While some are fortunate to leave acne break-outs behind with adolescence, many people continue to struggle with acne well into adulthood. Even if skin flare-ups decline over the years, acne scarring is something that can still be a frustrating and embarrassing issue no matter your age. So what causes acne scarring? And when you want to put your best face forward, what are your options for dealing with this condition?
Acne is an inflammatory condition involving the sebaceous glands in the skin. Skin follicles become blocked with oil, dead skin cells and bacteria, and eventually rupture, causing blemishes or pimples. Often, these ruptures are minor and occur near the skin’s surface, making the healing process fast. However, if the follicle’s rupture is deeper and the area inflamed – either randomly or from picking at problem areas – infected material can spill out into the surrounding skin and destroy healthy tissue. When the skin mends itself with collagen fibers, the repaired area can have a scarred appearance. Whether you’re a teenager or an adult, acne scarring can cause a great deal of insecurity and annoyance. So what can you do to reduce this scarring? There are a variety of effective methods.
Natural Remedies
The key to reducing acne scarring is reducing inflammation as much as possible, and there are many natural solutions that are known for working wonders.
Renowned for its powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, tea tree oil can be used as a spot treatment for skin blemishes to calm the skin and allow it to heal. Just apply a few drops to a cotton ball and dab on affected areas.
Coconut oil is also at the top of the list for its incredible moisturizing abilities. The skin’s overproduction of oil is often due to dehydration, so keeping it nice and moist is key. Coconut oil melts upon contact, making it easily seep into pores for ultimate moisture.
Cucumbers have long been representative of a day at the spa – and for good reason. This super-hydrating vegetable contains vitamins A, C, and magnesium, all of which are beneficial for your skin. Just cut a few slices and leave them on affected areas for fifteen minutes. And while you’re waiting, have a glass of water. It might seem obvious, but water is as basic and as natural as it gets for maintaining healthy skin. Sufficient water consumption keeps your organs and blood hydrated so they don’t have to mooch water from skin cells. Your skin stays resilient and elastic, reducing the odds that it will wind up overcompensating by overproducing problematic oils. Hydration is key!
Microneedling
If you’re looking for a more vigorous treatment for stubborn acne scars than essential oils or natural products but want something that’s minimally invasive, why not try microneedling? eDermaStamp® by Dermaroller ® Scar Therapy rejuvenates skin by applying fine needles into the dermis. This process helps to release old scar tissue and stimulate new skin cell growth while boosting blood circulation for smoother, refreshed skin. By stimulating healthy cell renewal, the skin tightens and fills out, dramatically diminishing fine lines, wrinkles, and, of course, acne scars. Dermaroller ® technology requires experience and expertise for best results, and our team at IGBeauty Studio offers exactly that. A first-class cosmetology clinic, IGBeauty allows our patrons to experience eDermaStamp® procedures in a clean, safe and soothing environment. With a team of experts on hand, clients have peace of mind and guidance during the procedure and afterward. For optimal results, multiple treatments are recommended. Dermaroller ® systems are available for purchase at IGBeauty Studio so that clients can continue the rejuvenating process at home. Proper home care, with the guidance of the IGBeauty professionals, will ensure skin healing will progress.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a non-chemical, non-invasive procedure that uses tiny crystals to exfoliate the outer layer of dead skin cells on the face, revealing the rejuvenated layer underneath. Your skin will feel softer and look more even. The exfoliation promotes circulation, which increases skin renewal, and by reducing surface cell build-up, your daily cleansing and moisturizing routine will be more effective. Again, hydrated skin is happy skin! This simple treatment can be used to target light acne scarring, however, the polishing action of the micro-crystals might irritate active acne, so, as always, consulting with one of our experts at IGBeauty is essential in determining if this is the best option for you.
Laser Acne Scar Treatment
For an alternative option with no recovery time, minimal side effects and excellent results, perhaps Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) laser treatment is what you’re looking for. IPL has proven quite effective in treating acne bacteria and evening out skin redness by using flashes of light to spot-treat problem areas on the skin. Lumenis® IPL treatments penetrate through the layers of the skin, largely eliminating acne-causing bacteria and reducing the dreaded inflammation that can lead to scarring. The IGBeauty team can customize your treatments based on skin type and desired outcome. For a laser therapy that is specifically designed to target existing acne scars, Lumenis® Resurfx™ could be a perfect choice. The advanced laser system targets scarring by stimulating the natural production of collagen in the deep layers of skin. Even just one treatment can effectively smooth the appearance of scars and improve skin tone and texture, but for most clients, four to six treatments, with a four-week break in between each treatment, is the norm. The results are noticeable and long-lasting. All Lumenis® laser technologies are Health Canada approved and widely used and recommended by professionals all over the world, including our dedicated IGBeauty team.
At IGBeauty, we know how much you want to put your best face forward, and acne scarring makes it difficult to do that without feeling frustrated and insecure. Let our team of professionals inform and guide you in choosing the best possible option for your specific skin type and goals. Just need a bit of a freshening up? It’s possible you just need to hydrate and incorporate some tested and truly natural products to give your skin a boost. But if your skin needs more attention, our microneedling, microdermabrasion or laser acne scar treatment could be just the thing for a confident fresh-faced you. Contact us for more information or to make an appointment with one of our skin experts.
