Skin breakouts can be frustrating, but the prominent adult acne scars they leave behind are unwanted reminders of a bothersome experience. Every skin type is different, with some people experiencing acne more often than others. As a result, they are left with adult acne scars, which are pesky and hard to remove.
Further acne scars, especially those found on the face can take a toll on one’s self-esteem and confidence. In this article, we will run down the most effective treatments you can try to remove adult acne scars.
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Quick facts on acne
Acne is a common skin condition that affects the oil glands and hair follicles. The pores on the skin connect to the oil glands under the skin, which make an oily substance called sebum. In some instances, hair and sebum clump together into a plug, blocking the pores. When bacteria gets access to this area, they cause swelling.
The most common causes of acne include too much oil produced by the follicles, bacterial accumulation in the pores, and dead skin cells build up in the pores. All these problems are drivers in the development of pimples or acne. If it is left untreated, it can spread across the face, and cause scars that are hard to erase.
Acne affects about 40 to 50 million people in the United States alone. Though the condition mostly teenagers, it is also present in adults.
Effective Treatments for Acne
Acne is a pesky skin problem. The good thing is, some remedies can help reduce or better yet, defeat adult acne scars. Here are the top treatments you can try.
Home Skin Care
One of the best ways to beat those pesky acne scars is to follow home skincare. Usually, the milder the acne, the easier it can be treated at home. There are many home remedies you can do, including apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, honey and turmeric mixture, green tea, aloe vera, lemon, and oatmeal.
Apple cider vinegar, for one, helps reduce the appearance of acne scars. It contains succinic acid that can help suppress inflammation triggered by Propionibacterium acnes, which is the pathogen that contributes to breakouts. Further, it contains lactic acid that helps improve the texture and appearance of the skin.
To use apple cider vinegar, mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and ¼ cup of warm water. Use the solution to gently cleanse the face before sleeping.
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Laser Treatment
Laser treatment for adult acne scars works by removing the outermost layer of the skin, the epidermis, to reveal the younger skin cells. It resurfaces the skin without using chemicals, scrubs, and products.
Laser treatment is an effective acne scar removal procedure. It works in two ways – by removing the top layer of the skin where the scar has emerged, and stimulate the healthy cells to grow. To do this, the heat of the laser boosts circulation and blood flow to the area. As a result, inflammation is reduced and scars start to lighten up until they disappear.
The heat from laser treatment stimulates collagen and fibroblasts, which are the building blocks of healthy tissue to repair the damage and new skin cells are formed. In time, the scars will slowly but surely disappear, revealing a healthy, smooth, and glowing skin.
Rejuvenating Face Oil
A night oil can help improve minor pimple breakouts and blemishes. It also helps reveal healthy new cells for smoother and more radiant skin.
Night oils can help improve minor breakouts and blemishes, but it alone won’t clear up a persistent case of acne.
Microneedling
Another acne scar treatment gaining immense popularity today is micro-needling, which is deemed more effective than rollers. It works by inserting needles into the skin around the scar to boost the body’s ability to produce collagen, which helps smoothen out the skin.
Soft Tissue Fillers
For those with severe cases of acne scars, doctors recommend using soft tissue fillers or dermal fillers. In this procedure, collagen is injected into indented scars to stretch the skin. The fillers are temporary and may work between 6 and 18 months. For the best results, you would need to repeat the injections periodically.
Skin tightening
Skin tightening is a procedure wherein dermatologists use a technology dubbed as radio frequency to tighten the skin. If the skin becomes tight, depressed acne scars become less noticeable. Just like laser therapy, the patient may need repeated appointments for the best results. Also, you may feel a burning sensation after the procedure, and it will turn pink for about two to three days.
Acne Scar Surgery
Acne scar surgery may sound scary, but it is a common procedure performed by dermatologists. The procedure is a minor surgery intended to treat acne scars. It can be done on the same day and in the medical office. It works by lifting the scar and bringing it close to the surface to become less noticeable.
Dr. Ammar Mahmoud is an expert in the field of minimally invasive, non-surgical cosmetic skin care and acne scar treatment. He is also the founder of Alinea Medical Spa Acne Scar & Laser Skin Care in NYC.
