One of the most annoying things about hitting puberty is acne. Ugh! Almost every guy has experienced some form of acne during his life, whether as a teenager, in college, or even after.
The best advice is to never pop those pimples, no matter how badly you want to. Popping acne pimples may leave you at a higher risk for developing scarring, hyperpigmentation and unevenness of skin. But even then, the body may decide to do what it wants, and you are still left with these undesirable reminders.
There’s good news though…
There are ways to get rid of acne scars if caught early and treated properly. But first you must understand the different types and how to deal with them.
There are two major categories of Acne scars. Atrophic Scars are caused by a loss of tissue. In this type, the wounds heal below the top layer of skin and present as flat, shallow depressions. E.g., Ice pick scars, rolling scars and boxcar scars.
On the other hand, Hypertrophic Scars are caused by an excess of tissue. In this type, the wounds heal but the body produces excessive amounts of collagen resulting in a raised scar.
These categories have various subtypes that may differ from person to person.
Here are the 5 subtypes of acne scars:
Acne scars are not like other scars. They have more complex characteristics, and they will vary depending on your skin type.
1. Ice-Pick Scar- This type of scarring is narrow and extends deep into the dermis of the skin. Ice pick scars usually develop after an infection from a deep inflamed acne lesion. As the body tries to repair the damage done, it produces too little collagen to fill the gap leaving noticeable depressions or tiny holes in the skin.
2. Rolling Scar- This type of scarring occurs when fibrous bands of tissue grow between the skin and the subcutaneous tissue below it. These fibrous bands cause the epidermis to bind to the deeper structures within the skin resulting in a wave-like appearance. This can leave your skin looking wavy, crooked and uneven.
3. Box Car Scar- This scarring occurs as a result of an inflammatory acne breakout. The collagen in the area of the breakout is destroyed and the skin cannot replenish the tissue that has been lost. Therefore, it creates obvious dents and depressions in the skin. The appearance is similar to ice pick scar, but they usually have wide vertical sides.
4. Hypertrophic Scar- This scarring occurs as a result of the body producing a lot more collagen than necessary for a wound. After the damaged area has been healed, the skin still sends signals for collagen to be produced. If this continues overtime, a keloid may develop, which is usually much larger than the actual wounded area.
5. Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (POI)- If we are getting technical, this is not really scarring, but rather the aftermath of an acne attack. Either way, this hyperpigmentation is as dreadful as the regular acne scars. POI occurs as a result of an overproduction of melanin at the wound sites. They usually have a smooth texture but no specific shape- it could be oval, square or globular, it can take any form. As a consequence of this melanin overdose, areas will look darker than your normal complexion.
Now that we know what these types are, how do we treat them?
Many people try to improve the appearance of existing scars through laser treatment, cosmetic fillers or even surgery. But the most important thing is to stop acne at the root and try to prevent any more scarring.
You can start treatment and prevention by developing a skin care routine. The products you use on your face and skin should be jam packed with ingredients to benefit your skin type.
Follow these three simple steps to help reduce your acne scars…
CLEANSE 💦 EXFOLIATE 💫 MOISTURIZE 💧
Our Daily Advanced Care Routine Bundle contains all you need to get started. The kit includes a face wash, exfoliating scrub and daily moisturizer, perfect for your daily routine.
The Daily Botanical Face Wash contains Vitamins A and C, which are important for skin repair and suppleness. It also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial ingredients as well as antioxidants. These ingredients work together to treat the skin by:
✔ Helping to remove dirt and pollutants
✔ Helping to unclog your pores (hence reducing breakouts)
✔ Clearing your skin of harmful bacteria
The Refreshing Face Scrub contains Honey which nourishes and protects your skin along with Amber Powder and Amino Acids to give you a refined finish. This wonderful scrub is perfect for:
✔ Exfoliating dead skin
✔ Reducing shaving irritation
✔ Helping to remove dirt and grime lodged in pores
✔ Helping to improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of acne scars
The Hydrating Day and Night Moisturizing Cream contains key ingredients like Hyaluronic acid, Squalene, Jojoba Oil and Apricot Kernel Oil which work together perfectly to heal the skin by:
✔ Healing blemishes and breakouts
✔ Soothing inflamed skin
✔ Helping to even skin tone and reduce hyperpigmentation
✔ Hydrating the skin with a fast-absorbing, non-greasy, non-clogging formula.
No matter what type of scarring you have, these products will surely help to revive your skin and have you looking like your best self.