Acne can be stressful and impact your overall well-being. However, some can be minimized by treatments and home remedies, while some may leave stubborn scar marks. There are several types of acne scars, and not all are the same. Some are shallow and may fade easily, while others can be deep. This article explains the different types of acne scars you may develop, identifying and dealing with them, the available treatments, and more. Keep reading to know more.
You will get atrophic scars if you suffer from severe cystic acne. These scars appear as shallow depressions on your skin. There are 3 types of atrophic scars:
Being able to identify the different types of atrophic acne scars can help you arrive at effective treatment options to get rid of them.
These scars are caused due to insect bites, surgery, acne, or chickenpox. They are formed by the excessive deposit of collagen under your skin (1). They manifest as raised lumps.
There are several treatments available to help manage the appearance of hypertrophic scars. Here are some of the options your doctor may recommend:
Hyperpigmentation
is not technically a scar, though it is often considered so. It happens when your acne heals and forms a discolored patch on your skin. This kind of hyperpigmentation can be treated with the use of a good sunscreen.
Identifying the type of scar you have can help you pick the right mode of treatment. However, the natural remedies listed in the next section could work on most scar types.
Tea tree oil possesses
strong anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties (2), (3). These properties may help reduce the scars by accelerating the wound healing process.
What You Will Need
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
Do it every day.
Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound that helps control the excess production of melanin (4). Melanin is the component that adds pigment to your scar, resulting in hyperpigmentation. Using turmeric on your face may help treat hyperpigmentation. Meanwhile, honey may help reduce acne scars, thanks to its wound healing and moisturizing properties (5).
What You Will Need
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
Do it 2 to 3 times a week.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that apple cider vinegar is a great exfoliant and may help exfoliate the upper layer of your skin. This action may help face acne scars.
What You Will Need
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
Do this every day.
Virgin coconut oil
is known for its moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties. It may fade your acne scars (6). Virgin coconut oil traps moisture under your skin and may potentially help reduce acne scarring. Moreover, the oil also helps in collagen production and may boost wound healing (7).
What You Will Need
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
Do this every day.
Honey is known for its wound healing and moisturizing effects (5). Anecdotal evidence suggests that lemon may work as a bleaching agent and help lighten your skin tone. These ingredients together may help fade the acne scars.
What You Will Need
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2 to 3 times a week.
Aloe vera
is known for its wound healing properties (8). Topical use of the plant may help reduce acne scars. Aloe vera also contains aloesin. Aloesin is believed to reduce the excess production of melanin in the skin, thereby reducing hyperpigmentation (9).
What You Will Need
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
Do this every day.
A blogger applied aloe vera on her acne-scarred face for 7 days to see if it would help reduce the appearance of acne scars. After seven days, she noticed that although the scars were not completely gone, they reduced significantly. She wrote, “My larger breakout areas completely smoothed out and the redness was minimized. A few blemishes also banished within the week of using Aloe Vera, mainly in the temple area (i).”
Pro Tip
You can also try moisturizing your skin with vitamin E oil directly or by mixing it with aloe vera gel to reduce the appearance of acne scars.
These are the natural remedies that have the potential to fade acne scars. However, direct research on these is limited. You may also opt for other cosmetic procedures to reduce your scars (after consulting your doctor). We have listed them below.
Using chemical peels may help exfoliate the outer layer of your skin. This may help reduce the appearance of your acne scars over time (10). Some of the widely used chemical peels are glycolic acid and salicylic acid. Both these acids are safe for use on the skin and deliver good results.
Laser therapy
is a process of removing the outer damaged layer of your skin. This procedure also helps stimulate collagen production (10). Opting for this procedure may help reduce acne scars. However, keep in mind that laser therapy may not help treat deep ice pick scars.
Microdermabrasion
is another method of exfoliating your face with the help of a diamond tip (10). This process also helps remove the damaged outer layer of your skin and may help fade the acne scars.
Micro-needling
is a process of creating tiny pricks on the surface of your skin. This process triggers your skin to produce collagen, which may help reduce the appearance of scars and improve skin texture (11).
Following are a few tips that may help prevent acne scars/reduce their severity.
Pro Tip
Exfoliate your skin once a week with natural ingredients like sugar, oats, or baking soda to speed up the process of scar removal and skin renewal.
Despite taking adequate measures, you may still have to consult a dermatologist. When should you do that?
Most people with acne scars do not need to consult a dermatologist as their scars fade away with the right treatment methods. However, if you observe no results despite prolonged treatment (more than a year), you may have to consult your dermatologist and consider alternative treatment options.
Acne scars may heal significantly over time, but they are unlikely to disappear entirely. They are, however, simple to treat if done correctly. Do not be concerned or stressed over them. Instead, use natural remedies, limit sun exposure, drink plenty of water, and keep a close eye on your diet. Acne scars usually heal on their own and improve with time. Unfortunately, treatment is required if you notice permanent changes in the skin color or indentations. It is critical to treat acne scars at the earliest if you want excellent outcomes. Following consultation with your dermatologist, you may seek medical treatment options.
Do acne scars worsen with age?
Yes, aging can result in loss of collagen and elasticity. This may result in your acne scars looking more severe (12).
Can acne scars spread?
Yes, this depends on the severity of the scar. Sallow lesions heal quickly without leaving a scar. Deeper acne lesions may spread to the nearby tissues which may result in a severe and noticeable scar.
Can acne scars turn white?
Yes, acne scars can turn white. This happens due to the loss of melanocytes from a trauma, inflammation, or injury.
Is it better to treat acne scars early?
Yes, treating acne scars early may prevent further acne and scarring. Consult your dermatologist for proper treatment.
Does massaging help acne scars?
Yes, anecdotal evidence suggests that facial massage may improve circulation and clear your skin of toxins. This may improve the overall appearance of your skin.
Is vitamin C serum good for acne scars?
Yes, sodium ascorbyl phosphate is a derivative of vitamin c that may reduce inflammation and acne scarring (13), (14).
Does benzoyl peroxide remove acne scars?
Yes, benzoyl peroxide has antibacterial properties that may kill bacteria and improve the appearance of your scars. It may also reduce the risk of developing acne scars further (15).
Does sleep help acne scars?
Studies suggest that lack of sleep may contribute to acne (16). Sleeping allows your skin to heal itself. However, sleep alone may not help improve acne scars. A combination of proper skincare routine, a well-balanced diet, a healthy lifestyle and right treatment may reduce your acne scars over time.
Can vitamin E oil help acne?
Yes, a combination of vitamin E and zinc may reduce inflammation, sebum levels, and acne lesions (17).
Explore professional treatments for different types of acne scars, ranging from laser therapy to chemical peels, and improve overall skin texture under the guidance of skin care professionals. Check the video below for more.
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Donna Kay Parrish is a licensed esthetician and an oncology certified reiki practitioner based out of Oxford, North Carolina. She worked as an operating room radiologic technologist at a Level I trauma center for 18 years before opening her own practice full time in esthetics.
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Annie Jangam is a researcher-turned-content writer with 11 years of experience. She enjoys dissecting complex clinical studies and shuffling through the scientific jargon to make science interesting and easy to understand.
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Eshna is an associate editor and a certified skin care coach. She has over three years of experience, a triple main bachelor’s degree in psychology, English, and journalism from Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and a master’s degree in psychology from Sampurna Montfort College, Bengaluru.
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Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends.
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