How to get rid of acne scars – tips for clear skin

I has been proven that at least 20% of all women have to deal with adult acne at some point in their lives. Acne is a terrible thing – it can appear on our face and body and is difficult to hide. Therefore, it can really affect our self-esteem. Furthermore, it can be a really tough thing to fight. And the worst part is that even after you find a way to heal your acne, the scars still remain to remind you of your battle. That, however, isn’t final. In this article we have decided to show you a few tips on how to get rid of acne scars and have clear skin. That, in turn, is going to boost your self-esteem and help with your confidence levels.

Hiding acne can be a tough task even with the best make up that’s out there

What are acne scars?

Acne scars appear when someone who is suffering from adult acne picks at their pimples too harshly. That creates a wound, which in turn leaves scarring. Depending on the type of scarring there are different treatments. Furthermore, we need to differentiate between scarring and pigmentation. Scarring occurs after picking and is usually uneven when you touch it. Hyperpigmentation on the other hand, appears usually with darker skin tones. Because they are richer in melanin. When there is some sort of bruising the melanin gathers at that spot making it to appear darker than the rest of the skin. Scarring and hyperpigmentation have completely different types of treatment, so keep in mind that today we are talking specifically about scarring.

This is what hyperpigmentation looks like

What are the different types of scarring?

As we have already mentioned there are different types of scarring. Three types to be exact:

• Rolling – this type of scarring has rounded edges and a rolling appearance, making your skin look uneven and bumpy at the touch.
• Boxcar – this is the type that is easier to treat. Boxcar scarring includes U-shaped scars with sharp edges. The shallower they are, the easier they are to treat.
• Ice pick – the most difficult one to treat. Ice pick scars are deep, V-shaped scars, which look like round holes in your skin. Because of their depth, the are the toughest one to treat.

Acne scarring is difficult to treat, but don’t ever let it sabotage your self-esteem and confidence

How to get rid of acne scars?

The first and most important thing you need to do is contact a dermatologist. Look for good references online or ask a friend about a dermatologist with a proven track record of treating acne scarring. That way you can see some before and after pictures which can help you set expectations for your treatment. Treating acne scarring is a daunting task, which takes a lot of patience and can be quite costly. But if you really want to do it have a conversation with a professional to set up a treatment plan. That is especially true if your acne is cystic and severe.

Contact a dermatologist to set up a treatment plan

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion uses a rapidly rotating tool, which removes the outer layer of your skin. This is a form of incredibly deep exfoliation which is only to be done by a trained professional. Because the outer layer of your skin is removed, this procedure works best for shallower acne scars, as well as wrinkles, dark spots and any other scarring. Once the skin regrows, it will appear smoother and the scarring will be less visible.

Dermabrasion should only be done by a trained professional

Chemical peels

Chemical peels also need to be done by a trained professional. This treatment includes your face being covered by strong acids, which once again remove the outer layer of your skin. This kind of treatment can be used for deeper scarring, because the acids seep into the skin on a deeper level. After a chemical peel you need to be extra careful when going outside. Stay away from the sun and wear sunscreen at all times.

Your face is covered with strong acids, which remove the outer layer of your skin

Microneedling

This is the most recent treatment, which has been found to have a great effect on all types of acne scarring. Although it takes more time, microneedling has become a preferred method for dermatologists all over the world. The treatment includes lots of small needles creating tiny punctures into your face. Because of that collagen rushes to the spot, filling up your skin and reducing the scarring. Microneedling is also great for getting rid of wrinkles.

Microneedling has been proven to work for acne scarring, as well as wrinkles

Take some advice from YouTube’s most famous skincare guru – Hyram

How to get rid of acne scars at home?

If your acne isn’t severe, chances are your scarring won’t be either. Once again, we strongly advise you to consult with a dermatologist first. Chances are, however, that they will also prescribe at home treatment. And there are several things, which can help reduce or even completely remove scarring, which you can use at the comfort of your own home. Be careful not to mix too many of these things at once, however. As we have already said multiple times, listen to your dermatologist and don’t go overboard with too many treatments, create a skin care routine, which works best for you and stick to it.

If your scarring isn’t severe you can try at home treatments

Alpha and beta hydroxy acids

Alpha hydroxxy acids, also knows as AHA and beta hydroxy acids, also known as BHA are incredibly important for all acne prone skin. Every product out there, which is targeted for fighting acne has these acids in their ingredient list. The most common ones you can find is the Glycolic acid, which is an alpha hydroxy acid and the Salicylic acid, which is a beta hydroxy acid. They are basically the substitutes of a chemical peel, which you can make at home. They clear the outer layer of your skin, therefore getting rid of scarring, as well as preventing new spots.

Using these acids mean you are making a chemical peel at home

How to get rid of scars using retinoids

Retinoids have been proven to help your skin immensly. Topical retinoids speed up cell regeneration, therefore smoothing out your skin. They help with scars, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and smooth out your skin texture. However, they make your skin super sensitive to the sun. That is why you should always use them either at night or you should always apply a heavy dose of sunscreen afterwards. Just look for products containing retinol.

We are going to let Dr. Shareene Idriss explain what retinoids are and how to use them

Retinol can be found in creams, serums and moisturizers

Always wear sunscreen

First of all it is important to note that you should wear sunscreen regardless of your skin type and color. The sun can be very haarmful. However, if you already have acne prone skin and are dealing with some scarring, wearing sunscreen becomes even more important. Scars, when affected by the sun can become darker, therefore can be more visible. That is why wearing sunscreen is of utmost importance. Because after all do you really want to deal with hyperpigmentation on top of scarring?

Never leave the house without sunscreen

Don’t forget that every skin is beautiful!

Create a skin care routine which allows you to pamper yourself

Wondering how to get rid of acne scars – perfect your skin care routine

Don’t ever pick at your acne – it only makes things worse