Acne scars – home remedies, treatments

TL;DR:

• Acne is a chronic skin condition caused by excess sebum, clogged follicles, hormones, and improper skin care.
• Acne scars form when dermis damage is replaced with fibrous tissue or excess collagen. Avoid picking at acne to prevent scarring.
• Types of scars:
• Atrophic: Includes ice-pick, boxcar, rolling, and shallow scars.
• Hypertrophic: Raised scars, often red/pink, but remain within wound boundaries.
• Keloids: Raised scars that spread beyond the original wound.
• Discoloration scars: Lacking melanin, creating white spots.
• Home treatments: Coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, aloe vera, and vitamin E-rich diets.
• Effective medical treatments:
• Laser removal for collagen regeneration.
• Platelet-rich fibrin mesotherapy for natural healing.
• Scar undercutting to release adhesions.
• Additional options: Dermapen, chemical peels, radiofrequency (Spadeep), and hyaluronic acid boosters.
• Topical creams can help but are usually less effective than professional treatments.

Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of the hair and sebaceous follicles. It appears most often on the face, décolleté, shoulders and back. Its main causes are overproduction of sebum, keratosis at the hair and sebaceous estuaries, hormonal disorders, and improper skin care. Most people have struggled or are struggling with the problem of acne. This ailment can appear in both teenagers and adults. Unfortunately, any acne lesion can cause scarring.

What contributes to the formation of acne scars?

The reason for the appearance of acne scars is damage to the dermis and deeper layers of the skin. Each lesion is a risk of scar or discoloration, so first of all, you should not remove them yourself, as this can lead to a secondary increase in inflammation and skin damage. In such cases, the body fills the damage with fibrous connective tissue. The skin also produces collagen, which aids in reconstruction.

Types of acne scars.

We mainly associate skin problems with young people, but in fact acne is unequal to acne, so the nature of scars can also vary. Treatment of acne scars, therefore, requires first of all an accurate diagnosis in order to select a treatment that will effectively and permanently improve the appearance of the complexion. We can most simply divide acne scars into:

• Hypertrophic – protruding above the surface of the skin,
• Atrophic – depressions in the skin,
• Discolored.

Atrophic scars are by far the most common, and there are 4 types among them:

• Spike-shaped (ice-pick),
• In the shape of a wagon (boxcar),
• In a cylindrical shape (rolling),
• Shallow (atrophic).

Sometimes acne also leads to hypertrophic scars and keloids. Hypertrophic (hypertrophic) scars usually take the form of red or pink raised areas that do not extend beyond the boundary of the wound. They most often appear on the back, jaw or cheeks. The cause of such lesions is poorly treated or untreated acne in the form of papules and cysts. Over time, hypertrophic scars tend to flatten, but they do not disappear on their own. Keloids can be distinguished from hypertrophic scars by histopathological examination. In addition, such lesions differ in appearance. Keloids extend beyond the boundaries of the wound and infiltrate the surrounding skin, and enlarge over time instead of becoming less visible. These types of lesions most often appear on the back and chest. Acne scar treatment is also effective for atrophic lesions. The deepest of these are ice-pick scars, which have a V-like cross-section and resemble damage from a sharp tool, hence their name ice-pick. Boxcar-type scars are wide and flat, with a round or oval shape. A distinctive feature is clearly defined edges – such lesions usually appear on the cheeks and jaws. Instead, less distinct borders have rolling scars, which develop due to chronic inflammation. They often form clusters or even merge together. They make the skin have an uneven texture, which is especially visible in strong light. Flat scars also often appear on the cheeks, which have clearly defined borders, and the loss of tissue makes characteristic "pits" appear on the skin. Acne can also lead to discolored scars, which appear due to a lack of melanin in acne-damaged areas. Thus, white discoloration on the skin can be seen, which is the biggest challenge when treating acne scars. A process of granulation, or wound healing, occurs. Unfortunately, this natural process is often not enough and then atrophic scars appear. Uncontrolled cell growth can also occur, resulting in hypertrophic scars.

Home remedies for acne scars.

