Acne scar reduction-prevention best treatment
The aftermath of an acne breakout can feel catastrophic when you’re left with acne scars.
When you have a bad outbreak of acne and sores develop, and that can lead to an infection which causes collagen and elastin to decrease. If that happens, then the skin cells themselves become damaged. The body then sends out its natural defenses and tries to repair the skin near the damaged area with connective tissue, and it’s this tissue that causes scarring.
But what preventive methods are there? Well actually, quite a few.
- You know the first way to reduce acne scarring: don’t touch your face. Not easy, if you suffer with anxiety, or feel the urge to tidy up your face with some popping and picking. But touching your face increases the build-up of oil and bacteria, which leads to more breakouts. Also, picking deepens lesions which are slow to heal.
- You can always try using medicated treatments for acne scar reduction. Again, do what you can to prevent and treat outbreaks first. Over-the-counter medications may work just fine, but if not, you can always talk to your doctor or a dermatologist about prescribing something for your outbreaks.
- Laser treatments such as an IPL (Intense Pulse Light) are becoming more and more popular as people see how well they work. The laser has to be used by a qualified dermatologist, so it will require a visit to a laser clinic. In simple terms, the laser burns of some of the skin in a controlled manner, then the scars are minimized when the new, healthy skin grows back.
- Dermabrasion is where the top part of the skin is abraded or scraped off. This can be achieved with a machine, buffer, or electric brush, usually twice a week. The idea here is that it will reveal the healthier skin underneath, but it also encourages new skin cell growth which adds to its effectiveness.
- Retinol A which is a less potent form of Retin A (Tretinon). It’s used in the treatment of many different skin problems including common acne. It can help improve the texture of the skin and correct problems with discoloration too.
- Chemical peels, such as trichloroacetic acid and glycolic acid, are another option that resurfaces the skin by removing layers. Some people are sensitive to this procedure; however, if your dermatologist believes you can tolerate it, then it’s worth giving it a try.
- Try home remedy acne scars treatments. Gently applying vitamin E, olive oil, or rosehip oil, seems to moisturize the skin and reduce scarring, especially if you catch it early. Some people like to use lemon juice, but others find it to be too acidic, so be sure to test it on a small area of the skin first.
