Treating and Preventing Acne Marks and Scars for Clear Skin

Understanding Acne Marks and Acne Scars

Dealing with acne breakouts is frustrating enough, but the marks and scars left behind can be even more distressing. However, it's important to understand that acne marks and acne scars are not the same thing. By learning the differences between them, you can find the right treatment plan to regain smooth, clear skin.

What are Acne Marks?

Acne marks, also known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, occur when a pimple heals and leaves behind a flat area of discoloration on your skin. They are commonly red or brown in color, and may look similar to a scar. But unlike scars, acne marks are only a temporary condition and the discoloration will eventually fade on its own over time.

Causes of Acne Marks

Acne marks develop as part of the healing process after you get a pimple. When the pimple goes away, the inflamed area sometimes leaves behind excess pigment on the surface skin cells. People with darker skin tones are more likely to experience post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation because they naturally produce more melanin.

Treating Acne Marks

The good news is that acne marks will disappear without treatment in a matter of months. However, if you want to speed up the fading process, there are effective solutions available:

• Over-the-counter brightening creams - Look for creams containing ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide, soy, licorice root extract or retinol.
• Prescription creams - More potent fading creams are available by prescription, such as those containing hydroquinone.
• Chemical peels and laser treatments - By exfoliating the surface layers of skin, chemical peels help acne marks fade faster. Laser treatments work deeper in the skin to eliminate discoloration.
• Microdermabrasion - This mildly abrasive treatment removes dead skin cells to stimulate new cell growth and reduce hyperpigmentation.

What are Acne Scars?

Unlike acne marks that fade over time, acne scars are permanent indentations that are left behind when a blemish damages the skin. The pores and collagen beneath the skin's surface get harmed when severe acne lesions form.

Types of Acne Scars

There are several varieties of acne scarring, including:

• Ice pick scars - Narrow, deep pits that extend into the deeper layers of skin.
• Rolling scars - Shallow indentations that create an uneven, wavy appearance across the skin’s surface.
• Boxcar scars - Broad depressions with sharply defined edges.
• Hypertrophic scars - Thick, raised scar tissue that develops on sites of past acne lesions.

What Causes Acne Scars?

Not everyone who suffers from acne will end up with permanent scars. They form as a result of the skin's trauma during a breakout. Popping, squeezing or picking at pimples often leads to damage. Severe inflammatory acne that goes deep into layers like cysts or nodules is also likely to scar.

Acne Scar Treatments

Getting rid of acne scars takes patience and persistence. Most treatments need to be repeated over time to continously smooth and remodel the skin's surface layer. Options include:

Over-the-Counter Creams

Creams labeled as "scar removal," "scar treatment," or similar don't have strong evidence that they work. Most contain vitamin C, vitamin E, rose hip seed oil, or other antioxidants and emollients that soften skin. Their benefits seem small compared to prescription treatments.

Steroid Injections

Corticosteroid injections added to other treatments may help flatten hypertrophic and keloid scars. This works best on raised scars. The injections tend to flatten them but don't completely remove them.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Laser skin resurfacing directs short, concentrated beams of light onto the skin, destroying outer layers. This removes some damaged skin and prompts new collagen growth. It works well for rolling scars but less so for ice pick and deep boxcar scars.

Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion

These use a rotating instrument to "sand" small sections of skin, removing the outer layers. New skin regrows, helping reduce the look of scars. It may take several repeat treatments. Recovery can take 7 to 10 days before going back to normal activities.

Microneedling

During this treatment, the dermatologist moves a microneedling device over the affected skin, creating microscopic punctures that spur collagen production. This reduces the appearance of acne scars after several monthly treatments.

Fillers

Soft tissue fillers injected under indented scars can raise scarred sections to be more level with surrounding skin. Types of fillers include hyaluronic acid and collagen fillers. These provide a temporary improvement lasting around 6 months or less.

Surgery

For substantial scarring or deep pitted scars, surgery may be an option. One technique involves transferring fat from another part of your body to reconstruct depressed areas beneath acne scars. Another technique is subscision, which cuts fibrous bands tethering indented scars to underlying tissue.

Preventing Acne Scars

While you can't always avoid acne scarring once you have an inflamed lesion, you can help minimize damage by not manipulating or popping existing pimples. Follow tips like:

• Avoid excessive touching, squeezing or picking at acne.
• Follow a regular skincare routine with acne-fighting ingredients.
• Shave carefully or avoid techniques that irritate existing pimples.
• See a dermatologist at the first signs of severe acne like nodules or cysts.

Takeaway

Dealing with the after effects of acne can be frustrating. But while acne marks and discoloration tend to fade over several months, true acne scars cause permanent damage to the deeper layers of skin. Getting the right diagnosis from a dermatologist allows you to find treatments tailored to the types of marks or scars you have - leading to clearer, more even-toned skin.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.