What Is Acne Scarring?
Acne scars are the unwelcome remnants of past breakouts & in your skins eye - past trauma to the skin. These post acne scars can present as either indentations or raised bumps on your skin & occur when the skin can't regenerate enough tissue to heal smoothly, while having to produce collagen too quickly, resulting in a noticeable change to the skins surface.
The two main types of acne scars are:
It’s important to point out the difference in these 2 types of scarring, from the most common concern post acne - which is ‘post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or erythema (PIHP or PIE)’.
PIHP OR PIE appears flat to touch & often appears as marks on the skins surface (purple or red = PIE & brown = PIHP - this will be different person to person depending on your skin tone) and are left behind as a result of the inflammation that acne creates in the skin.
PIHP and PIE is a discolouration within the skin, not a textural change, and requires different treatment approaches, compared to acne scarring.
The good news - is that PIHP & PIE are not permanent and much easier to treat & improve!
How Do I Tell the Difference Between Acne Scars and PIHP or PIE?
If the marks left after your acne has healed have textural changes - such as indents or raised textures, they are true acne scars.
If the marks left post acne have no change in texture to the area, you’re dealing with PIHP or PIE. Hyperpigmentation can take months to lighten, especially in darker skin tones.
Incorporating natural ingredients into your daily skincare routine such as - Vitamin C, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), and natural extracts such as Kakadu Plum, Davidson plum, Sea buckthorn berry & Liquorice root, can be effective in clearing PIHP & PIE.
Can Acne Scars Be Prevented?
Preventing acne scars involves preventing acne itself, which can be challenging. Working with a skin specialist can help you develop a personalised treatment plan to help support the skin in its functions & overall health - helping to prevent acne & for acne skins - prevent scarring as much as possible.
One universal tip: avoid picking at your acne! This will only cause more inflammation and trauma to the area and will prolong the healing process & increase the risk of acne scarring developing. Pimple patches can be a helpful tool to resist the urge to pick, while helping to calm inflammation & speed up skin healing.
How Long Does It Take for Acne Scars to Heal?
The healing time for acne scars varies based on individual factors like age, genetics and overall skin health. While scars can fade & soften naturally over time, specialised professional treatments & skincare, can fasten this healing process.
Options include:
Light based treatments such as laser and IPL: Effective for both atrophic and hypertrophic scars helping to resurface the skin - quickly softening the scar appearance and texture, while improving overall skin tone.
Chemical Peels: Especially effective for PIHP & PIE & can be beneficial for both atrophic and hypertrophic scars - helping to soften the appearance and texture of the skin, while improving overall skin tone.
Skin needling: Depending on the layer we work - we can stimulate collagen production & soften tissue - to assist with both atrophic and hypertrophic scars, while balancing pigment production & evening skin tone - to help remove the stubborn discolouration (PIHP & PIE) that can be left behind post breakout.
This treatment also has the ability to create oxygen within the surface layers of the skin - helping to destroy stubborn bacteria that can cause acne to form in the first place - making this treatment a great treatment to treat and prevent acne.
How Can I Treat Acne Scarring at Home?
A key aspect of treating acne scarring is repairing the skin barrier & supporting skin cell health, to promote skin healing and resilience.
- Ensuring you are using barrier-loving ingredients in your daily routine, a gentle form of vitamin A such as our Renewal Booster, while focusing on maintaining skin hydration levels, will ensure your skin has ultimate protection & can function optimally - improving ongoing skin function and clarity.
- Our Hydrate & Renew Pack is a great way to simply support your skins barrier function & hydration levels, while repairing skin cell damage - assisting with ongoing skin healing and healthy collagen production.
- For at-home care, continue using gentle, natural exfoliants to even out skin tone and prevent future breakouts.
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Using natural fruit acids - such as AHAs, along with brightening extracts, will help continue to lift discolouration and even skin tone.
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Our AHA enzyme exfoliator offers an instant skin-pick-me-up for the skin, instantly rejuvenating & brightening tone and over time, improving scarring.
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Using a micro needle roller 3-4x per week, after cleansing and before product use, will help to quickly lighten stubborn discolouration (PIHP & PIE) & soften scarring, that can be left once acne has healed. The micro needles will gently puncture into the skins surface layer as you glide across the skin; helping to stimulate cell function, balance pigment production & improve skin healing.
- Consistent sunscreen use is crucial, especially after professional treatments, to protect your skin and prevent further discolouration.
Should I Seek Professional Help for Acne Scarring?
For severe scarring, we recommend consulting with a dermal therapist. They have the skills and knowledge to assess your skin and create a customised treatment plan, ensuring the best results for your skins specific needs,
If you're in Melbourne, we invite you to visit our 5-star Fresh Face Skin salon or if your interstate - book in for an online consult, for personalised, professional care. Our Fresh Face Skin experts are here to help you achieve your best skin yet, while educating you on what your skin is doing and why; providing you with support and clarity on your skin journey.
At Fresh Face Skin, we believe everyone deserves the confidence that comes with clear, healthy skin. Our range of 100% natural, toxic free & effective skincare products have been designed to nurture your skin, helping you to achieve long term skin results.
Join our community and take the first step towards empowered, beautiful skin today.
