Are Acne Scars Permanent for Teens & Adults

If you’re dealing with acne scars on your skin and are staring at your reflection, wondering are acne scars permanent? Thankfully, they aren’t if you know how to treat them.  We’re here to reassure you that many types of acne scars can be remedied with targeted acne scar treatment. 

Let’s talk more in-depth about acne scarring, how to treat your current scars, how to prevent future ones, how to differentiate between acne marks vs acne scars, and what options your dermatologist may have to address your unique complexion.

What Causes Acne Scars?

Two factors can discern the likelihood of developing acne scars: how inflamed the acne lesion becomes, and how much or how little collagen your body produces to heal the lesion [1].  

Acne ensues when sebum (the oil our skin produces) and dead skin cells block hair follicles underneath the skin. These clogged pores allow bacteria that normally live on the skin to grow within the blocked follicle, causing inflammation. The body then produces collagen to heal the damaged tissue. The amount of collagen produced determines whether the scar will be atrophic (depressed scar) or hypertrophic (raised scar) [2].

The inflammatory effect happening here is the ruling cause of residual scarring. The more inflamed the lesion becomes, the more your skin tissue is damaged—and, as a result, the more likely scarring is to occur. 

Other risk factors for acne scarring include [3]:

• Acne cysts or nodules – Cystic acne is composed of acne cysts or nodules that penetrate deeply into the skin and can cause more permanent damage compared to less severe acne.
• Prolonged inflammation – The longer inflamed acne resides on the skin, the more tissue it has the power to damage.
• Popping zits – Though it may be tempting, picking, squeezing, popping, or otherwise agitating your spots can increase inflammation and worsen acne scarring. 
• Genetics – Having a blood relative that developed acne scars can signal that your genetics have some impact on your likelihood of experiencing acne scars. 

How Can I Treat Existing Acne Scars?

Just as everyone’s skin is different, acne scarring is not monolithic. Different types of acne scars that can form, and your dermatologist will recommend therapeutic options based on a unique scar’s nature and underlying cause. 

To begin understanding how to heal existing acne scars, start by identifying what kind of acne scars you have. There are two main types: atrophic and hypertrophic. 

Atrophic Scars

Boxcar scars, ice pick scars, and rolling scars are all versions of atrophic acne scars that appear flat and indented, causing depressed acne scars in the skin. 

More specifically, boxcar and rolling scars are broad depressions, with boxcar scars having sharply defined edges and rolling scars having sloping edges. Icepick scars are narrower and deeper and may look as though there are small “holes” in your skin [4]. 

Atrophic scars usually form from the body producing too little collagen during the healing process. To treat them, then, the solution is often to add collagen. Additionally, a dermatologist might recommend [5]:

• Collagen-induction therapies
• Resurfacing procedures
• Electrodesiccation
• Soft tissue augmentation
• Acne scar surgeries
• Skin tightening with radiofrequency

  Hypertrophic Scars

  These marks are often thick and lumpy, usually because the body produces too much collagen while healing, leading to a raised scar. Hypertrophic scars are especially common on the back and chest [6]. 

  Hypertrophic scars may be remedied with the help of these acne scar removal methods:

  • Laser treatment therapy
  • Cryosurgery
  • Acne scar surgeries
  • Scar creams, gels, and silicone dressings
  • Corticosteroid injections or injections of fluorouracil or interferon

How Can I Prevent Future Acne Scars?

The most effective method for preventing future acne scars may seem obvious but stands true to reason: preventing an acne breakout from occurring. The fewer breakouts you have, the less likely you’ll be to develop scars. Prevent breakouts by using an effective facial cleanser that will help clean your pores and exfoliate the dead skin cells away.

Some ways you can prevent breakouts and inflamed acne spots include:

• Use skincare products designed for your complexion – When you find a spot, you may feel the urge to grab the first acne-remedying product on the shelf and scrub away. Resist this urge, and instead, cleanse your skin with ingredients that are uniquely helpful for your complexion—whether that be oily, dry, sensitive, or all of the above. 
• Moisturize consistently – It might feel counterintuitive to moisturize an oily face. However, a quality moisturizer can prevent your skin from developing the sebum that clogs your pores in the first place. Using a daily moisturizer with SPF can help lock good oils in and keep pollutants and other debris out. Moisturizing your skin with a night cream can further help keep your skin moisturized and sebum-free.  
• Reviewing your lifestyle – Acne can be caused by various variables, including diet, exercise, overall cleanliness, hormonal changes, and more. If you’re suffering from breakouts, research and start tracking when the breakouts occur. The culprit (whether it’s that entire pizza you ate last night, the three weeks since you last washed your sheets, or how little sleep you’ve been getting) can help lead you to the root cause. 

Treat Your Unique Complexion with PROVEN

Your skin is bespoke to you and unique in its behavior— including your acne scars. To treat them, then, you need a solution that’s custom-fit for you. 

Enter: PROVEN Skincare. With our personalized formulas and nourishing ingredients, target acne scars at the source while treating your skin to the ingredients it needs most to heal and thrive. 

Take our skincare quiz today to curate your next healing skincare routine to cleanse, moisturize, and protect. The proof is in your future, clear reflection.

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