Can You Make Acne Scars Go Away – Minimalist Health Expert Medically Reviewed – Posted by Mahek Chawla (Dietitian & Nutritionist) on September 18, 2020
Are you terrified of acne, breakouts, or zits? Well, even more so, because they leave scars, stains or marks to remind us of canceled plans. Scientifically, there are many reasons why acne scars or appears in the first place, but today we want to look at the most common reasons.
Can You Make Acne Scars Go Away
All of the above reasons may seem unfamiliar, but these are the most common reasons you will hear after visiting a dermatologist. Acne or post-acne scars are not limited to them, but depend on several factors and their damage. With extensive research and knowledge, dermatologists and estheticians have classified acne scars. Scars occur at the site of tissue damage and can be atrophic (loss of tissue) or hypertrophic (excess tissue). Atrophic scars are more common than other types. They are divided into three types, but have a common mechanism, which is a lack of collagen that leads to a pit. For the reasons mentioned above, hypertrophic scars are rare and affect only the injured area. It is characterized by excessive deposition of collagen and a raised appearance. Acne scars that are usually treated with active ingredients or chemical peels or clinical procedures are atrophic.
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These are deeply rooted vertically into the epithelial tissue with a V-shaped surface appearance. Due to the depth of damage they cause, it is difficult to treat.
Carriage scars are round to oval pits with sharply demarcated vertical edges. They are clinically wider on the surface than ice scars and do not taper to a point at the base. They are shallow, so they are easier to treat.
They are caused by a dermal attachment of relatively normal-looking skin and are usually larger than 4-5 mm. Abnormal fibrous attachment of the dermis to the subcutis results in superficial shadowing and a rolling or wavy appearance on the skin. The scar is shallower than the carriage and is usually treated with fillers to regenerate the tissue. A detailed study gives the above description of scars, the condition or severity may vary from person to person. Most importantly, there is a lot of confusion between acne scars and acne scars. Before going into the treatment of any of them, we need to know the difference between them. An acne scar is a loss of tissue after acne or a visible damaged surface caused by very severe acne or breakouts. Red, painful or cystic acne usually leaves a scar. Also, many physical extractions or dermabrasions cause scarring for those with acne breakouts. Although there are several products or treatments available, it requires complex and well-prepared treatments such as dermal fillers and lasers. Acne marks are spontaneous blemishes or patches that are usually caused by inflammation and are called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or PIH. They appear flat on the surface in brown, red or purple colors and are not permanent if taken care of. They often disappear after a while, and if not, can be treated with anti-pigmentation ingredients to lighten and eventually eliminate the spots. There are certain ingredients to look for in products for acne scars. Some of them were part of the daily work of skin practitioners. Their effectiveness has also been scientifically proven. To make it easier to get your hands on any of these, we’ve divided them into two categories: over-the-counter (OTC) products recommended by experts and home remedies or natural ingredients.
Azelaic acid (AzA) is a saturated 9-carbon carboxylic acid obtained from the fungus Pityrosporum ovale and is found in rye, wheat and barley. This tool has the least effect on abnormal and highly active melanocytes. Studies have proven its significant effectiveness for hypopigmentation in melasma and PIH. Its mechanism of action inhibits the synthesis of various enzymes and DNA in damaged tissues.
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Kojic acid (KA) is a metabolic product of Acetobacter, Aspergillus and Penicillium fungal species. It acts as a scavenger of ROS, exhibits antioxidant properties and inhibits tyrosinase. KA is used in several cosmetic skin lightening agents and is also used as a food additive to prevent tanning. Studies show that it is as effective as hydroquinone in reducing dark spots and hyperpigmentation. It affects irregular facial pigmentation, facial dyschromia, etc. It can be obtained from various fermented products, which usually contain bacteria such as wine, rice, soy sauce, kefir, etc.
Ascorbic acid (AA; vitamin C) is an acidic, hydrophilic (water-loving) antioxidant commonly found in citrus fruits and serves as a cofactor for several human enzymatic processes. AA plays an important role in wound healing, catecholamine (antioxidant) synthesis, tyrosine (enzyme) breakdown, bile acid synthesis, iron absorption, neurotransmitter synthesis, and immune system function. The depigmentation mechanism of ascorbic acid involves free radical scavenging, collagen synthesis, oxidant formation, and nitric oxide production. Ascorbic acid has been shown to successfully treat severe melasma, bilateral epidermal melasma, and PIH. Its power is known for its multi-purpose role and superfood for the skin, and is included in many high-end skin care foundations. In addition to the acids mentioned above, there are several other options in natural sources such as ellagic acid, curcumin (turmeric), aloesin (aloe vera), which have shown their effect, but pure or with constant use of concentrated sources.
Glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid, soluble in alcohol, derived from fruit and milk sugar. Glycolic acid works by thinning the cornea, stimulating epidermolysis (the loosening of the dermis) and dispersing the innermost (basal) layer of melanin. Increases dermal hyaluronic acid and collagen gene expression. These actions will eventually heal acne and scars from the inside. This acid is well tolerated and has shown significant skin improvement. As a precaution, it is also included in many daily facial cleansers, serums or blemish treatment creams. You will often see this name on masks used in clinics.
Salicylic acid is one of the best exfoliants for treating acne scars. It is a beta hydroxy acid agent that removes intracellular lipids covalently bound to the hardened or cornified envelope surrounding the cornified epithelial cells. Thus, it reduces scar tissue damage, redness, acne and significantly removes dirt from pores. The most effective concentration for acne scars is 30% in several sessions, 3-5 times, every 3-4 weeks. Side effects of salicylic acid peeling are mild and temporary. These include erythema and dryness. Permanent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or scarring is extremely rare and is therefore used to treat darkened skin.
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Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that causes corneocyte detachment and subsequent desquamation (peeling) of the cornea. In layman’s terms, this means the shedding of hardened keratinized cells, which causes shine. This happens due to the effect of such AHA and the destruction of the outermost layer of dead cells. Thus, it improves the texture of the skin and cleans the surface.
All of these active ingredients stimulate cell turnover, thus making your skin more susceptible to sunburn. Always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher when using them. (Minimalist experts advise to always use sunscreen, even if you don’t use these ingredients, they make acne scars worse) They are safe to use at home and should be started gradually with higher concentrations depending on the skin’s tolerance level. That being said, there are other treatments to get rid of stubborn scars that are physical and require the trust of a doctor or trained person. These include physical procedures such as dermabrasion, fillers, fractional CO2, laser, skin grafting and stamping techniques. Such methods are used for very stubborn or hypertrophic scars. The treatment may or may not provide a completely satisfactory appearance, but it will cure the problem to a large extent. Hyaluronic acid and retinoid fillers are popular for their claims of quick scar repair, but there is little or no research to support these claims. Undoubtedly, they are very effective in treating acne. Always consult a dermatologist before trying any physical treatments or fillers, because while they may show results at first, they are usually short-lived because they do not treat the underlying cause.
We all know that the main action to keep scars and marks at bay is to fight or treat acne in the first place. How can you do this…
There are many synthetic and natural products on the market. Always do a patch test on less sensitive areas like the arms or neck before testing your face. Also, as the Chinese proverb says, “Knowing your enemies is half the battle won,” so know your problems before choosing any ingredient. That being said, while deep-rooted issues may not be a quick fix, always take care and be patient while your skin heals on its own. Anyone who has really struggled with acne knows how frustrating pimples can be. For some, it doesn’t seem like it
