We all dreaded the mornings waking up to a “Contagion” level acne outbreak on our face. And as if that trauma is not enough, you're left with scars and that’s just straight up wrong. Those scars can be a constant reminder of bad memories and keep you from feeling fully confident in your skin. That’s why one of the most commonly asked questions we get is what to do about acne scars.
There is a lot to understand about your scars before you decide how to take care of them. Perhaps most important is being able to identify what type of scar is at hand (or face, in this case). Here are some of the most common types of acne scars and how you can help reduce their appearance.
Atrophic Scars
A common scar caused by acne is an atrophic scar. These are pretty easy to identify. An atrophic scar is when the scar is lower than the surrounding skin. Sometimes you may hear atrophic scars referred to as pitted scars. They are caused by a lack of collagen production during the healing process.
There are a few different types of atrophic scars. Icepick scars appear exactly as they sound, tiny holes in the skin that look like they were made with – drumroll…. an icepick. Another common atrophic scar is called a boxcar scar. These are similar to icepick scars but a bit wider. Rolling scars round out the types of atrophic scars caused by acne. These scars get their name from their likeness to rolling hills.
Atrophic scars can be tough to deal with, since most topical scar management products focus on reducing the amount of collagen during the healing process rather than adding it. Severe atrophic scars often require assistance from your dermatologist, so our recommendation is to consult him or her to decide the proper treatment.
Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars
Other scars commonly caused by acne outbreaks are keloid and hypertrophic scars. Both of these scars are raised above the skin around the surrounding area, the exact opposite characteristic of atrophic scars. Their cause is an increase in collagen production during the healing process, the exact opposite cause of atrophic scars.
There are a few ways you can attack a raised scar, but the most recommended is with silicone. This is the number one ingredient to look for in scar management. A scar gel such as RejuvaSil helps create a barrier over the wound to decrease collagen production. The great thing about this silicone scar gel is that it dries clear. Which is pretty important, because it’s on your face.
The final remnant of an acne breakout that we want to point out is hyperpigmentation. This is a dark spot or discoloration that’s noticeably different from the surrounding skin.
Hyperpgimentation
A common treatment for hyperpigmentation is a chemical peel. Some topical products may also be able to help manage the color of this skin issue. Look for ingredients that target discoloration or that are specifically designed to treat hyperpigmentation.
Your skin is beautiful, no matter what, and you deserve to feel comfortable with the skin you're in. Whether you're looking for something to help treat unwanted acne scars, stretch marks, or even to combat the effects of aging, we've got you covered!