It’s a problem you can’t ignore. It’s an issue that needs to be resolved soon. But where does one start?
What is an Acne Scar?
An acne scar is commonly the result of an irritated lesion, including a papule, pustule, or a cyst. When a pore on the skin becomes inflamed due to accumulation of excess oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria, it can cause a break in the follicle wall.
If the wound is near the surface of the skin, it will heal quickly with very little scarring. However, if there is a deep break in the follicle wall, then this can cause acne scar as the infection spreads into the skin and damages healthy skin cells.
There are at least four main types of acne scars, though they can be categorized into two primary kinds: atrophic scars which are the results of the loss of tissue, and hypertrophic scars which are caused by an excess tissue.
1. Ice pick scars – These are deep and narrow scars that go into the dermis, and are caused after a cyst or other deep infection worked its way into the surface of the skin. The affected area will have a long, column-like scar.
2. Boxcar scars – Typically gives the skin its pitted appearance as each boxcar scar is either a round or oval indention with sharp vertical sides. When an infection destroys collagen, the affected area becomes depressed since the supporting tissue has been damaged. Depending on the amount of tissue lost, boxcar scars may be minor to severe. They also look similar to the scars left by chicken pox.
3. Rolling scars – The skin has a wave-like appearance with rolling scars because of their wide and shallow depth. The rolling scars results when fibrous bands of tissue grow between the skin and the tissues underneath it. The bands bind the epidermis with the structure underneath it.
4. Hypertrophic/Keloid scars – These types of scars typically stems from the overproduction of collagen, hence the raised, firm mass of tissue. Hypertropic scars are those which stay within the limits of the original wound, whereas a keloid scar has the tendency to develop beyond the original wound.
How to Get Rid of Acne Scars?
The type of treatment approach you’d want to take on depends on the type of acne scar that you have. Coping with acne is bad enough, and dealing with the aftermath (acne scars, that is) is a nightmare indeed. But, don’t lose hope, acne scars can be treated, as long as you know what to do and what to avoid.
There are two ways to get rid of acne scars – natural remedies and medical acne removal interventions.
1. Natural Acne Scar Removal Remedies – Nature has got a lot of beauty secrets waiting to be revealed. Here are a few of them that will help get rid of those unsightly acne scars naturally.
a. The Honey Rub – Open up the pores of your skin by using lukewarm water to wash your face and pat-dry it with a clean towel. Then rub honey on your face liberally. After 20 minutes, wash your face with lukewarm water and pat-dry it. Close the pores by rubbing an ice cube all over your face. The honey rub will clean your pores, keep your skin healthy, and help get rid of the acne scars naturally.
b. Cucumber Juice Therapy – The cucumber juice is non-acidic which reduces swelling and improves your skin’s suppleness. Extract the juice from the cucumber and apply to your face or rub cucumber slices all over your face. Leave this on for a few minutes then wash your face and pat-dry it.
c. Lemon Juice Facial – One of the best known natural skin lightening treatments is lemon juice. You dab a cotton ball with some lemon juice and apply it your face, with more attention on the acne scars. Leave this on for a few minutes before washing your face with warm water.
d. Egg White Toner – The white part of the egg has excellent healing properties that can make those acne scars heal faster and appear less and less visible with regular application. Dab a cotton ball with the whites of an egg, leave it on for some time then wash it off with water and pat-dry your face.
e. Tomato Face Mask – With the property to improve the elasticity of your skin while lightening the scars, a tomato face mask is another natural acne removal remedy you should include in your daily routine. Cut a tomato in two, the rub one of the halves on your scars. Wash your tomato face mask after 20 minutes and then pat-dry your face.
2. Medical Acne Removal Interventions – Using natural remedies to eliminate those ugly acne scars certainly have no harmful side effects, however application of such treatments need time to really see the difference. Meanwhile, medical acne removal interventions are intended to get rid of those acne scars.
a. Chemical Peels – More or less, a chemical scrub is pretty much the same as the exfoliating scrub you use at home, only that the chemicals are a bit stronger so that more skin layers are peeled off. They are quick procedures conducted at the office of your dermatologist. Skin irritation may occur, but usually goes away after a day or two.
b. Laser Acne Treatment – This is one of the most contemporary ways of acne scar removal. Bacteria are killed by the traditional laser acne treatment, just like the new Blue Light Acne Therapy procedure. Such treatments are done by licensed dermatologists or doctors only.
c. Oral antibiotics/topical antibacterial creams – These two work the same way – by killing the bacteria that causes acne – although their ingestion and the actual process of antibacterial activity differs. Minocycline, doxycycline, tetracycline, and erythromycin are some examples of oral antibiotics.
d. Dermabrasion – A visit to your dermatologist for a dermabrasion procedure is also one way to get rid of acne scars quickly. The dermatologist will use a metal brush or a diamond surfaces spinning blade to rub away the top layer of your skin along with the scars. Healing periods take some time, two to three weeks on average, depending on how much skin was scraped.
e. Contraceptive pills – An OB gynecologist may recommend that you take birth control pills to regulate the production of the hormone androgen which is known to cause oily skin resulting in clogged pores and acne. This is most helpful for women suffering from hormonal acne who have not seen progress with other acne treatments.
Getting Rid of Acne Scar through Prevention
The best cure for acne is to prevent those breakouts in the first place. Without acne, there’ll be no scars so it’s important to know how to avoid those zits!
Listed below are some ways to help you get rid of acne scar by preventing them from ever making a mark on your face.
1. Wash your face regularly throughout the day. Keep your pores clean and prevent them from clogging up. No blocked up pore, no pimple.
2. Do not prick, squeeze, or pop your pimples. Popping those pimples will leave tiny breaks in your skin, and once they get infected, could easily leave a scar.
3. Reduce stress, avoid oily foods, and identify other causes of your acne. Stress can be a triggering factor to those breakouts so try to learn to cope with the pressure around you. Recognize other triggering factors as well and try to avoid or prevent them.
4. At the first sign of acne, act quickly. Do not wait for the breakouts to go away or it’ll be too late. See a dermatologist and ask for advice on how to come with a treatment plan customized to your own needs.
5. Live a healthy lifestyle. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of changing an aspect in your life. Eating a balanced diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, as well as drinking plenty of water and juices will keep the skin healthy and the body fit.