Acnes can be simple breakouts at times which would heal soon but for other instances, they can be quite daunting or the damage may be absolutely severe. Upon experiencing damage, they leave scars on the face or simply any area they affect. Such marks may be alright to deal with some people, while for others, it might be a painful reminder of some of the conditions faced. People consider the scars to be permanent but they don’t have to be as they can be treated with some of the other kinds of remedies as per the types of scars developed. Home remedies or medical treatment are the best answer to such acne scars.
Types of acne scars
Before we get further deep in the selective treatment ways in which you can actually get rid of the scars, let’s discuss the types of acne scars there are and which is the one you are suffering with, as this would also get you a tad bit closer into finding the correct solution.
There are generally 2 types in which the acne scars are categorized into; they are atrophic scars (caused by the loss of tissue) and hypertrophic scars (caused by the excess of tissues).
The collective types of acne scars are 4:
1. Ice pick scars
Ice pick scars go deep into the dermis, resulting in deep and narrow scars. If you want to compare the looks and want to visualize how they look, then the skin feels more like kind of been pierced by ice or pick or rather a sharp instrument. The effect can be portrayed by small, thin and deep holes into the skin. On the contrary, some may even look like a wide-open pore.
The emergence of such scars is as a result of contact with infection from a cyst or other deep inflamed blemish, which finds its way to the surface of the skin. With all of this happening, it is the skin that is deeply affected, as the tissues present in the skin get destroyed, resulting in a long and column-like scar.
2. Boxcar scars
Boxcar scars have the look of round or oval depressions which are usually visualized with steep vertical sides. If you compare the damage and the look of the boxcar scars with that of the ice pick scars, boxcar scars are a lot wider, giving the skin an uneven and pitted impression.
The theory of the boxcar scars is related to the inflammatory breakout which destroys the collagen resulting in the loss of tissue. The area where the tissue is lost has no support any longer which then becomes a depressed area. The effect of damage to the skin or the severity directly depends upon the number of tissues lost.
3. Rolling acne scars
To visually impersonate these scars, just the way their names state, they are like rolling or waves. Scars are referred to be rolling if waves like depression are noticed in the normal skin. The damaged amount of skin rather looks uneven and craggy. It the differentiation is stated in between the boxcar scars and the rolling scars is stated, the rolling scars aren’t that sharply defined.
The reason for the damage isn’t the loss of tissues, rather when there is a build-up of fibrous bands of tissues in between the skin and subcutaneous tissues which is present below. The build-up hence results in the pull of epidermis and binding it together with the deeper structure of the skin. Now, as far as the rolling like appearance is concerned, it takes place because of the pull of epidermis from the insides and leaves the skin with rolling like impression.
4. Hypertrophic and keloid scars
Hypertrophic scars are developed rather above the surface of the skin. These scars are the result of the acne on the torso and are most often witnessed in men, but that doesn’t restrict them from affecting one area, as they can develop anywhere on the body. They are general after deep wound or trauma.
Keloids are yet severe and grow bigger than the original wound caused, as compared to the Hypertrophic scars. They spread deeper than the shape of the wounds and can grow further larger, even after the wound gets healed.
The cause of these scars is not of anything as discussed above, but the build-up of collagen. For the people affected by Keloids, their skin has no idea that the wound is healed and what is the condition of the skin, resulting in an increase in the production of collagen.
Remedies for acne scars
Now that you know of the scars you are experiencing, you may choose the remedies and know, how to get rid of acne scars. We will first be discussing the home remedies. Such remedies can be easily found and bought and the majority of them are capable of taking care of your scars by reducing their effect.
1. Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid can majorly be found in the skincare products which are meant for acne treatment. It is a naturally occurring compound that plays a major role in cleaning the dirt, skin cells and debris. These are the reason why acne emerges in the first place from within the pores of the skin. The pain caused as a result of swelling and redness from the affected area also can be reduced from this compound and the possibility of scaring minimizes too.
Salicylic acid is highly beneficial for everyone, irrespective of the type of acne acquired. It can be safely adopted as a daily skincare routine by the people who are the victim of acne scars and acne. But, if you have a skin type which is too prone to sensitivity, it is very well recommended for you to use salicylic acid or products with this compound somewhere on a tiny area of your skin, in order to test it. This way, if you would be allergic to it, you will feel dryness or irritation, which is a sign you mustn’t further use it on your face.