Long-term and regular care of scars at home can make them less visible. Most home treatments should be applied twice a day. Coconut oil, which contains fatty acids and antioxidants, is often used for this purpose, moisturizing and increasing collagen production. Coconut oil has a positive effect especially on fresh acne scars. Home remedies, which support natural skin regeneration, can be applied using apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. [read url="https://otcoclinic.com/section/aesthetic-medicine/" text="Removing acne blemishes – step by step"]. The acids contained in them remove dead skin and cleanse the skin. The product should be left on the skin for up to ten minutes twice a day, then rinse and moisturize the skin with a cream. Unfortunately, if there is burning and irritation, this method must be abandoned. Reduction of scars and inflammation is aided by a highly moisturizing aloe vera gel. It is worth supporting the regeneration of the skin also through a proper diet. It should include products that contain a lot of vitamin E. So you can not miss wheat germ, corn and barley, as well as almonds, soybeans, green beans and vegetable oils.

What should an ointment for acne scars contain?

Ointments and creams for acne scars should contain vitamin E and aloe vera, which are responsible for moisturizing and nourishing the skin. Vitamin E also stimulates natural collagen production. A good cream for acne scars may include extracts of Centella Asiatica and Scots pine. Their action is to facilitate proper epithelialization of the skin, which contributes to the reconstruction of its structure. They also stimulate the production of collagen and fibroblasts, reducing the homeostatic process in the epidermis. Acne scar ointment that effectively supports scar removal contains allantoin, heparin and onion extract, which make the scar more elastic and reduce the risk of unsightly overgrowth.

How to remove acne scars? Quick and effective treatments

Unfortunately, removing scars with the help of creams and anything** applied at home for acne scars** is usually very lengthy, and often even proves to be impossible. The fastest and most effective way to acne scars is laser removal treatment. The light beam creates microscopic pinholes on the surface of the skin, causing an imperceptible mesh. Ma method stimulates the natural regeneration of the epidermis, thus reducing the visibility of the lesion. The laser stimulates the production of collagen fibers and elastin making the skin smoother, regaining its natural color and firmness. The therapy results in skin repair even in its deep layers. Depending on the extent of the lesions, it can last from ten to forty-five minutes. Local anesthesia ensures that the procedure is painless.

For deep acne scars, filling with platelet-rich fibrin will also be a good option. Mesotherapy with fibrin involves the subcutaneous injection of a nourishing substance into the scar area, using a very fine needle. The product is derived from the patient's blood, properly isolated before the procedure, so it is completely natural and safe. The blood taken from the vein is subjected to centrifugation, in order to separate the individual components. The fibrin contains growth factors, platelets and stem cells that stimulate the skin to regenerate and revitalize. The procedure takes fifteen to thirty minutes, and as a result, scars gradually become shallower.

The method of undercutting scars is also an effective treatment. It works especially well for treating concave scars and often complements laser therapy. It's a way to reduce atrophic scars, which are remnants of inflammation caused by acne vulgaris, among other conditions. The process involves inserting a special needle or cannula under the surface of the collapsed scar and moving it with precision. In this way, the specialist breaks up adhesions and separates the scar from the muscle fascia, avoiding injury to the adjacent tissues.

What other ways do we list for acne scars?

Subcision treatment, platelet-rich fibrin and laser therapy are not the only ways to treat acne scars. Satisfactory results are also achieved:

• Dermapen – whose head looks like a pen (that's where the name comes from). Tiny needles protrude from its tip, which puncture the skin, thus forcing it to remodel and regenerate intensively. It's a great way to treat acne scars and is extremely well-liked by patients.
• Spadeep – or modern radiofrequency wave. Recommended especially for people who are afraid of needle treatments. It gives excellent results in terms of skin thickening and allows deep penetration at the level chosen by the doctor.
• Skinbooster, plasma – both preparations can be used during mesotherapy – micro-needle or needle. The former mentioned is based on hyaluronic acid, while the latter is spun from blood previously drawn from the patient. Both methods for acne scars work well, and it is worth consulting with your doctor as to which one you choose. The second one works well for allergy sufferers.

Acne scar treatment should be supported by chemical peels performed under the guidance of a dermatologist and acid treatments. In this way, the impacts will be varied, and the skin will gain a more beautiful appearance in a short time. Acne scars are not the end of the world, but a problem that can be dealt with with properly selected treatments!

Conclusion

Acne scars may seem daunting, but they are manageable with the right approach. From recognizing various scar types to exploring treatments like lasers, mesotherapy, and subcision, there are effective solutions for every need. Home care and proper skincare also support improvement. While patience is key, modern treatments provide hope for smoother, healthier skin. Consult a trusted specialist to select the right option and start your journey to clearer skin today. You don’t have to live with scars—solutions are within reach.