How to get rid of acne scars

woman with acne scars
By Ash 1st March 2021 Category: Advice
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If you suffer from acne, then you’re probably already aware that it’s not just the sore, red acne spots that you need to be aware of and treat, it’s also the unwelcome marks that you’re left with after they have cleared. 

But why do these acne scars occur, how long do they last for and what are your treatment options?

Acne scars are not only a frustrating reminder of your breakouts, but they can also lead to embarrassment and poor self esteem. However, we are here to reassure you that they are not something that you need to put up with unnecessarily! Thanks to a range of acne scar treatments, you can reveal skin that is smoother and brighter.

If you’ve ever wondered how to get rid of acne scars and how you can treat acne scarring, read on to find out some tips for how to reduce their appearance in our latest blog.

What are acne scars?

Did you know that around one in five people are left with some pigmentation and scarring after their acne has cleared?

Acne scars are the marks that you are left with after an inflammatory acne spot such as a cyst or nodule has cleared. They usually form in the dermis (the second layer of your skin) and can either appear as deep acne scars or red and brown acne scars. 

They are typically caused as a result of excess collagen build-up in the skin as the body tries to heal itself, and may be more commonly experienced if you have touched or squeezed your spots.

Depending on the type and severity of acne, the risk of scarring may be higher or lower, with cystic acne presenting the highest risk for developing scars.

acne scarring risk chart

Are acne scars permanent?

In terms of researching how to get rid of old acne scars, you may be wondering whether acne scars are permanent or not.

Unfortunately, if left untreated, then acne scars can be permanent in some cases.  Therefore, we recommend that if you start to notice acne scars occurring, you should look into having them treated as soon as possible.

Types of acne scars

As we have already learned, acne scars form as part of your skin’s natural healing process.types of acne scars

There are three main types of acne scars, which include:

1. Boxcar scars – appear as craters in the skin.

boxcar acne scars

2. Ice pick scars – appear as small deep holes.

icepick acne scars

3. Rolling scars – appear as uneven skin.

boxcar and rolling acne scars

 

How to get rid of acne scars at home

When it comes to finding out how to get rid of acne scars naturally, you may be interested to know what your options are for treating them at home as a first option before you seek specialist help.

If you would like to explore some remedies that you can try at home, here are some skin care treatment options for you to consider:

  • Salicylic acid

This naturally occurring beta hydroxy acid (BHA) not only helps to clear your pores of dirt, skin cells, and other debris that can cause acne, but it can also help to reduce any redness and swelling, and even minimise the appearance of acne scarring too.

If you suffer from acne and acne scarring, then it may be worth you adding salicylic acid to your every day skin care routine.

skn anti blemish spot treatment

sk:n Intense Blemish Lotion with Salicylic Acid (30ml)

  • Lactic acid

If you’re interested in exploring a chemical peel treatment but would like to test how well your skin reacts first, then it may be worth you trying lactic acid.

This gentle alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) can help to smooth your skin’s texture by removing dead skin cells and lightening scar tissue that is dark.

  • Coconut oil and lemon juice

These are two natural home remedies that some people choose to use to treat their acne scars, however, the research behind their effectiveness has been inconclusive. 

Acne scars treatment

Although you may be looking to find out how to get rid of acne scars at home, you may also be interested to know that seeing a dermatologist is always the safest and most efficient way to treat them.

When you visit a specialist clinic,  a chemical peel may be recommended to treat your acne scars. These peels use naturally occurring acids to exfoliate and brighten the skin. During your appointment, your dermatologist will be able to recommend a type of chemical peel that is most suitable for your scarring, skin type and acne severity.

In addition, they may also suggest microneedling (where small needles cause tiny punctures in the skin in order to renew cells and encourage the production of collagen) or laser treatment (where beams of thermal energy help to stimulate your body’s natural healing process).

How to prevent acne scars

Want to know to get rid of acne scars fast or how to prevent them in the first place?

The best tip that we can give you to avoid acne scars occurring is to make sure that you don’t pick any of your acne spots – this is very important!

Although it may be tempting and you may think this will help your acne to clear more quickly, it may actually have the opposite effect and cause more damage to the skin in the long term.

Key takeaways

Even though you may feel self conscious about your acne scars, they needn’t be something that you live with and they don’t have to be permanent either.

There are a range of treatment options available for you to treat your acne scars, either at home or in a specialist skin clinic, which can promote healing and reduce their appearance.

At sk:n, our dermatologists recommend at least a course of acne treatment alongside skin care products to get the best results for your skin. 

Find your nearest clinic and book an appointment today!

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