Acne scars are the result of inflammation of acne blemishes. The acne pore swells and a breakdown occurs in the wall of the pore. Some acne blemishes are small and the scars created are shallow and heal quickly. Sometimes the contents of blemishes spill into the surrounding tissue and cause deeper scars.
Acne scars result from the body's natural attempt to heal itself. Skin pores that become clogged with dead skin cells slowly fill with excess oil and can allow bacteria to grow. These pores (or follicles) can become engorged resulting in acne lesions (i.e. whiteheads or blackheads).
Mild acne causes less irritated whiteheads or blackheads with or without a few red bumps or pustules. Most of the time, the light red or brown marks left behind by healed acne clear up over time on their own. But severe acne, especially cystic acne, is likely to leave permanent scarring as it heals.
Acne scars do not go away entirely on their own. Depressed acne scars often become more noticeable with age as skin loses collagen. However, there are a variety of treatments that can make acne scars less noticeable. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or redness may lighten on its own within several months.
If you have a red or brownish mark on your face that you got from a bad zit, it should eventually fade. However, it may take 12 months or longer. If you're upset about acne marks, talk to your doctor, who might have advice on what you can do.
Acne scars are usually permanent, so it is important to see a dermatologist if you are developing them. Acne treatment can prevent scarring by stopping more spots from forming.
Emotional and Personal Attributes. In comparison to the pictures of those with clear skin, those with acne scars were less likely to be considered attractive, confident, happy, healthy and successful, and more likely to be perceived as insecure and shy (all p < 0.05; Table 1).
The production of too much tissue forms a keloid or a hypertrophic scar, and too little tissue leads to that depression in the skin or atrophic scar. The deeper and more inflamed the acne lesion, or the more that it is picked or squeezed, the more likely it is to scar," says Dr. Bowe.
While existing scars cannot be waved away via magic wand, you can speed up the fading process by regularly applying certain topical creams, lotions, and gels to them. Some common ingredients in these scar treatments include aloe vera, cocoa butter, Vitamin E, honey, and other hydrating materials.
Anecdotal reports claim that vitamin E speeds wound healing and improves the cosmetic outcome of burns and other wounds. Many lay people use vitamin E on a regular basis to improve the outcome of scars and several physicians recommend topical vitamin E after skin surgery or resurfacing.
Basically, it depends on the girl. A good girl will not judge you or reject because you have acne. You aren't the first guy who has acne scars, you know. You'll see acne scars on some male movie stars if you look for them.
Salicylic acid
It's considered to be one of the best treatments for acne scars. You can add products with salicylic acid into your daily routine or your skin care specialist may use it for less frequent chemical peels. It might take a few weeks to see a difference when using salicylic acid.
We're taught that uneven skin texture is imperfect and unsightly, but the following images from 12 skin-positivity Instagrammers prove that if you just reorient your perspective slightly, acne scars are not ugly. They may be "flaws," but they're beautiful.
Applying face wash or lotion containing AHAs and BHAs causes mild exfoliation and exposes fresh skin underneath. Regular use of AHA and BHA on the face can reduce the appearance of scars and uneven pigmentation. Skin peels and serums containing vitamin C have a lightening effect on acne scars in about three weeks.
It has properties that reduce dark spots without changing your skin color. Combining vitamin C serums with other brightening agents like iontophoresis can significantly enhance the results. It improves the appearance of scars caused by acne. Your skin can take a while to heal after an acne breakout.
Aloe vera is known for soothing many types of skin problems, such as psoriasis or sunburns. Early tests in lab rats show it may reduce the appearance of scars. But there's been little research on this in humans, although people have traditionally used aloe vera on skin for centuries.
Coconut oil is also said to help boost collagen production. Not only could increasing collagen in the skin help with fine lines, it could also help minimize scarring by binding new skin tissue together.
One tip for taking care of scars is to use a topical ointment. Cocoa butter cream and Vaseline are most often used to help reduce the appearance of scars. Applying the ointment daily will help heal scars but will not make them invisible.
There are a few reasons why a scar might turn dark. For example, if a scar was exposed to sunlight during the healing process, there's a good chance the scar tissue will become pigmented. Dark scars can also be caused by inflammation, poor healing, or the genetics of your skin and how your skin heals.
When the body produces too much collagen, it creates raised scars, also called hypertrophic or keloid scars. Unfortunately, as you age, your skin loses its elasticity and acne scars become even more noticeable.
For the most part, scars are permanent, but they can be faded using clinically-proven scar therapy products. Raised and discolored scars are the product of collagen buildup during the proliferation and maturation stages of wound healing.