The Complete Guide to Acne – Scars, Types, Treatment, and Recipes

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Acne is the most common skin condition in the world, it can happen to anyone. It is a skin condition that affects most people at some point in their lives.

The most common cause of acne is the formation of pore-clogging oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. This mixture can lead to an inflammatory response that may be visible on the skin surface as redness, swelling, or pus-filled bumps. Another cause for this condition is puberty because hormones result in an increase in oil production in your body which can clog pores and lead to breakouts.

Acne treatment options are plentiful, but not all treatments work for everyone. They can be divided into – medical treatments (prescriptions), and over-the-counter treatments, choosing the right treatment will depend on the type of acne you have, however, you can visit a dermatologist.


Please note that this article is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing advice. With that being said, let’s dive right in!


What are Acne Scars and What Causes Them?

It is important for you to know the different types of acne scars so you can better understand your options for treatment.

Acne scars are a result of inflammation in the skin. They are often caused by picking at pimples or blackheads, which causes the pimple to spread under the skin and create a raised bump or nodule that takes much longer to heal than if it was left untouched.

This occurs when the engorged pore or follicle swells and causes a break in the follicle wall. Superficial wounds that are closer to the skin’s surface tend to heal quickly and without leaving any scars behind. However, when the wound damages the second layer of the skin (dermis), scars form on the skin.

The greater and deeper the inflammation, the more likely scarring is to occur. In order for the skin to repair the damage done to the dermis, collagen is produced. This protein is what gives the skin its flexibility and strength.

The Different Types of Acne Scars

Acne scars generally come in two main categories; atrophic and hypertrophic. Atrophic scars are those caused by a loss of tissue, and hypertrophic are those caused by an excess of tissue. Among these two categories, there are 4 types of scars; ice-pick scars, boxcar scars, rolling scars, and keloid scars.

Ice-pick Scars

These scars are deep and narrow, they’re so deep that they sometimes pierce the skin and go down to the level of the dermis, which means that they can’t be treated with topical treatments like retinoids or lasers.

They can also be difficult to conceal with makeup.

Treatments

There are a few treatment options for treating or removing ice-pick scars.

The most effective treatments are the best scar treatments and they include punch excision and punch grafting.

Punch excision is where scar tissues are removed surgically using a tool called: the punch tool, and then followed by stitching the skin.

Punch grafting, the second most effective scar treatment involves removing the scarred tissue and replacing it with a new skin graft taken from the back of the ear.

Boxcar Scars

Boxcar scars look like round or oval depressions in the skin with sharp vertical sides and give an uneven appearance to the skin.

Just like icepick scars, deeper scars are harder to treat than shallow ones.

Treatments

Scar removal treatments vary depending on the size of the scar, how deep it is, and its location.

Microdermabrasion is a superficial treatment that treats the top layer of the skin.

Dermabrasion is similar to microdermabrasion but works deeper by removing the whole top layer of the skin. It is most effective on shallow scars, not deep ones.

Fillers are used to fill the space under the scar and make the skin appear level and smooth.

Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that is used to treat scars. It can also be used to improve skin texture, reduce wrinkles, and improve skin elasticity.

The procedure consists of using a controlled device with multiple rows of needles that are passed over the surface of the skin. This process stimulates collagen production, which can help with scarring and elasticity. This procedure is done by a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon and it usually takes about 15 minutes. The microneedles will puncture the surface of the skin, but they won’t go deep enough to cause any damage to the underlying tissue or create scars.

Rolling Scars

These scars are wider than ice-pick scars but not as deep. They have a smooth surface and blend well with makeup but they cannot be completely concealed by it either. They make the skin look craggy and uneven.

Treatments

Scar removal treatments are various, some examples are subcision, punch excision, punch elevation, punch grafting, dermabrasion, microneedling, and chemical peels, to name a few.

The goal of these treatments is to reduce the depth of the scar so that the surface of the skin returns flat, although discoloration might occur.

Keloid/Hypertrophic Scars

These scars are firm, raised scars that grow above the surface of the skin, this is the result of excess production of collagen. Keloid scars typically are larger than hypertrophic scars and have the potential to be painful and itchy.

