How to manage acne scars?

About

Acne scars appear after acne breakouts and are the marks on skin that indicate damage to the skin.
A 2010 study revealed that a lactic acid peel can be extremely helpful in treating and reducing the acne scars.

Out of the 60 million cases of acne reported, 20% are reported for scars in the U.S. alone.

These are self-diagnosable - appearance of small pits and spots on the skin.
Acne scars can be long lasting if not treated promptly.
Both men and women are equally affected by acne scars, though the severity can differ.
Today’s lifestyle, food habits, and pollution are the biggest factors causing skin breakout. It has to be noted that squeezing acne leads to damage of the underlying tissues and results in scarring.

Types:

Atrophic or depressed scars - These scars are formed when the wound is healing and the collagen in that area of the skin is not enough. Their subtypes are:
Ice pick-These are v-shaped and the most difficult to treat as they go deep into the skin.
Rolling-These are wide and irregular and have rounded edges.
Boxcar-These are u-shaped and are easy to treat.
Hypertrophic scars-These scars mainly appear on the chest and back owing to collagen formation while healing.
Dark spots-These are red, blue, or brown in color and heal on their own after two or three months.

Symptoms

• Dull skin
• Dark marks
• Redness
• Clogging of the pores

Treatment at Home

Self-care:
Only dark spots can be treated at home with the help of products containing lactic acid, retinoids, salicylic acid, or alpha hydroxy acid.
Using sunscreen before leaving home can help maintain the skin.
Medications:

Dermabrasion-Use wire brush or wheel in microdermabrasion kit to exfoliate the top layer of the skin.
Chemical Peeling-Use of strong acid to remove the top layer of the skin.
Laser Resurfacing-This treatment removes the top layer of the skin and heals your skin faster.
Fillers-It evens out the skin by filling the dents with collagen from your own skin or using commercial fillers.
Microneedling-A device containing small needles is rolled over the scars to puncture the skin and help it produce collagen.
Minor in-office surgery-It is plastic surgery where the scar is removed.

Specialists:

Some of the treatments may require dermatologists and repeated sittings and it is recommended to consult experts for treating deep scars.
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