Here is the guide on how to get rid of acne scars, the tips from the girls who used to suffer from acne and faced scars, marks, and hyperpigmentation after.
Learn what products and ingredients you should be looking for to banish acne scars and dark marks, heal your skin, and let your beautiful natural skin shine through.
Practical guide
What the dark spots and acne scars are
The term acne scar has become an umbrella term for all types of discoloration and hyperpigmentation, as well as the aftermath of pimples, however they actually include three different varied types of hyperpigmentation on the skin. First one is post inflammatory hyperpigmentation which is PIH, second thing is post inflammatory erythema, which is PIE, and number three is the atrophic scarring.
PIH acne scars (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation) is basically any black or brown spots on the skin, which is caused by the overproduction of melanin, the pigment that gives color in our body. PIH is triggered by an inflammatory response that initiates melanin production. Melanin is actually the main reason for any hyperpigmentation on the skin.
To treat PIH acne scars you need to use products that will speed up the skin renewal process, so the layers of the skin regenerate faster, and so you’re left with just clear skin at a quicker rate. And there are some ingredients that you can look for in your skincare routine to really speed up the process.
AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids)
First ingredient you want to look for is AHAs. And AHA is an exfoliating acid, which is really effective in speeding up and shedding dead skin on your face. It increases cell turnover and exfoliates the surface of the skin, and it’s really good for people with dry skin, because it’s gentle enough to use for them. AHAs include mandelic acid, glycolic acid, and lactic acid.
The Ordinary Lactic Acid is a kind of a toner. So you wash your face, and then put that on immediately afterwards, and then go in with serum and moisturizer.
COSRX also has an AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid which is also really effective acne scars treatment, and the DERMA E Overnight Peel is gentle and good for sensitive skin as well.
AHA is really gentle on the skin, so try to use this. If it stings at all, just build up your tolerance, use it every two-three days, and your skin will slowly adjust to it.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide is another one of those ingredients that are really effective to help brighten your skin, help hyperpigmentation disappear faster, and remove acne scars. It’s got antioxidants and it increases collagen production on the skin, and also offers hydration, so it really helps with the process of reducing hyperpigmentation and acne scars removal. You can also try find sunscreens with niacinamide.
For drugstore alternatives there’s CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion (SPF 30), and also La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer has a niacinamide in it, and they’re affordable options as well.
Retinoids (vitamin A)
Retinoids are a vitamin A. The sole purpose of a retinoid is to increase the cell turnover on your skin, it’s shedding those outer layers where the discoloration might be to reveal new skin. Retinoids increase collagen production on the skin, which is good for aging skin, and it helps to fight scars and hyperpigmentation.
Retinoid creams are effective moisturisers that can be used both morning and night, and suitable for sensitive skin. LilyAna Naturals Retinol Cream contains Retinol at 2,5% by volume, as well as Kleem Organics Advanced Retinol Moisturiser, both are also loaded with hyaluronic acid, organic aloe, and other natural organic ingredients that are natural acne scar treatments.
Admire My Skin Retinoid Cream is a moisturiser that contains Retinaldehyde at 0,1%, but retinaldehyde is a more stabilized form of vitamin A in the skin, due to its’ ability to convert vitamin A into the cellular form of retinol. Retinaldehyde is superior to retinol in repairing connective tissue from environmental damage.
If retinoid products cause initial dryness, alternate days with a facial moisturizer without retinoids. Sensitive skin types may want to gradually incorporate a retinoid cream into their skincare routine, beginning by using it every other day.
Always wear SPF during the day when using Retinoids as they increase sun sensitivity.
Vitamin C
When it comes to dealing with scars and hyperpigmentation, vitamin C helps the skin by blocking abnormal pigment production, and it’s known for skin brightening properties, and it prevents the enzyme that produces melanin pigments from causing darker spots on the skin.
SeraVe has a Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum that is loaded with the potent antioxidant L-Ascorbic acid which is the purest form of vitamin C. And also TruSkin Vitamin C Serum has a lot of vitamin C, as well as TruSkin Vitamin C Moisturizer that you can apply after the serum.
If you are using both: retinol product and vitamin C product, it’s suggested using vitamin C in the morning with a sunscreen, and using a retinol during nighttime skincare routine.
So basically when you’re looking for any product to help treat your acne marks or hyperpigmentation, just look for increased cell turnover, so that your skin sheds the dead layers, and it will reveal fresh plump skin, as well as brightening products like vitamin C and niacinamide.
The next two skin marks are a little bit more difficult to get rid of, because the damage is done at a deeper level on the skin. That’s why you’ll need something a bit more abrasive like laser or microdermabrasion, things like that would take time to heal.
PIE acne scars (post inflammatory erythema) is the red and purplish spots on the skin, the dilation and the damage is close to the capillaries on the surface of the skin, that is usually why it’s a lot harder to get rid of.
And the third type of scar that acne can cause is the atrophic scars, it’s one of those scars that you can’t really treat anymore,because it’s broken skin tissue, there wasn’t enough collagen production to seal up that wound. And the only way to really treat these are through laser and microdermabrasion.
Some important tips
Last but not least is prevention, because it’s better to deal with it now than later when it’s worse.
- Do not pick pimples, because that might cause infection or further spreading of the acne and acne scarring after.
- If you do have an acne that burst for no reason, let’s say accidentally, then you need to make sure you find a way to protect it, so keeping it clean, keeping it covered and sealed and protected, so that it’s not exposed to like bacterial infections, or putting more makeup on it will actually cause it to be more erupt and red and inflammatory.
- If you are going out in the sun, wear protection sunblock hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, white shirt, etc.
- Make sure that you are drinking enough of water, flushing out the toxins. Just the basic things.
So these are the tips on how to get rid of acne scars, marks, and hyperpigmentation, as well as the best products and ingredients to banish acne scars, remove hyperpigmentation, and let your beautiful natural skin shine through.
On top of that at the end of the day, you know, we all have acne scarring or hyperpigmentation, you’re not the only one, seriously everyone. It doesn’t make you different, it doesn’t make you someone who’s not attractive. We might not win all the battles, but we’ll win the war.