Acne scars: how to get rid of them?

Every battle against acne is never fun: once the pimples give up, they sometimes leave behind scars that are sometimes difficult to get rid of. To find out how to fade these marks, here are some pro tips.

CAN YOU RECOGNIZE YOUR TYPE OF SCAR ?

If there was only one type of scar, everything would be much simpler, but unfortunately, there are 3, all very different from each other :

Atrophic scars

Atrophic scars, also called “ice picks”, appear in the form of hollows. They appear when an inflamed wound does not heal properly , the connective tissue is insufficient to recreate an even skin surface, or the “dry scab” is torn off before it eventually falls off on its own.

Hypertrophic scars

Also called Keloids, hypertrophic scars can be recognized by their raised and slightly swollen character. They are generally created when one or more pimples become inflamed and the skin produces excess new “lower quality” tissue. A phenomenon regularly observed on the darkest skin.

Pigment scars

These are the most common but fortunately, they are also the ones that leave as quickly and easily as possible . Red, brown, purple or pink... They can take on different colors depending on the pigmentation of your skin and appear following inflammation of a button . In this case, melanin production is intensified by the sun's rays and can accumulate after healing. This is how it leaves one or more visible spots on the skin.

For white scars the process is different. Formerly pink, purple or red, they have reached their healing maturity and are now turning white. They therefore no longer have pigments and are now very difficult to blend.

HOW TO GET RID OF AN ATROPHIC SCAR ?

Focus on hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is one of the most effective treatments for filling the hollow in the area to be treated. As an injection or as a cream to apply in the evening before bed, this cosmetic ingredient fills the tissues and allows them to enhance in order to give a smooth appearance to the scar.

Go laser

If hyaluronic acid proves ineffective in filling scars, the best solution to approach remains the laser . By heating the skin deeply, this process introduces a new synthesis of collagen which fills the area to be treated.

The dermabrasion generated by this technique allows a clear improvement in the entire aesthetic aspect of the scar or even its complete disappearance.

Acne scars, laser

HOW TO GET RID OF A HYPERTROPHIC SCAR ?

Hypertrophic scars come from a healing defect and have a very complex recovery process. The reason ? This type of scar is generally due to genetics and is therefore difficult to treat due to the number of relapses that accompany it. As you will have understood, stimulating healing via slightly offensive techniques will therefore not be of any help in overcoming it. The best solution ? Try to “stabilize” it by applying silicone dressings and injecting corticosteroids for 3 to 6 weeks.

Radiotherapy

If corticosteroid injections do not help reduce the volume of the scar, it is time to move on to radiotherapy treatment. How ? By irradiating the keloid from the inside internally or by intra-scar brachytherapy. A solution that is most often associated with an act of “initial reduction” to weaken the scar .

acne, pimples

Don't touch it too much

Since keloids are scars that tend to enlarge, it is best to avoid touching or scratching them too much . The risk ? Rubbing fingers or nails can excite collagen production. Result: the scar swells and begins to contaminate “healthy” areas of the skin, but not only that: it can also become inflamed and become painful and itchy.

Don't touch it too much

acne, pimples

HOW TO GET RID OF A PIGMENT SCAR ?

Make gentle scrubs

Twice a week, after having properly removed your make-up, use a gentle scrub to refine the skin's texture. A good way to make the scar less visible but also and above all to unify the epidermis in order to make it smoother and therefore more uniform .

Apply a depigmenting treatment

When the scar turns brown, pink or purple, a depigmenting treatment can be useful to fade the spots over time by inhibiting the transport of melanin to the upper layers of the skin. Apply morning and evening for best effects.

Use an SPF

Whatever it is, it is very important not to expose a scar to the sun , as this risks making it more visible and making it last over time. For risk-free exposure (or even to go shopping in the city), use a protective sun filter . Apply it as the last step of your beauty routine, just after your moisturizer. Thanks to it, your scars are protected from the sun and from the inflammatory response of the skin which will produce brown pigments to protect itself from the rays.

Last solution: the laser!

Sun, unsuitable care... It sometimes happens that pigment scars last and it is particularly difficult to make them disappear. As a last resort, the most suitable solution remains the ablative laser .

They make it possible to obtain an improvement of 26 to 83% in patients with hyperpigmented scars. How ? Thanks to a deep skin warming process. Visually, the dermabrasion caused by these lasers allows an improvement in the aesthetic appearance, or even their disappearance in the case of the finest and smallest scars. The sessions are carried out, in the majority of cases, after a simple anesthesia with cream delivered in a pharmacy or by the practitioner, to be applied one to two hours before the procedure.