Acne scars treatment

 

Acne and Acne scars treatment

 

Acne is caused by bacteria that live in the pores of the skin. These bacteria produce toxins causing inflammation on the skin. Bacteria can thrive in the oil glands also known as sebaceous glands of the face and neck due to the warm, humid and moist environment. When acne occurs, oil glands become clogged with dead skin cells and bacteria. Acne is caused by clogged pores, inflammation, and blocked oil glands. These blockages cause toxins to build up and produce acne. Stress, hormonal changes, diet, genetics, and environmental factors all contribute to the production and increasing of acne on parts of body including face, neck and the back for example.

Want to know more about acne and its types? Read about acne and its type

 

 

How to treat acne and acne scars?

 

1.          Chemical method to treat acne and acne scars.

 There are many chemicals available and used today to treat acne and acne scars.

·     Salicylic acid

·     Alpha beta Hydroxy acids

·     Retinols

·     Niacinamide

·     Benzoyl Peroxide

·     Mandelic Acid

 

 

1. Salicylic acid

A naturally occurring beta hydroxy acid, salicylic acid helps in cell turnover and treat hyperpigmentation on the skin. It penetrated into the pores and reduce pore visibility. Salicylic acid is also anti-inflammatory and can be used in treatment of acne and Rosacea.

 

2.Alpha and beta Hydroxy acids

Both AHA and BHA helps in the removal of dead skin to help the penetration and absorption of skincare products deep into the skin. Both the AHA and BHA are chemical exfoliants to help smoothing of skin

 

3.Retinols

Retinol is a form of Vitamin A that is used for the treatment of fine lines, aging and skins hyperpigmentation. Retinol is an anti-ager and it is recommended to start including Retinols starting from your late 20’s.

 

4.Niacinamide

Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3. It is used for improving skin texture, fine lines, redness and skin blotching, improves skin elasticity and decrease skin hyperpigmentation

Read more about NIACINAMIDE

 

5.Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl Peroxide is an antiseptic, it kills the bacteria that is the main cause of the acne. It is also anti-inflammatory and helps smooth out the skin.

 

6.Mandelic Acid

Mandelic acid is used in the skincare industry to help improve and smooth the skin texture. Mandelic acid help to get rid of the piled up dead skin by chemical action leaving your skin smooth to touch, luminous and glowing. Mandelic acid is also used to treat hyperpigmentation and acne scars.

 

 

2.          Other Methods to Treat acne and acne scars

 

1.Cleansing

 Cleansing your skin is a great way to remove dead cells and excess oils before they become clogs. Exfoliation involves the use of chemical exfoliants, physical exfoliants, and enzymatic exfoliants. There are many good and affordable exfoliants in the market to treat acne and acne scars. Mandelic acid, salicylic acids are the best chemical peels to treat acne and to remove all the dead skin. Chemical exfoliants are chemical products that break down dead skin cells. Physical exfoliants involve using brushes, loofahs, and scrubs. Enzymatic exfoliants work by breaking down dead skin cells naturally.

 

 2. Balancing hormones

 Hormonal imbalances lead to acne. Hormones regulate our moods, appetite, sleep cycles, menstrual cycles and many other aspects of our daily lives. Our body produces certain hormones that control these processes. When these hormones are out of balance, acne and hyperpigmentation occurs. Most people have higher levels of estrogen than testosterone, which is why women tend to get acne. Get medical help if any other method of acne treatment is not working out.

 

 3. Diet

 A balanced diet will help keep your hormones in check. Eating foods high in protein will prevent acne. Keeping your blood sugar stable and preventing spikes and dips in your insulin level can also help minimize the chances of acne production on skin. Foods rich in zinc and selenium will help reduce inflammation and fight bacteria and viruses that can cause acne. Omega-3 fatty acids may decrease inflammation and improve mental clarity.

 

 4. Sleep

 Sleep is important for regulating hormones. If you do not get enough sleep, your body's natural cortisol levels increase leading to acne. You should try to get at least seven hours of sleep each night. Wash your pillow cases and bedsheets every week to minimize bacteria to come in contact with your skin.

 

 5. Sunscreen

 Sunscreens protect your skin from UV rays. However, some sunscreens can leave behind chemicals that irritate your skin and cause acne. Look for a sunscreen that contains titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to avoid irritating your skin. There are many sunscreens now-a-days that do not leave any white cast and are not sticky and greasy. Few recommendations of sunscreens are given below

·     Jenpharm SPECTRA MATT SC SPF 40

·     CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen Body Lotion SPF 50.

·     Pipette Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50.

Read more about why sunscreen is important for your skin.

 

 6. Moisturizing

It is important to moisturize your skin after washing your face or after applying a face mask. Moisturizing helps to lock down the hydration of your skin and helps retain the moisture within the skin Even if you have oily skin. moisturization is important to lock in all the water and essential oils within the skin and to make the skin look supple and healthy.

 

7. Chemical peels and Chemicals for acne

Sometimes acne or acne scars are caused by the dead skin cells present on skin. Chemical peels can help you get rid of these dead skin cells and can smooth out the skin drastically. Retinoids are anti-inflammatory medications that help reduce the amount of oil produced by the sebaceous glands. Benzoyl peroxide is a chemical that kills the bacteria causing acne. Salicylic acid is a natural exfoliant that helps remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin.