Managing Acne and Its Scars

Whether you are a teenager or an adult, dealing with acne can make you want to hide under your covers and never face the world again. Red bumps, inflammation, and the nightmare of permanent scarring can cause anxiety, low self-esteem, and depression. Many suffering from acne have tried more remedies than they can count and are just overwhelmed. 

Managing acne is easier than ever and yes, it is possible to both avoid, and treat, scarring! 

What is Acne?

Acne is a chronic condition involving the pores in areas of your skin (often on the face, chest, shoulders, and back) that become inflamed and irritated. Pimples are one of the many symptoms of acne, but a few here and there are normal when experiencing fluctuating hormones or dealing with oily/dirty skin. 

To resolve acne, treatment of some kind is usually required. That treatment can depend on the type and severity of the acne involved. Common forms of acne:

• Whiteheads and blackheads

• Papules

• Pustules 

• Nodules 

• Cysts

Causes of Acne

There are numerous things that cause and exacerbate acne. These can vary from person to person. Among some of the contributing factors are:

• Hormones called androgens

• Genetics

• Medications

• Steroids

• Unhealthy foods (sugar, processed wheat, etc.)

• Stress

• Smoke

• Finger oil

How to treat acne

Proper skin care, a healthy diet, and acne treatments can help manage your acne. 

1. Cleanse your face gently twice a day with a mild cleanser. Do not overwash or scrub your face.

2. Keep your face hydrated. Some acne products dry out the skin, so go for alcohol-free, gel-based moisturizers with ingredients like salicylic acid, and dimethicone. 

3. Watch your products. Stick to water-based, gel-based, oil-free skin care products that are gentle on your skin.

4. Try something natural. Mix up your face routine with some natural products containing oatmeal, lemon juice, honey, aloe vera oil, yogurt, cucumber, etc.

5. Keep your hands off. Popping those pimples raises your risk of scarring and your hands have their own variety of dirt and oils. 

6. Eat healthy and don’t stress. An imbalanced diet, lots of junk food, and stress will make your acne worse. 

Let’s Talk about Scarring

It is important to always keep in mind that scarring does NOT have to be permanent. There are many over-the-counter options that will not only help your overall acne, but also lighten scars and dark spots, reduce lesions, and speed up your cell regeneration. Check with your dermatologist about which products would be best your skin:

• Salicylic acid

• Retinoids

• Alpha hydroxy acids

• Lactic acid

Chemical peels, injections, and dermal fillers are some of the medical options your dermatologist can talk you through.

For those wanting to try some natural lightening options, there are several of those as well, though they have not been scientifically proven to reduce the appearance of scarring:

• Coconut butter

• Shea butter

• Aloe vera gel

• Raw honey

• Baking soda

• Lemon juice

Numerous people of all ages struggle with the anxiety and frustration surrounding acne. You are not alone and you do not need to spend the rest of your life hiding under those covers or walking around with heavy makeup on your face. 

Talk to a dermatologist today about your concerns. There are options for every skin type and your dermatologist will be able to help guide you to clearer skin .