How to Avoid Acne Scars

 Worried about acne scars? Most people with mild or moderate acne will recover from the condition without serious scarring. In cases of severe acne, though, scarring is almost inevitable.  But don't give up hope. New acne treatments can minimize scarring, and a variety of techniques are available to remove existing scars.  

Most pimples leave behind a discolored patch of skin. This is not really a scar and will usually clear up by itself within one year. Marks or skin defects that remain longer than one year are considered to be scars, and can be treated.

Preventing Acne Scars

You can prevent acne scars with a program of active treatment and self-control. One of the worst things you can do if you care about scarring is to pick pimples. Some people try to squeeze or remove blackheads or whiteheads, only making the problem worse. Not only does this spread the bacteria that causes acne, it damages the skin and leads to permanent scarring.

How To Treat Acne

Mild cases of acne can usually be self treated with over-the-counter medications, but more severe cases should be treated by a dermatologist. The doctor can prescribe oral medications as well as topical ointments for use on the skin. In some cases, the doctor will also physically remove blackheads or whiteheads and lance and drain pus-filled nodules. The dermatologist uses surgical instruments in a sterile environment to prevent infection. You should never attempt this at home, any more than you would try to remove your own appendix.

Hastening The Healing Process

Pimples form on the skin because of the presence of bacteria. These bacteria damage and inflame the skin. Once the acne has cleared up, the skin may appear discolored. This is part of the natural healing process, and the discoloration will disappear after a period of time.

This healing process can be hastened with the use of medications like Retin-A, Renova, and Alpha-Hydroxy Acids. Above all, avoid picking scabs that may form over old acne lesions. Scabs are a necessary part of the healing process. Picking them off exposes the skin unnecessarily, extending the time required for lesions to heal.

Treating Acne Scars

Scars left over from acne can be reduced or removed in a number of ways. If scars are not too severe, a chemical peel can be applied to the skin. This removes the microscopic top layer of the skin allowing the cells underneath to rejuvenate.

More severe scarring can be treated with lasers or dermabrasion. Lasers remove the damaged layer of skin and tighten the skin underneath to raise the depression caused by the scar. The process can be mildly painful so the dermatologist may use a local anesthetic to numb the skin. The healing process after laser treatment takes about 3 to 10 days.

Getting New Skin

Dermabrasion removes scars by scraping away the surface of the skin around the scarring. During the healing process a new layer of skin is formed to replace the scarred skin. Both dermabrasion and laser treatment can cause the skin to turn red, but this discoloration will disappear after a few months.