No one likes getting acne. They can be painful - especially the cystic ones. But what could be more frustrating are the scars and dark spots that they often leave behind.
Acne scars don’t go away on their own, but there are things that you can do to help fade them faster. Today, Healing Bark shares some of them with you:
What Causes Acne Scarring?
Acne scars are caused by tiny tissue injuries within the dermis, which is the thickest layer of skin, caused by an overproduction of sebum, which blocks pores and hair follicles, resulting in an excessive build-up of skin cells and bacteria, which in turn causes inflammation.
The severity of acne scarring depends on the depth of the injury. For these injuries to heal, the body produces collagen, which gives skin elasticity and strength. When the skin recovers from the injury, the collagen fibers, which would normally be arranged in neat, parallel order, become disorganized and form a wavy pattern with deep grooves, thus causing redness and the formation of an acne scar.
Acne scars can also be caused by picking at the pimple, which can cause deep cuts and exacerbate the formation of scars.
How Long Will It Take for Acne Scars to Fade?
It takes time for acne scars to fade, and the actual appearance varies from person to person and the severity of the scar. It takes time for the skin to heal, which can be at least six months to heal completely. And it takes time for the collagen fibers to reorganize themselves and make the scar less noticeable. It can take at least a year or two for the scars to appear significantly less noticeable.
What Are the Different Types of Acne Scars?
Knowing what type of acne scars you have can help treat and prevent them. Acne scars come in different types:
Ice pick scars are small, deep holes that look like little bullets were shot into the skin. They are scaly and red and can reach up to a centimeter in length. They are caused by inflammatory acne.
Boxcar scars are similar to ice pick scars but are longer and shallower. They are round or oval with sharp edges. They are also caused by inflammatory acne. Superficial acne that doesn’t cause severe inflammatory acne can sometimes cause boxcar scars.
Rolling scars are wider than boxcar scars but are still less wide than the skin. They are wider at the top than at the bottom and are caused by inflammatory acne.
Hypertrophic scars are raised above the surface of the skin. The edges are smooth and generally do not cause any itching or irritation. These scars are caused by inflammation and excess collagen production during the healing process.
How You Can Get Rid of Acne Scars
You can go to a dermatologist to get procedures done or try some topical products that could also work wonders:
Dermatological Treatments
Dermatologists usually recommend the following treatments, depending on the type and severity of acne scars:
Dermabrasion: Dermabrasion involves the application of an abrasive material onto the skin and then scrubbing the skin with a tool to remove skin surface irregularities. It is recommended for people with hypertrophic scars because it aims to unearth the buried acne scar and make it less noticeable.
Laser Resurfacing - Laser resurfacing is the most invasive method of getting rid of acne scars. It involves directing multiple pulses of lasers at the skin to destroy the old scar tissue and increase the production of new, healthy skin cells.
Injectable Fillers: This is also known as subcutaneous fat transfer. It involves injecting fat from another place on the body into the areas where the scars are.
Injectable Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid, also known as hyaluronan, is a natural sugar found in human skin that can fill in acne scars and lessen their appearance.
At-Home Remedies
Topical treatments involve the application of topically-applied ingredients to the skin to lessen the appearance of acne scars. One of the most effective topical treatments you can apply for your acne scars is the Healing Bark which is a100% natural face mask.
Conclusion
Acne scars not only create a physical problem for some people, but for others, they also can cause depression, anxiety and result in social isolation. With time, the skin can heal, and the appearance of scars will lessen. With the proper treatment and patience, acne scars can be successfully treated. Whether you choose to get dermatological procedures to address your acne scars or try safe and effective natural skincare products, the important thing is that you take action to gain back your clear skin.
Healing Bark is a natural face mask that can help your skin recover from acne and acne scars. Give it a try today and see the difference it makes on your skin!