Different scars and how to treat them
Once you’ve managed to get your acne under control, unfortunately it’s common to be left with some acne scarring.
There are many different types of scarring and they vary in severity. Some types fade on their own whereas others require treatment. It usually depends on how aggressive your acne was and whether you squeezed/ picked your spots.
Here are the most common types of acne scars and the best ways to treat them:
Hyperpigmentation
This is when your skin produces too much pigment (melanin), often after you have picked a spot. It can appear as red/ brown flat marks on the skin.
How do you treat it?
Hyperpigmentation will fade with time, although it can take months or even years in some cases. But there are some things you can do to speed up this process.
Stay out of the sun/ protect your scars with SPF50 or above as the sun can actually increase hyperpigmentation.
Exfoliate regularly. Removing the top layer of skin will help to encourage skin cell turnover and fade your scars quicker.
Use our Anti-blemish and Scar Repair Serum. This contains Chitoderm which helps to stop the production of melanin (the dark pigment that gives scars their colour). It also regenerates your skin cells at a much higher rate without drying out your skin, helping to quickly fade any post acne hyperpigmentation.
Ice Pick Scars
These normally heal/ improve with time, but some don’t unless you seek more intense treatment.
How do you treat it?
These types of scars are more difficult to remove at home but here are some ways you can help to improve them:
Try using our Anti-Blemish-Serum. This is designed with an intense dose of Chitoderm to regenerate your skin cells and help boost collagen production, which can help to reduce the appearance of ice pick scars.
Laser resurfacing and microdermabrasion can also help reduce these types of scars, if they are really affecting your confidence. Book an appointment with your GP or Dermatologist to discuss the best options for you.
Rolling Scars
Rolling scars have a varying depth, with sloping edges that make skin appear wavy and uneven. They’re often more visible in certain lights and angles.
How can they be treated?
These types of scars often become less visible over time, but they won’t go without treatment unfortunately. There’s not much that can be done topically to improve these types of scars but there are a few options which you can discuss with your GP/ Dermatologist to reduce their appearance:
Microdermabrasion and chemical peels. These help to remove the top layer of skin which can make the skin appear smoother and more even.
Microneedling which can boost collagen production and help heal scarring.
Dermal fillers: A medical professional can regularly inject collagen to fill dents in the skin.
Laser therapy. Depending on the type, this may either remove the top layer of skin or use heat to encourage the production of collagen.
Rolling Scars
Rolling scars have a varying depth, with sloping edges that make skin appear wavy and uneven. They’re often more visible in certain lights and angles.
How can they be treated?
These types of scars often become less visible over time, but they won’t go without treatment unfortunately. There’s not much that can be done topically to improve these types of scars but there are a few options which you can discuss with your GP/ Dermatologist to reduce their appearance:
Microdermabrasion and chemical peels. These help to remove the top layer of skin which can make the skin appear smoother and more even.
Microneedling which can boost collagen production and help heal scarring.
Dermal fillers: A medical professional can regularly inject collagen to fill dents in the skin.
Laser therapy. Depending on the type, this may either remove the top layer of skin or use heat to encourage the production of collagen.
Boxcar Scars
These are larger indentations in the skin, usually caused after a large spot or cyst. They won’t go away without treatment.
How can you treat them?
Talk to a medical professional about the best options for your skin, but here are some treatments which can work for these types of scars:
Punch excision. This is where each scar is removed with a punch device and replaced with small, shallower wound closures.
Subcision, which is when a needle is put under your skin and moved in different directions to separate the top layer of skin from the scar tissue below.
