Acne is the most unwelcome guests on our skin. And this guest often leaves behind horrible scars, both on our body and our mind. I’m sure all of us have tried different techniques to escape the wrath of the acne. Tried and cried. So, is there a way out or should we hope that our tears wipe away our scars? Well, there are ways that work but let’s begin by understanding the root cause of this problem.

It’s important to know that if acne breakouts penetrate the skin deeply, they damage not only the skin but also the tissue beneath. As the acne clears, the body repairs this damage using collagen (a substance that gives the skin support). However, if the body produces too little or too much collagen, you will see a scar.

Next, you may have noticed that some people have acne scars, while others do not. Why is that? The reasons vary for every person; genetics, having inflammatory acne, delaying or not treating acne, and the worst of all of which most of us are guilty is popping or squeezing the acne.

Finally, it pays to remember the age-old adage - prevention is better than cure. This applies to acne scars as well. And to achieve that, here are a couple of crucial points.

Time is of the essence: Treat acne in a timely manner with a dermatologically advised routine if it develops.

Keep your hands to yourself: Do not and I mean do not squeeze, pop, or pick at pimples how much ever you feel the urge to do so. Give your skin a chance to heal on its own. This minimizes damage to your skin and prevents the acne from spreading.

Today there are as many methods of treating acne as there are problems created by them. A small step which actually is a giant leap is to keep our skin clean and well hydrated. But if you still end up having acne, then you can start by limiting the contact between unscarred skin and a scar by using sunscreen.

One of the best approaches is to consult a dermatologist who will analyse your acne type and acne scar to suggest the best treatment for you. Thanks to advancements in technology there are many new treatments available: soft tissue fillers, steroid injection, laser resurfacing, pulsed light sources and radiofrequency procedures, dermabrasion, chemical peel, skin needling, punch excision surgery, OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox), fillers,  skin tightening, cryosurgery, scar creams, gels, and silicone dressings. Going for a prescribed method of treatment is the best way to achieve desirable results. And is far better than shooting in the dark using random methods.

Having said all this, remember to check magical overnight results at the door and prepare yourselves for reasonable outcomes. False advertising can trick you into wishing for quick results but you have to understand your body and its limitations too. Appropriate treatments can reduce the size and visibility of acne scars, but it takes time for the acne scars to fade. The outcome depends on a bunch of factors and patience is of utmost importance to keep you from straying into unchartered territory. Last but not the least, drink enough water, do a little workout, and most importantly, smile when you see yourself in the mirror!

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