Even as adults, waking up in the morning with an unattractive bump on our face is not fun. For some, it is more frequent than others. At least we know with acne as adults, ‘this too shall pass’. How long it takes to pass varies from person to person.

Depending on the type of breakout, it might only remain for a few days but some breakouts hang on for weeks, months, or even longer, and can leave behind a scar. Scars cause the skin to appear uneven and some people also complain of pain and inflammation. In any case, treatment is possible and should be a part of your breakout treatment. If you suffer from adult acne scars, keep reading.

The Science of Scars

Scars are usually caused by severe forms of acne such as nodules and cysts. Your tendency to scar depends on your unique inflammation response. Some people have a single-inflammatory response while others have a secondary-inflammatory response. The latter are more likely to be scared by a trauma, which in this case is an acne breakout. There are 3 major types of Acne Scars.

3 Major Types of Acne Scars:

⦁ Ice-Pick Scars – large, open pores
⦁ Box-car Scars – larger than Ice-pick Scars and are caused from inflammation and collagen destruction of the skin
⦁ Atrophic Scars – leave the skin looking pitted

Knowing your scars better – and which kind they are – can help you treat them more efficiently.

HOW TO ACHIEVE A FLAWLESS COMPLEXION + OVERCOME ACNE SCARS

4 EASY TREATMENTS

Off the Counter Creams With the Right Ingredients

There are a number of fade creams you can buy without a prescription. While each has a different formula to treat different forms of scars, Cortisone is one of the most common ingredients for most of them. It reduces inflammation and expedites cell regeneration.

Skin Lighteners Based on Natural Formula

Skin fading and skin lightening creams were once infamous for the use of carcinogens such as Hydroquinone. Today, they are usually formulated with natural ingredients such as Kojic acid, arbutin, and vitamin C. They can help lighten the skin where acne scars have made it appear dark.

Laser Skin Resurfacing to Increase Collagen

Many people may not benefit from the creams and topical solutions because their scars may be too stubborn. Laser resurfacing solutions are the most effective and the fastest treatment for such people. The treatment also enhances collagen production and works best to fill in pitted scars.

Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion

These treatments involve removing the upper and damaged layer of the skin to lighten the marks and scars. Dermabrasion is done with a special instrument after numbing the area. Microdermabrasion simply involves spraying tiny crystals on the skin to exfoliate the upper layer. Results vary but in most cases, it helps give a more smooth appearance to the skin.

Prevention and Precaution

Apart from treatment, there are several precautions you can take to make sure scarring is as minimal as possible:

⦁ Prevent Sun Damage – UV rays stimulate melanocytes and that can make the scar appear much darker. Avoid going out in the sun or wear a strong sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
⦁ Keep Your Hands Off – Picking and squeezing scars can increase inflammation and may push the bacteria further down the epidermis.
⦁ Avoid Experiments – Don’t listen to people telling you to use a combination of several chemicals. Most of these tips cause more harm than good.

Remember, if you happen to scar easily, your genetic makeup might have a lot to do with it. The proper treatment paired with taking precautionary measures can help you minimize the scarring. The key is to identify the kind of acne scars you have by seeking advice from a professional before you begin self-treatment and then finding out what will work best for future prevention.

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