Acne Facial Scars

Acne Facial Scars: What Causes Them?

...Before choosing the best acne scar treatment, learn more about treatment and prevention.

Almost everyone deals with acne at some point in his or her lives.  Most victims are going through the turbulent, hormone-infused teen years and acne scarring is an unpleasant side effect. 

Many more victims of acne are adults who mistakenly thought that acne didn't affect anyone over the age of eighteen.  But did you know that over 95% of victims end up with acne facial scars ranging from slight skin discoloration to drastic disfiguration? 

Before you select the best acne scar treatment, it's important to learn about the causes and ways to prevent acne.

What Causes Acne Scarring?

Acne scars are created when pimples become inflamed or infected.  Some people are more prone to acne scars because of skin color or genetics.  Acne scars can be divided into two main categories:

Pigmented Scars

This type of acne scarring causes red or purplish-brown marks that remain on the skin after the blemish disappears.

Ice Pick Scars

This descriptive acne name refers to scarring categorized by small holes in the surface of the skin.

Your typical whitehead doesn't usually cause a scar since it normally doesn't become inflamed.  However, if you pick at your it, you could be increasing the chances that it will scar, since picking at a blemish can introduce bacteria and cause an infection.

Ice pick scars, the unfortunate kind of acne scars that leave crater-like impressions in the skin, occur more often in individuals with lighter-colored skin. Ice pick scars usually occur after more severe pustule-like acne outbreaks, and cause indented scars if they aren't treated quickly.

How can I treat my Acne Scars?

Treatment options for pigmented scars can range from over-the-counter creams to more expensive treatments, depending on how severe your scars are.  Over-the-counter creams like those made by Noxema contain bleaching ingredients that reduce the appearance of non-severe scars. 

How to get rid of acne scarring?  Just remember that your best results will occur after about six weeks as acne scars can lie deep beneath the surface of your skin.

If your pigmented scars don't respond well to over-the-counter creams, your dermatologist can prescribe a stronger bleaching cream to be with a retinoid-based cream. Retinoids help prevent further breakouts and exfoliate skin cells where scarring begins.
 
Severe scarring may require a series of chemical peels.  This process can take three to four months to provide improved conditions. If your dermatologist recommends this type of treatment, you will most likely be administered a salicylic acid peel, which clears up acne at the same time it treats scarring.

Ice pick scars require a different type of treatment.  They are usually best treated with a method such as Microdermabrasion.  Microdermabrasion manually smooths out your scars using a controlled jet of fine particles or small wire brush.  Microdermabrasion is commonly used when ice pick scars don't respond to retinoid topical treatments.

You will probably see results after one treatment, but a good maintenance routine is a necessity.  You will need to begin using a good sunscreen and a retinoid cream to control further breakouts. In very severe cases, your scar may require surgical removal before Dermabrasion treatments.

With proper treatment and good skin care, your acne scarring can realistically be a thing of the past. 

If you would like to try a home treatment to fight back against acne scars we recommend the only produt that combines four treatments into an easy to apply liquid that dries quickly and is a nearly invisible protective film.  Click for  Scarguard

   Acne Facial Scars