Acne's Repercussions on Your Body

Lesions, once they have healed, can sometimes leave behind persistent traces of their presence. Understanding the underlying workings of your skin can help you limit the long-term damage caused by acne scarring, despite the fact that it is difficult to totally avoid acne scarring.

What are the causes of scarring from acne? Acne scars are, to put it in the simplest terms possible, visual reminders of an injury and the subsequent regeneration of tissue. When damage occurs to a piece of tissue, the body immediately dispatches its "repair team" to the affected area. White blood cells and a wide variety of inflammatory chemicals are members of this highly specialized team, which works to eliminate infections and repair damaged tissue. However, even after the infection has been eliminated, the tissue may not be able to be returned to its previous condition.

Who is most likely to have scars left behind from acne? It is not fully understood how or why people get acne scars, yet many people have them. There is a significant amount of diversity among people, which leads us to believe that some people are simply more predisposed to developing acne scars than others. People who are prone to acne scars frequently discover a hereditary connection as well; the severity of your scarring and the type of scar you develop can "run in the family. There is also a significant amount of diversity in the "life history" of individual scars. Some people will have acne scars for the rest of their lives with very little change, while others will have their scars fade away throughout the course of their lives. We do know that people who have the most severe kinds of inflammatory acne, which involve deep nodular lesions, are more likely to experience scarring as a result of their condition.

How can I prevent my acne from leaving scars?

Because there is so little that is known about what makes one person scar easier than another, the best strategy to reduce scarring is to prevent acne from occurring in the first place. It is essential to begin treatment for the disease as soon as possible and to continue it for the required amount of time. Scarring will be reduced in proportion to the amount of inflammation that can be avoided. If you do get acne lesions, it is imperative that you treat them with the appropriate medication rather than squeezing or picking at them. When you touch your skin in any way, whether by squeezing blemishes with your fingernails or poking them with a pin, you considerably increase the risk of causing harm to the surrounding tissue. This, in turn, raises the likelihood that the lesion will leave a permanent scar and that acne scar treatment will be required.

It is important to keep in mind that a pimple that is irritating you today will go away shortly if you let it be, but if you pick at it, it may remain on your face permanently. Visit a dermatologist or an aesthetician for scar therapy that is risk-free and performed by a trained specialist if you have a very bothersome lesion.

One more thing to keep in mind is that a healthy body heals more quickly and completely; therefore, you should never discount the significance of leading a healthy lifestyle. Consume a diet that is rich in all food groups, get plenty of relaxation, and drink a lot of water. Use a sunscreen that does not contain oil to protect yourself from the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays if you have to go outside for work or play. Excessive sun exposure can cause scars to become more noticeable and last longer. Smoking, which you are aware is a bad habit, depletes the important oxygen and collagen stores in your skin, produces free radical damage, and deposits pollutants, which makes your skin more susceptible to aging and acne scars.

Healing acne scars and preventing new ones from appearing is the goal of acne scar treatment. You can learn more about the Proactiv® Solution by clicking here.

Different kinds of acne scars

First, I have some encouraging news on the recovery process. Acne scars are characterized by a flattening of the inflamed area, which is followed by the appearance of a ruddy mark. It could look like a scar from acne, but what you're actually looking at is a macule, which is the ultimate stage of an acne lesion. Macules can remain on the skin for as long as six months, although they do not leave behind any lasting acne scars.

The same can be said for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which is characterized by a darkening of the skin at the site of a healing acne lesion. These spots, which are most common in African-American, Asian, and Latino populations, can remain on the skin for up to 18 months; however, they may fade away more rapidly if you avoid the sun. Macules and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation are both examples of what is referred to as "pseudo-scarring" due to the fact that they eventually fade away completely.

Acne can leave behind two distinct types of genuine scars: acne scars induced by enhanced tissue production and acne scars caused by tissue loss. Keloid scars, also known as hypertropic scars, are less prevalent than other types of scars and appear to be genetic. Patients of African-American, Asian, and Latino descent are the most likely to have this condition. The formation of keloid scars happens when the cells of the skin react to an injury by manufacturing an excessive amount of collagen. This excess collagen then forms lumpy fibrous masses, which can most commonly be found around the jaw line and on the back or chest. Acne scars typically have a raised, glossy appearance and can be present for years after the condition has cleared up.

Scars from acne that were created by tissue loss are significantly more common and can take a variety of forms, including the following:

Acne scars that are soft have borders that are curled and gently sloping, and they blend in with the surrounding skin. In most cases, they are on the diminutive side, circular or linear in form, and velvety to the touch.

Acne scars resembling ice picks Ice-pick scars are typically somewhat shallow but quite deep, with a jagged edge and steep sides. They are most frequently encountered on the cheek. Scars that are as hard as ice picks are difficult to heal, but those that are soft to the touch may be eased by extending the skin over the affected area.

Acne scars that are depressed and fibrotic. Ice-pick scars have the potential to develop into depressed fibrotic scars with the passage of time. These likewise feature jagged edges and steep sides, but their bases are significantly broader and more stable.

Atrophic macules, which are a type of acne scarring that is most prevalent in Caucasians, have a base that is soft and slightly wrinkled. This discoloration may decrease with time to a delicate ivory tone. When the scar is new, blood vessels that close below the surface may cause it to have a purplish appearance. When they appear on the face, atrophy macules are often quite small, but they can grow to be at least one centimeter in size on other parts of the body.

Acne sufferers have an increased risk of developing follicular macular atrophy, particularly on the chest and back. These whitehead-like lesions are often small and soft, and they can last for months or even years. They are similar to whiteheads that haven't fully developed.

Are there any treatments for acne scars?

A treatment for acne scars does exist, to answer your question in a nutshell. Bleaching agents have the ability to reduce the appearance of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and macules. Topical resurfacing drugs, such as Retinol, which is available in several over-the-counter forms as well as in prescription treatments such as Retin-A and Renova, can be used to treat some of the superficial acne scarring that can be caused by acne. Microdermabrasion (usually requiring a minimum of 6–8 treatments) or dermatologic surgery are two therapeutic options that can help improve the appearance of other types of scarring.

There is a chance that it will not be feasible to return your skin to the way it looked before you were affected by acne; nonetheless, if the scars on your skin have a substantial impact on your mental health, it is something you should give some thought to. There are a variety of treatments available for scars; speaking with a dermatologist is the best way to determine whether or not your particular condition can be addressed and, if so, in what way.