read: pimple area).

Inflammation will lead to the stimulation of pigment production and dilation of blood vessels, which are the reasons for the appearance of red and brown spots after the pimple healed. There are two categories of scars that can develop after the breakouts have been resolved.

Red and brown spots are often temporary and only develop after the inflammation, lasting from weeks to months. However, if the inflammation prompts collagen damage, it causes irreversible structural changes like scars.

The temporary brown and red spots are flat but scars are usually elevated or depressed. Although the permanent category is not impossible to treat, it surely will be a long and difficult battle.

Solution to the Problem

In order to avoid acne scarring, treat your breakouts as early as possible. In doing this, you are preventing serious inflammation, which can cause collagen damage.

Ivana P. Nikolic/Shutterstock Spot treatments aren’t usually targeting the bigger issue

Spot treatments act like catch-ups so those with acne-prone skin should treat the entire face. Those who suffer from cystic acne are more likely to experience scarring.

Seek help from your dermatologists to find out what course of action you need to take to reduce scarring and to address severe acne. Cortisone and isotretinoin injections can also ease the inflammation.

Home Remedies

The good news is that you don’t need to go to a salon to treat scars and pigmentation. There are available options you can choose from.

Puhhha/Shutterstock Vitamin C is effective in brightening dark spots

Retinoids can help treat acne scars and you’ll be glad to know that there are many ways you can incorporate them into your skincare game. There are topical ones that can work wonders on your breakouts, but those with sensitive skin should be careful in using this very potent product.

Vitamin C is another must-have, especially for those who want to reduce dark marks. This antioxidant has been known as an effective product to lighten marks and brighten spots.