An estimated 80% of all people between the ages of 11 and 30 have acne breakouts at some point, making acne the most common skin disease. Getting rid of acne is hard enough, but what’s even harder is to remove those pesky acne scars.

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There are several options for you, you can go to a dermatologist for professional treatment, and you can also get rid of your acne scars at home. It is essential for you to know the different types of acne scars first to better target your acne scars concern.

The Different Types of Acne Scars:

acne-scar

Acne heals up with differently. The scars or marks vary due to the specific reactions that happen underneath the skin.

Atrophic (indented) scars

Ice pick scars

The ice pick scars, like its name, looks like holes that have been made by an ice pick or a pointy object. This kind of scar extends until the dermis, which could look like an open pore.

Ice pick scars are formed when an inflamed blemish reaches the surface of the skin, and when the blemish heals, the follicle empties forming a column-like scar that runs from the surface to the inner layer of the skin.

Boxcar scars

Boxcar scars look angular with sharp vertical edges that looks like a box, just like its name. The scars are wider, making the skin looks like it has a pitted appearance.

This scar forms because of tissue loss. The skin over the inflammation heals and is left hollow without support, then creates a depression.

Rolling scars

Rolling scars look like waves, sometimes also look like tiny hills sitting on top of your skin. Rolling scars are more shallow than the other two atrophic scars, but they appear more grouped.

These kinds of scars happens due to the pulling of the epidermis from beneath the skin that is caused by a fibrous connection that is formed between the upper layer and deeper skin structures.

Hypertrophic scars (keloid)

Hypertrophic scar or keloid appears more raised and looks like a small mass of tissue that’s slightly swollen and bumpy.

This scar is caused by an overproduction of collagen, making it appear like a mass.

Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is those brown marks or spots on the skin after an acne breakout, also called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).

The healing process causes it, thus appear darker because of the increased synthesis of melanin. This kind of scar can stay for as long as a year if you leave it alone.

Acne Scars Treatment at Home

Here is what you can do to lessen or remove acne scars at home:

1. Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a lighter alternative to dermabrasion that you can do at home with a specific tool for home-based devices. This device can treat hyperpigmentation, light acne scars, wrinkles and dull skin.

This treatment can cause some temporary redness and sensitivity.

2. Topical Retinoids

Retinoids, a chemical compound that is related to vitamin A can speed up skin cell turnover, unclog pores, fade pigmentation, minimise the appearance of pores and texturise the surface of the skin.

Patience is required for a noticeable result, but the price makes it worth trying. Topical retinoids are sold over the counter and are easy to find.

3. At Home Chemical Peelings

At home, chemical peelings are lighter than the chemical peelings that are done by a dermatologist. Light peels mainly use alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) and beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that can be bought over the counter.

These active ingredients make your skin more sensitive to the sunlight, so make sure always to use sunscreen while doing activities outside.

If these three at home remedies for acne scars didn’t help, you could consult Okadoc’s dermatologist by booking an online appointment through Okadoc.