Treatments

If the keloid scar is relatively new, less-invasive treatments are recommended, such as silicone pads, pressure dressings, or injections. If the scar is an older one, laser treatments are one way to address it. The goal of this treatment is for the keloid to resurface and create a smoother appearance. The most effective treatment is cryosurgery, where the keloid is frozen using liquid nitrogen.

The bottom line is, that the best acne scar treatments for you will depend on your skin type and the severity of your acne scar.

Acne Treatments

Before you make your purchase, it is important to consider what type of acne you have and what your personal preferences are. There are many different types of treatments available today, so finding one that works best for you may take some time and patience, but it will be worth it in the end.

Treatment options depend on your age, skin type, acne severity, and type of acne. Acne can be treated using topical treatments, oral medications, or laser therapy.

Topical treatments include benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, and salicylic acid.

Oral medications include antibiotics and hormonal therapy. They work by reducing oil production or by treating bacterial infections in the body, two of the many causes of acne.

Laser therapy includes pulsed dye laser or intense pulsed light therapy.

Acne Treatment Side Effects

Acne treatments come with side effects. The most common side effects of acne treatments include dryness, redness, and peeling of the skin. These side effects usually subside after the first few weeks of treatment. Another common side effect is the skin’s sensitivity to the sun, which may cause redness and dryness.

7 Things You Can Do To Treat Acne

  1. Exfoliate regularly. Exfoliating is an extremely important step in any skincare routine because it gives you a clean slate to work on. Exfoliating your skin regularly (1-2 times a week) will remove dead skin cells and any excess oils found on your skin.
  2. Exercise daily. Daily exercise will help improve blood circulation in the body thus helping nourish the skin and healing acne.
  3. Tea tree oil spot treatment. This holy grail essential oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory characteristics which calm the skin’s irritation.
  4. Fish oil supplements. Fish oil has a blend of healthy fats that reduce acne by decreasing inflammation.
  5. Cut back on dairy. Eating less dairy will reduce acne-related hormonal changes.
  6. Reduce stress. Stress increases inflammation in the body, reducing stress will balance hormones and reduce inflammation.
  7. Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps reduce the redness and swelling that is caused by acne.

3 Natural DIY Recipes That Help Treat Acne

  1. Exfoliating scrub: Mix 1 cup of brown sugar with ½ cup of ground coffee and 2 tbsp carrier oil of your choice. Optional: You can add a few drops of tea tree oil to add an antibacterial property to the scrub.
  2. Oil-controlling face mask: Mix 1 tbsp of honey with enough oatmeal to create a paste. Apply for 10-15 minutes then rinse with lukewarm water.
  3. Hydrating face mask: Mix ¼ cup of honey with half an avocado and ½ cup of yogurt. Apply for 15-20 minutes then rinse with lukewarm water.

DIY recipes are endless. You need to choose what works for you and your skin type, oily skin, dry skin, or sensitive skin.


4 Foods That Cause Acne

  • Sugar
  • Dairy
  • Bread
  • Oil

…and the list goes on!

Foods That Help Clear Acne

A proper diet that contains tons of vitamins and minerals is always healthy, but it is especially for people with acne.

Vitamins and minerals help reduce inflammation in the body and increase antioxidants. Here are some ingredients that are healthy and good for clearing acne.

Of course, it goes without saying, water is the most important one and should be consumed daily.

  • Spinach
  • Green tea
  • Avocado
  • Salmon
  • Carrots
  • Berries

eat better, not less!

Get Rid of Acne Quickly With These Effective Tips

  1. Proper skincare routine. A proper skincare routine is important for preventing acne breakouts. It includes washing your face twice daily, once in the morning and once at night using the proper face wash for your skin type. Moisturizing immediately after washing. Applying face masks and exfoliating regularly.
  2. Pat dry. After washing your face, use a tissue and pat your face dry to avoid any harsh friction, instead of rubbing your face dry with a towel.
  3. Do not pick on/touch your pimples. Picking at your pimples or touching them frequently will, first of all, inflame the pimple, and second of all, spread the bacteria to different areas of your body.
  4. Follow a healthy diet. Diet does not mean starving yourself, it rather means having a healthy food routine with a balanced portion of vitamins and minerals. A healthy balanced diet will keep your skin nourished and healthy.
  5. Use OTC treatments. Over-the-counter treatments are an affordable way to help keep your acne at bay.