How to get rid of acne scars

What are acne scars?

Acne scars or hyperpigmentation?

How to get rid of acne scars

PEELS

How to get rid of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

ALPHA-HYDROXY-ACIDS

RETINOL

LED LIGHT THERAPY

LED LIGHT PRESCRIPTION PRODUCTS

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How to get rid of acne scars

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How to get rid of acne scars

If you’ve tackled a bout of acne and come out triumphant, it may feel like the battle has been won. However, so many blemishes leave their mark on your skin long after the breakout has subsided.

How to get rid of acne scars

Pitted scars and patches of red pigmentation can linger for months – even years – but there are tactics you can employ to smooth your way back to bright, even skin.

How to get rid of acne scars

Here, we ask the experts to reveal exactly how to get rid of acne scars and pigmentation as quickly (and safely) as possible.

What are acne scars?

A generalised term, acne scarring can be used to refer to a multitude of different marks that a breakout may leave behind.

What are acne scars?

"Acne scars come in different forms, including rolling, boxcar and ice-pick scars," explains Pamela Marshall, clinical aesthetician and founder of Mortar & Milk.

What are acne scars?

"Acne scars come in different forms, including rolling, boxcar and ice-pick scars," explains Pamela Marshall, clinical aesthetician and founder of Mortar & Milk.

What are acne scars?

While most types of scarring can be treated via various methods, there is one subset that requires specialist treatment, as aesthetician and founder of West Room Aesthetics Dija Ayodele explains.

What are acne scars?

"Be wary that keloid scarring, which darker skin can be prone to, can make you contraindicated to treatment that works on the basis of inducing a mild trauma to the skin, such as chemical peels and

What are acne scars?

microneedling. If you’ve got this type of scarring, it's best to see a doctor or dermatologist that can provide steroid shots or advise on removing with surgery."

Acne scars or hyperpigmentation?

Acne scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can both occur after a breakout, but the two are actually very different – and thus a different approach is required when it comes to fading them.

Acne scars or hyperpigmentation?

"Acne scars occur when too much collagen forms in a particular spot while a wound is healing," explains dermatologist Dr Dennis Gross. "The scar often develops within the dermis, where the original acne-induced inflammation formed."

Acne scars or hyperpigmentation?

“When someone has cystic acne, there's a higher probability of having rolling or boxcar scarring – especially if they are picked at before they are ready, or too aggressively," says Marshall.

Acne scars or hyperpigmentation?

Aesthetic practitioner Dr Philippe Hamida-Pisal agrees. "Acne scarring is due to touching and squeezing spots. This damages small veins, glands and tissues surrounding the spots which creates scarring," he says.

Acne scars or hyperpigmentation?

“When someone has cystic acne, there's a higher probability of having rolling or boxcar scarring – especially if they are picked at before they are ready, or too aggressively," says Marshall.

Acne scars or hyperpigmentation?

Aesthetic practitioner Dr Philippe Hamida-Pisal agrees. "Acne scarring is due to touching and squeezing spots. This damages small veins, glands and tissues surrounding the spots which creates scarring," he says.

Acne scars or hyperpigmentation?

Unlike acne scarring, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is simply a form of skin pigmentation (like sun damage), which occurs as a result of trauma to the skin. As it doesn't damage the follicle, it isn't considered a true form of scarring.

How to get rid of acne scars

MICRONEEDLING There are many treatments out there to help fade the various forms of acne scarring – including lasers and microdermabrasion – but Marshall’s preferred treatment is microneedling.

How to get rid of acne scars

How to get rid of acne scars

Ayodele agrees, adding that "the earlier this is done the better, as it's much more challenging to treat old scars."

How to get rid of acne scars

Ayodele agrees, adding that "the earlier this is done the better, as it's much more challenging to treat old scars."

PEELS

If your scars aren't severe, a chemical peel could be a wise option. "For less obvious scarring, a clinical treatment with a low-pH acid will make a big difference," says Marshall.

PEELS

What's more, at-home peels have come a long way in recent years, and there are now plenty of excellent options that work on renewing the skin surface,

PEELS

reducing the depth and intensity of acne scarring. "To treat acne scars at home, use a product that offers gentle chemical exfoliation," suggests Dr Gross. Opt for a pre-soaked pad for ease of use, or try a toner-style resurfacing liquid.

How to get rid of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

VITAMIN C When it comes to brightening dark hyperpigmentation, vitamin C should be a key weapon in your skincare arsenal.

How to get rid of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

"I absolutely love it for many reasons. Its benefits are endless, including revitalising and brightening the skin while stimulating your body’s natural production of collagen," says Dr Gross.

How to get rid of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

"Not only does it help to lighten and break up pigmentation you might already have, but it also prevents dark spots from forming in the future.”

How to get rid of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

"I absolutely love it for many reasons. Its benefits are endless, including revitalising and brightening the skin while stimulating your body’s natural production of collagen," says Dr Gross.

How to get rid of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

"Not only does it help to lighten and break up pigmentation you might already have, but it also prevents dark spots from forming in the future.”

ALPHA-HYDROXY-ACIDS

According to Ayodele, a chemical peel is also a great way to fade post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, as "it will help the skin to exfoliate quickly and fade the discolouration."

ALPHA-HYDROXY-ACIDS

Alpha-hydroxy-acids such as glycolic, lactic and mandelic acid work by dissolving the 'glue' that holds dead skin cells together, revealing brighter, fresher skin beneath.

ALPHA-HYDROXY-ACIDS

"On Black skin it's best to do a series of superficial peels over a course of a few months as opposed to doing a single deep peel, which can cause further post-inflammatory pigmentation,"

ALPHA-HYDROXY-ACIDS

says Ayodele. Consider a low-dose at-home product designed for sensitive skin, such as Dr. Dennis Gross' Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel (which, despite what the brand tells you, doesn't really need to be used every day),

ALPHA-HYDROXY-ACIDS

or QMS Medicosmetics' Active Exfoliant 7% Sensitive. A poly-hydroxy-acid is also a good, gentle alternative to the often-used glycolic acid,

ALPHA-HYDROXY-ACIDS

as its larger molecule size means penetration into the skin is reduced. You can find a perfect dose of poly-hydroxy-acid in Medik8's brilliant Press & Glow toner, which is designed to hydrate while it exfoliates.

RETINOL

"Retinol (or vitamin A) is useful for acne as it fades hyperpigmentation by increasing the cell turnover rates," explains Dr Hamida-Pisal.

RETINOL

A course of prescription-strength retinol requires a trip to the dermatologist, (or a more affordable digital dermatologist appointment)

RETINOL

but there are now several excellent over-the-counter brands working with effective vitamin A derivatives, such as Sunday Riley and La Roche-Posay.

RETINOL

As always when it comes to active skincare, follow the instructions stringently, consult a doctor if in doubt, and wear a high-factor SPF every single day.

LED LIGHT THERAPY

Light therapy has been shown to work on so many skin concerns, from loss of collagen to active breakouts, and recent research suggests that red LED in particular may help to reduce inflammation and prompt cellular repair, aiding the skin to recover from a breakout more effectively.

LED LIGHT THERAPY