Acne scars can be treated with a variety of products and treatments. Here are some details on ingredients and materials that can be found in acne scar treatments:
Positive ingredients:
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids: These are effective in treating acne scars by drawing out impurities, toxins, and dead skin cells that can plug the pores and provide mild exfoliation to the outer layer to remove roughness, unevenness, and discoloration.
- Salicylic Acid: This ingredient acts as a chemical peel, as well as helping reduce swelling, discoloration, and redness which may minimize the appearance of scarring.
- Vitamin C: This is an antioxidant that can help reduce and prevent the appearance of redness and mild color changes from acne.
- Retinoids: These stimulate collagen and can be helpful for treating atrophic acne scars.
- Tranexamic Acid: This ingredient is effective for discoloration or post-inflammatory erythema.
Negative ingredients:
- Citrus: This ingredient may irritate sensitive skin types.
Materials:
- Chemical Peels: The top layer of skin is removed by a chemical peel; new skin grows back, healing over atrophic acne scarring.
- Laser Treatment: There are two types of laser treatments — ablative, in which skin over and around the scars is removed to produce new skin, and non-ablative, which stimulates the growth of new, healthier skin cells and repairs scar damage.
- Microneedling: This treatment stimulates collagen production and can be helpful for treating atrophic acne scars.
It is important to note that the most effective treatments for acne scars are professional treatments, including lasers, radiofrequency microneedling, and chemical peels. However, there are many over-the-counter products that can be helpful for treating dark spots and color changes left behind by acne.
