How to achieve the finest results in ACNE SCARS with amazing tips

Acne is a common skin disease or a skin condition that affects around 9.3% of the world population. Almost all of us are affected by acne at some point in our lifetime.

In this article we will be focusing on the following points:

What are the acne scars?

In acne, skin involves oil glands at the base of the hair follicle that is the base for many inflammatory and non-inflammatory skin lesions, like pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, cysts and pustules.

Acne scars are the results of the inflamed blemishes caused by dead skin cells, bacteria and excess of the oil that is clogged in the pores of the skin. The follicle wall breaks due to the swelling in the pore. The infected material can leak out of the pore to the surrounding tissue if there is a deep break in the wall of the pore.

The skin starts to form new collagen fibres to repair the lesions. But the repair done is not as flawless and smooth like the original skin.

Types of acne scars

Acne can be mild, moderate, or severe. Acne can be painful, can cause pus-filled bumps, under the skin's surface. Mild acne causes blackheads and whiteheads with or without pustules or red bumps but moderate acne causes pus-filled pimples and red bumps. Permanent scars develop only when you squeeze or pick at your acne instead of allowing it to heal or treating it.

There are different types of scars

Hypertrophic and keloid scars

Hypertrophic scars develop when the scar tissue builds up from the preceding acne spots. Also, these are formed as raised lumps of the scar tissue. These scars are of the same size as the acne caused them but keloid scars are larger than the acne and keloids scars can grow far off the sides of primary spot. Both these scars are common in the areas like jawline shoulders, chest and back.

Atrophic scars

These atrophic scars have shallow depressions, flat, and heals below the uppermost layer of the skin. These scars are caused by severe cystic acne. There are three types of atrophic scars:

• Boxcar scars

These types of acne scar are usually broad, sharply defined edges with box-like depressions. This is caused by widespread acne, varicella, a type of virus that causes a red and itchy rash with blisters. The lower cheeks, jaw and where the skin is relatively thick are the most common areas affected by boxcar scars.

• Rolling scars

These rolling scars vary in-depth and have sloping edges due to which the skin appears uneven and wavy.

• Ice pick scars

Ice pick scars have narrow depression that points down into the skin and is smaller in size. The scars are very difficult to treat and aggressive and persistent treatment is needed. These appear most commonly on the cheeks.

Causes of acne

It occurs when sebaceous/oil glands attached to the hair follicles are stimulated due to hormonal changes or due to puberty. Sebum (oil), a natural substance that lubricates and protects the surface of the skin. Skin cells mature in association with the increased oil production, inducing them to plug the pore of the hair follicle. This plug can appear as a whitehead, and when exposed to the air, it becomes darker and is called a blackhead.

A bump is produced when the plugged hair follicle is enlarged. The enlargement of the follicles may rupture the walls that allow normal skin bacteria and other irritating substances to enter deeper into the skin, ultimately producing inflammation.

Risk factors:

• Genetic susceptibility
• Hormonal changes
• Anxiety and stress
• Using oil-based makeup
• Inadequate water intake
• Hot and humid climate
• Smoking and alcohol consumption

Home remedies for acne scars

• Honey and lemon juice

Honey is said to have antiseptic for the body and skin. It helps in reducing the pimple marks fasters and also contributes to the body's healing process. It is one of the best methods to moisturize the skin naturally and it also prevents the production of excess sebum. It also removes the dead skin cells present in the clogged pores.

As we all know, lemon is acidic and possesses antibacterial properties. This property relieves the skin from excess oil and also fights bacteria.

• Aloe vera

Aloe vera is an admired home remedy that soothes the skin, Aloe vera is most commonly used to heal minor cuts, sunburn and rashes due to its antiseptic and anti inflammatory properties.. It is equally effective in the treatment of acne. Aloin which is the active ingredient, present in aloe vera that reduces the hyperpigmentation in pimple scars. It works by reducing the overproduction of melanin (skin-dark pigment) that makes the pimple marks more visible.

• Tea tree oil

Essential oils help in reducing the appearance of marks by regenerating the cells of the damaged skin. Some of the essentials also have wound healing properties, that prevents marks or scar-forming tissue.

One can use a single or combination of essential oils to reduce the marks caused by pimple marks. Carrot seed oil, coconut oil, and cedarwood are some of the essential oils.

• Multani mitti

Multani mitti is used to treat many skin problems and one of them is acne scars. It is a rich source of magnesium chloride and helps to prevent breakouts and also fights acne. It also gets rid of the excess of the oil and the exfoliating property of Multani mitti helps to remove the dead skin cells preventing the pores from getting clogged. It not only treats acne but also treats acne scars.

The skin lightening properties of Multani mitti helps to fade the acne scars and skin pigmentation that results from acne.

Some other acne treatment tips:

• Combining a teaspoon of baking soda with apple cider vinegar and water and applying the paste to the affected area is one of the effective methods to lighten the acne scars.
• Both salicylic acid and lactic acid are also good for acne scars. Lactic acid fades the dark pimple marks whereas salicylic acid loosens the dirt from pores.
• Chemical peels, punch excision, laser resurfacing are some of the  methods used by dermatologists in severe cases.

There are many other treatments available that can make acne scars less visible. Preventing the acne scar in the first place is the best way to treat the scar. You can also use vitamin c serum to reduce the acne scar. Read more about it.

If you break out the acne less, there are very fewer chances of developing acne scars. So squeezing, popping, picking should be avoided.

Learn more ways for the treatment of acne scar.