2. Retinoids
Retinoids, as claimed by most of the authors can actually play a role in getting rid of acne scars, the typical retinoids. They claim the topical retinoids puts a hold to inflammation, reduces acne lesions and facilitated the speedy generation of the cell. The claim stands true for the people with darker skin tones and it can be used to lighten the hyperpigmented acne scars.
It is though important to note that using this ingredient makes skin sensitive to skin and might cause complications, and hence it is recommended to wear sunscreen when outdoors.
3. Alpha hydroxy acids
This acid is greatly beneficial in getting rid of dead skin cells which are the result of the generation of clogged pores and uneven skin tones. This acid is highly recommended by doctors and suggested for the treatment of acne and to reduce the scars which are the result of acne breakouts.
AHAs are acids in a mild form that scraps the damaged layer of the skin, probably the outer layer to help new skin from underneath growing. If you face discoloration as a result of scarring, this process is highly efficient.
4. Lactic acids
Lactic acid can actually be used as a peel-off, which gently peels the dead skin cells away from the face. It plays a great role in reducing or lightening the scars and gives the skin a smooth texture, an overall texture.
This acid can help lighten dark scar tissue but at a time may end leading to causes like hyperpigmentation. As such complications are bound to arise for some of the skin types. It is always recommended to try it previously on a small area of the skin before applying it wholly on the face in order to test its adverse effects. This acid has its present in apple cider vinegar which may as well be used as a treatment, i.e. a natural and a cost-friendly treatment.
5. Natural remedies
Few people prefer natural remedies over all the other kinds of acne treatments and they prefer the natural, rather traditional ways of treating the scars. While these remedies are natural, but they have the capability of leaving the skin itchy or cause any other problems.
Hence, it is always preferable to use them with caution. Here is a list of natural remedies, which can be used to treat acne scars.
- Aloe vera gel
- Shea Butter
- Raw honey
- Lemon juice
- Coconut oil
6. Medical treatments
If the scars are great and not treatable using the recommended natural products, there are diverse medical treatments that reduce the effect of the acne breakouts and the scars. You need to visit a dermatologist in order to avail of the treatment and know which treatments appropriate for your kind of acne and the extent of the damage.
7. Chemical peels
For certain kinds of acne and scarring, a dermatologist may recommend a certain type of peel and it depends on the extent of the damage or severity. This kind of treatment is proved to be beneficial for at least 70 percent of the people who availed for the treatment. This result is directly proportionate to treating 6 of 10 people.
There are various types of peels and while some produce good results, others are simultaneously less effective. For the others, there might be a minute effect or proportionately nil effect. Though the dermatologist might recommend you to try different types of peels to see which one would be the most effective for you.
8. Injections
People suffering from raised acne scar tissue, i.e. either hypertrophic or keloid scars can get this treatment. For such cases, injections of corticosteroids may play a vital role and help the victims. The treatment generally involves a number of injections given in a pattern or series. The dermatologist will recommend this treatment and will give you an appointment every few weeks and this will vary as per the severity of the condition and improvement made.
9. Dermal filler
In some cases, the above treatments are recommended, while for the others, a dermatologist would recommend soft tissue filler which results in the disappearance of the scars up to some extent. The process starts with testing for allergic reactions. A dermatologist will use collagen-based filled, or some other chemical-based fillers which may as well be used to remove fat from the other parts of the body. Such other commercial fillers are polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), hyaluronic acid (HA), and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA).
As far as the atrophic scars are in concern, dermal fillers work the best for them, but for many that might have a temporary effect. The filler treatment is mostly of a duration of or in between 6 to 18 months. If a rather more temporary option is a choice for you, you may visit and discuss this with a dermatologist.
10. Microneedling
This process actually refers to the injection of tiny needles into the skin, which lies around the scar in order to help stimulate the body, as a result of which, the body will produce more collagen. This treatment in effect in the way where the production of collagen lightens the acne scars and gives the skin a lot more smooth appearance.
The improvement rate of this treatment is 31 to 62 percent as per the latest review. But, there are certain side effects associated with this treatment. The effect differs from person to person and basically is redness, pain, and inflammation after the treatment. But the good news is, they reside after a certain period of time.
11. Laser treatment
Laser treatment is proportionately different from the other treatments as it does not use chemicals or scrubs to treat acne scars. It resurfaces the skin by removing the uppermost layer of the skin to help outburst of the fresh cell underneath, which result in the appearance of the scarring.
However, it is not recommended for everyone, as it depends upon the type of acne scarring and the skin type of the person. Also, this treatment may result in an unexpected reaction on the skin for some fo the sensitive skin types.
