How to fade acne scars
Photos Instagram / ihaveacneandwhat
Words Nolyne Cerda
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Our skin is basically an archive for us. Marked over time, it reveals a part of our unfortunate actions and our different phases in life. Thankfully it’s able to renew itself more when you help it a little, and it’s also possible to reduce its scars. In this article, Horace tells you how it’s done.
Acne can leave behind some pretty noticeable marks. There are three forms of scars on the face: pigmented ones which are temporary, raised (or puffy) ones which fade over time, and hollow ones. The latter are permanent and require mechanical intervention, either with microneedling (a micro-needle that punctures the skin to boost the natural production of collagen) or a laser that heats and resurfaces the epidermis.
First, using a lotion or product containing AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), like our rich moisturiser, can help smooth out but not totally fade the deeper scars. Weekly exfoliation can also help. Raised scars, also called keloids, are often linked to an overproduction of collagen. Doing a laser treatment works deep to eliminate bacteria under the skin and regulate sebum.
Finally, pigmented scars are the most common. They most often appear after popping a pimple. On light skin, they are red, while they appear brown on darker skin. In this case, products with vitamin C, fruit-derived acids, and niacinamide will help the skin cells to regenerate more quickly and reduce the colouration of the epidermis. The first results start to show after at least 28 days, which is the time your skin needs to regenerate. So you have to be patient.
Sun spots
Whether light or dark, your skin can have small spots that appear after sun exposure. This is often caused by post-acne scars, but also for genetic reasons in dark skin. To prevent them, it’s essential to apply a cream with SPF even if there is no voluntary exposure. If, however, the tasks are well established, several solutions exist, starting with AHA peels to exfoliate and regenerate skin cells. Vitamin C used topically or all-over helps reduce spots and brighten the skin. Kojic acid, on the other hand, prevents the overproduction of melanin, aka the cause of skin pigmentation, and therefore works to reduce dark spots.