Acne can be a life-altering problem in itself. However, the residual scarring can be equally frustrating. Depending on the type of scars left, there are several options to help improve the color and texture of your skin.
Consider Preventative Steps
Use retail or prescription products containing vitamin A (retinoids) to help fight scarring before it happens. The daily use of vitamin A may have additional skin benefits, such as improving the appearance and texture of your skin overall. Consider using spot treatments containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, in addition to vitamin A. This will help acne disappear faster and the vitamin A may reduce the likelihood of scar formation.
Ideally, you should regularly use products that will sit on your face for long periods, which will allow them enough time to penetrate your skin. Products such as moisturizers, serums, and night creams containing vitamin A are products you may want to add to your daily skin routine.
Use Gentle Exfoliation
You should exfoliate at least twice per week with a gentle exfoliating method. Make sure you avoid any places on your skin with active breakouts to minimize scarring of those areas. Face brushes are an excellent way of exfoliating because many models come with multiple brush heads for different types of skin. You should start with the brush head for sensitive skin until you know how your skin will react. If your skin tolerates the sensitive skin brush, you can begin using the one for normal skin.
Be cautious about using brush heads for deep cleaning or ones specifically for exfoliating. Face brushes are designed for use with your usual facial cleanser, which can have a gentler feel than using products for exfoliation containing crystals, beads, or other particles. Regular exfoliation is good for hyperpigmented acne scars to help them fade faster, but avoid over-exfoliating.
Treat Scars Differently
Scars that change the texture of your skin are not easily managed by retail products and typically do not fade with time. For example, ice pick scarring benefits from procedures that can be performed by a dermatologist. Once such treatment is laser resurfacing. With multiple treatments, you should notice the texture of your skin even out, with fewer indentations.
If your main problem is areas of hyperpigmentation that are not resolved with at home treatments, chemical peels and microdermabrasion can usually improve the problem. There are several types of chemical peels, such as TCA, lactic acid, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid. Essentially chemical peels offer a faster and deeper method of exfoliating the skin. This can make normally pigmented skin rise to the surface faster. Microdermabrasion can offer similar benefits and may be considered if chemical peels are not effective.
Although scars from old acne are frustrating, there are plenty of options to improve their appearance. Start with modifications to your skin care routine to determine if simple, inexpensive methods can help you achieve the desired effects. Click here for more information about acne surgery and similar procedures.
