We’ve all been there: you’ve got a pesky pimple that just won’t go away on its own. Even though you know you shouldn’t, you take matters into your own hands and pop your pimple. But after some time, you notice a scar has formed in its place.
Acne scars can be frustrating. They stick around even when your acne clears up and can take a long time to fade away. When faced with a particularly stubborn scar, you may wonder if acne scars go away and, if so, how fast.
The truth is that acne scars come in different forms and levels of severity. Some may fade on their own, while others require deliberate acne scar treatment. In this guide, we’ll go over top strategies you can use to remove acne scars and start working toward even, smooth skin.
What Are Acne Scars?
Breakouts don’t just cause us problems on the surface—they can be quite harsh beneath the delicate layers of our skin.
When acne forms, the skin goes to work repairing itself. Its primary form of defense? Inflammation. As with other injuries throughout the body, inflammation is a defensive response our body triggers to protect against threats. Inflammation triggers more blood flow, white blood cells, and other helpful agents to aid and heal the body.
When inflammation occurs to fight acne, the body sends collagen to help out—since collagen is one of the primary supporting proteins of the skin. As the skin works hard to heal itself, different kinds of scars can be left behind.
There are three distinct types of acne scars:
- Atrophic – These scars cause small skin indentations due to lost skin tissue. This acne scar type usually leads to a change in skin texture or a pitted scar.
- Hypertrophic – Caused by an overproduction of collagen, a hypertrophic scar usually creates a firm, raised acne scar.
- Keloidal – Also associated with excess collagen, the keloidal scar type generally shows up as a thick, raised scar.
Atrophic scars are by far the most common category. For this type of scar where skin tissue has been lost, acne scar treatments that stimulate collagen production are recommended.
But for hypertrophic and keloidal acne scars, the opposite is true. These types of acne scars are spurred by an overgrowth of scar tissue. Therefore, they respond well to scar treatment methods that work to flatten the affected area and reduce skin discoloration.
Now that you’re familiar with what acne scars are and how to identify them, let's dive deeper to explore the best methods of addressing this common skin concern.
Factors Influencing Acne Scar Longevity
One of the biggest factors that determine how extreme acne scars will be is the severity of the initial case of acne. The more destructive the breakout, the more likely it is to leave stubborn scars in its wake.
Typically, people who experience painful, pus-filled blemishes called nodules are most at risk of developing permanent scars.
When it comes to the type of blemishes you experience, it’s important to remember that you can’t control whether or not you are genetically predisposed to severe or mild acne. On top of that, some people simply tend to scar more easily than others.
Preventing Acne Scarring
Still, there are steps everyone can take to reduce the severity of their scars. By controlling these two factors, you can avoid prolonging the time it takes your acne scars to heal:
- Don’t pop your pimples
- Wear sunblock to prevent scar-darkening
No matter what you do, you may likely experience an acne scar or two at some point in your life. When acne scars inevitably strike, they can be treated through procedures like:
- Surgery
- Botox
- Laser treatment methods
The list goes on, but while these more intensive approaches may prove helpful to those experiencing a more extreme case of acne scars, the procedures can be expensive, time-consuming, and invasive.
If you’re looking for a more accessible solution, read on to explore skincare ingredients that can help you heal your acne scars without requiring expensive treatments or operations.
Ingredients to Help Reduce Acne Scars
The powerful properties of these natural ingredients can work wonders for acne-prone skin affected by scarring:
- Acids – These agents are commonly used to permeate into the skin, remove outer layers, and accelerate the normal process of exfoliation. Some chemical treatments use a high percentage of these ingredients to produce intense results. For gentler, more sustainable acid treatments, invest in a daily skincare product that contains a lower concentration.
- Vitamin C – Did you know vitamin C for acne scars can help with skin discoloration and even out skin texture? Topical treatments, such as serums, that contain this powerful natural ingredient are useful for increasing the synthesis of collagen. This means they work well as an atrophic scar treatment but should not be used on hypertrophic scars or keloids. Because 80 to 90% of people with acne scars experience the atrophic type of acne scars, the collagen-stimulating properties of vitamin C are a popular treatment option.
Our CLEARSTEAM Power Duo is an ideal source of both of these ingredients.
Step 1: Our blackhead serum contains Mandelic AHA, or a “friendly acid” that works to stimulate collagen, lighten discoloration, and smooth the skin. It also contains stabilized vitamin C for brightening.
Step 2: Our collagen stem cell serum works to repair acne scars, sun damage, and inflammation. It also works to calm the skin, hydrate deeply, and support collagen healing.
Ideal Skincare Routine for Acne Scars
Dermatologists recommend taking preventative steps whenever possible to treat acne as soon as it appears. This way, you have a better chance of preventing the formation of severe acne that is more likely to leave future acne scarring.
Add these two steps to your regimen to target acne scar concerns:
- Microdermabrasion – Our DIAMOND BUFF™ At-Home Microdermabrasion Tool allows you to mimic the results of a clinical microderm facial more conveniently and cost-effectively. Designed to target acne scars and fine lines, this dermal resurfacing tool is a two-in-one when it comes to treating acne. It helps prevent acne before it starts and helps soothe existing acne scars.
- Regular cleansing and moisturizing – When it comes to skincare, it’s always better (and easier) to be proactive than it is to be reactive. If you have a goal to reduce your acne scars, don’t forget to prevent new ones from forming. Invest in a gentle facial cleanser that effectively washes away dead skin cells and dirt, along with a moisturizer that won’t clog your pores to set your skin up for success.
As everyone’s skin is unique, there’s no single acne scar treatment that will serve as a one-size-fits-all solution for acne scarring. Try out different products and find the routine that works best for you.
Help Your Acne Scars Heal with CLEARSTEM
Stubborn scars can feel like acne’s way of adding insult to injury and prolonging the pain of dealing with pimples. You deserve skincare solutions that can clear your breakouts and help you reduce the appearance of acne scars at the same time.
Our skincare experts here at CLEARSTEM have formulated an entire collection of products specifically designed to target acne scars. Browse skincare products for acne scars help reduce the appearance of any battle scars and help you manage your acne dysmorphia.
Sources:
NEMOURS TeensHealth. Can Acne Scars Be Removed? https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/acne-scars.html#:~:text=If%20you%20have%20a%20red,on%20what%20you%20can%20do.
Mayo Clinic. Acne scars: What's the best treatment? https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acne/expert-answers/acne-scars/faq-20058101
National Library of Medicine. Effective Treatments of Atrophic Acne Scars. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4445894/
Healthline. Does Vitamin C Treat Acne? https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-c-for-acne
National Library of Medicine. Acne Scars: Pathogenesis, Classification and Treatment. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2958495
