Why Hasn’t That Acne Scar Faded Yet?
Have you ever wondered why that acne scar that’s been there for several months still hasn’t faded?
We’ve all been there before. You get a pimple and it leaves behind an acne scar that doesn’t seem to go away no matter how many products you try. It can be really frustrating, but the reason why those scars don’t fade is because they’re usually deeper than skin level. So what should you do?
Well, first of all, it’s worth understanding more about why acne scars stay around and why more people are prone to them than others. It could just be genetics – sorry!
In this article, we explore the science behind acne scars and how to help your existing acne scars fade faster.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND ACNE SCARS
So, what exactly is it that’s causing your acne scars and why are they slow to heal?
Acne scars are the result of inflammation, which is caused by bacteria and hormones. Acne breakouts also cause your body to produce extra oil, furthering the inflammatory process in that area. But it goes even further than that.
“Acne scars occur when too much collagen forms in a particular spot when a wound is healing,” explains dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross. “The scar often develops within the dermis, where the original acne-caused inflammation formed.”
Aesthetic practitioner Dr. Philippe Hamida-Pisal adds, “Acne scarring is due to touching and squeezing spots. This damages small veins, glands and tissues surrounding the spots which creates scarring.”
For some people, it can take several months for scarring to fade. For others, it can take a couple of years. It largely depends on how deep the scar is (IOW, the tissue injury) and your personal genetics.
ARE SOME PEOPLE MORE PRONE TO ACNE SCARRING?
It could be genetics making you more vulnerable to acne scars. If you have a family history of acne scars, it could be that your skin is more susceptible to scarring.
You can also be more prone to acne scarring if you have oily skin, or active sebaceous glands. This is because these conditions lead to an inflammation process in that area which will cause a higher risk of acne scars developing as well as making them harder to fade.
WHAT INGREDIENTS FADE ACNE SCARS?
A good first step to getting rid of acne scars is to exfoliate the area with a gentle scrub (like our Matcha Scrub) followed by applying a thin layer of an acne-fighting serum (like our CBD Jelly Serum).
Some people find out success with Vitamin C serums or Retinoids, but it is important to note that you should always use these kinds of products with caution. Do not apply too much or use it too frequently to prevent skin irritation.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps reduce discoloration in the skin. It also helps the skin to repair itself.
The higher the concentration of vitamin C in a serum, the more likely the product will cause irritation on your skin - especially if you have sensitive skin. This could lead to redness, dry patches or even worse.
If you’re not sure about what to use, it’s worth trying out products with lower concentrations of vitamin C first to see if they work for your skin before investing in higher concentration ones that might make you break out more.
Product pick: Vegan Collagen Facial Serum.
Lactic Acid
Lactic acid exfoliates the upper layer of skin, sloughing off pigmented skin cells for clearer, scar-free skin. This AHA does not need to be mixed with other substances, and can still effectively exfoliate skin.
Lactic acid exfoliates the upper layer of skin, sloughing off pigmented skin cells while stimulating collagen production and brighter looking skin. It can also be used on sensitive skin. Apply a thin layer of lactic acid and massage it into the cleansed face for one minute before rinsing off with water
Product pick: Starface Jelly Sleep Mask.
Retinol
Retinol is an excellent ingredient for improving the appearance of acne scarring. This derivative of Vitamin A can simultaneously boost collagen production helping with various conditions including wrinkles and sagging skin, sun damage from overexposure to UV rays that cause premature aging often resulting in hyperpigmentation/scarring on the neck/chest area.
“Many darker skin patients who develop dark spots also known as hyperpigmentation, may refer to them as “scars.” For others, acne scars can refer to textural changes in the skin such as indentations and uneven skin texture,” explains Associate Professor of Clinical Dermatology at USC, Keck School of Medicine, Dr. Nada Elbuluk.
She elaborates, “If it’s the former, then we often treat with products such as retinoids which can help with evening out skin tone and treating acne. If it's more of a textural change, retinoids can also help but typically a resurfacing treatment is also needed.”
Product pick: Purple Rain Facial Oil.
HOW TO AVOID ACNE SCARS
The best way to prevent acne scarring is to prevent acne in the first place. You can do this by following an acne-formulated skincare routine using ingredients like salicylic acid and glycolic acid which clear the pores and prevent breakouts.
Tips on How to Avoid Acne Scars:
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser twice a day (morning and night).
- Exfoliate about once a week to remove dead skin cells.
- Apply an acne serum before bedtime every other evening, or as often as you like. Acne serums include retinols that help reduce scarring, vitamin C, and salicylic acid.
- Don’t pick or scratch blemishes, as this can lead to more scarring.
- Use a sunscreen every day when you are outside for long periods of time to avoid pigmentation.
Acne scars are an unfortunate side effect of having acne, but they don’t have to be permanent! The best way to avoid them is by preventing new breakouts from forming in the first place – by following a skincare routine that contains ingredients like salicylic acid and glycolic acid which clear pores and prevent future breakouts.
Try Truly’s Super Hemp Bundle to clear up your skin completely.
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