Do you know that 50 percent of all sorts of acne will end up in some sort of acne scarring? Now acne scars are actually quite common, the larger the acne, the worse the scar is. So it’s always better to prevent scar formation than treat scars. So today at Sphere Medium, I’ll share five common skincare mistakes that worsen acne scars.
Mistakes that worsen acne scars!
Not exfoliating
A common mistake that worsen acne scar is not exfoliating. Exfoliation is a process of removing dead skin cells from skin, and it triggers new skin cell formation. Now exfoliation is one of the key processes of reducing the amount of scars. Whether it’s the red scar or the deep scar, exfoliation also helps unclog pores, which reduces future acne, so if you have acne scars, you should exfoliate roughly once or twice a week, and please use chemical exfoliators.
Chemical exfoliators are basically exfoliators that contain certain types of acids that help exfoliate skin.
If you have oily skin, choose something with salicylic acid because it combines or binds to oil very well. If you’re suffering from erythema, which is redness of the skin or deep scars, use something that contains glycolic acid, and at the same time you could also try lactic acid. These particular two exfoliators are very good for exfoliating the top layer of skin, and the more you exfoliate, the quicker the skin cells will form. Hence, it will actually help in reducing the amount of scars.
Not treating active Acne
A mistake which worsen acne scar is when acne is left without treatment, it will generally require three to 14 weeks to subside and disappear. Till this time, there will be extensive damage to the skin structures underneath the skin, which we don’t exactly see, so it means that when there’s active acne, there is some sort of active destruction of the internal components of the skin, hence increasing the risk of acne scars.
Now this is made worse if acne is cystic in nature. Therefore, large acne scars worsen if not treated at time. Minor acne can be self-treated at home with adapallen or benzoyl peroxide, but if it’s cystic acne, which is those big, nasty acnes, you need to go see your skin doctor or dermatologist. Remember, early intervention means minimizing acne scars.
Clogged Pores
One of the common mistakes that worsen acne scars is when pores are not cleansed sufficiently. Unclogging pores is one of the key steps to prevent acne, and when acne is under control, chances of scar formation are already minimized. Most of us cleanse pores using just a regular cleanser. But sometimes it’s not enough to do the job; some pores might be out of reach from your regular cleansers, and hence you would require certain sort of tools for that. Some of these tools are exfoliating tools that can be used at home but most of the time if they are used improperly one can actually damage their skin.
So my suggestion is to go to a professional, whether it’s a beautician, esthetician, or dermatologist, and from time to time pamper your skin by doing chemical peels or lasers, which will help reduce and unclog your pores.
Pimple Popping
Another mistake that worsens acne scars is popping up pimples. Please understand it is horrible for your skin. With active acne, there’s extensive damage to the skin structures inside your skin, and if you’re popping your pimples using your finger, you will cause even more damage on the top layer of skin. The more damage your skin has, the worse the scars will be. So make sure you never pop your pimples instead use spot acne cream, and if there’s very large acne, go and see your doctor immediately.
skipping sunscreen
The number one mistake that worsens acne scars and that many of us are guilty of doing is not applying sufficient or skipping sunscreen altogether.
Now a lot of us know that sunscreen is an important step in your skincare routine; it prevents aging and hyperpigmentation, but did you know it also helps trigger more collagen to grow? And more collagen means fewer acne scars! Now how does it work? After your skin is severely damaged by the trauma and your skin is trying to repair itself, direct exposure to UV radiation would actually slow down the process of the collagens building up and repairing themselves.
UV rays also reduce the lifespan of the collagen inside skin; now this also means that skin has already produced sufficient collagen, but because there’s a direct exposure to sunlight, the collagen starts to degrade at a much quicker pace. Applying a sunscreen also reduces the risk of getting post-inflammatory erythema or hyperpigmentation, so do not be afraid to apply sunscreen.
If you’re suffering from oily skin or acne-prone skin, choose a sunscreen that does not clog pores, as discussed here, “Why Korean Sunblocks Stand Out: Unlocking the Secrets of Advanced Sun Protection.”
Also, if you have active acne, you should also apply sunscreen because the infrared from the sun will actually make your inflammation worse, hence making your acne scars even worse.
So these are the five mistakes that worsen acne scars. Let me know in the comments below what you have done to reduce the amount of acne scars. Are you doing your own treatments at home? Are you using skin care to help stimulate more collagen? Or have you gone to a doctor to do treatments?
Also consider reading this article if you are suffering from acne: “5 myths and facts about acne that need to die” at Sphere Medium. Remember to stay safe, stay healthy, and most importantly, stay informed
FAQs
If I have to choose one, then it has to be skipping or not sufficiently applying sunscreen.
Keep skin clean and apply benzoyl peroxide cream only on acne.
Twice a week is good enough, and be vigilant in using sunscreen daily.
Take advice from a dermatologist; he’ll prescribe antibiotics for treatment.
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I am a dentist, baker, and fitness and health enthusiast with a passion for living life to the fullest. I am foodie and explorer, always seeking new adventures and flavors. Currently working on my own skincare brand.
