Does Acne treatment help scars?

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Does Acne Treatment Help Scars?
Many people are fortunate to have blemishes that
disappear without leaving scarring, but others
are left with visual reminders of their past
breakouts. These can take a toll on a person's
self-confidence. Fortunately, many treatments are
available that can help reduce the appearance of
scars. Acne occurs when a pore becomes clogged
with dead skin cells and sebum, an oil that
helps moisturize the skin. The clogged pore then
becomes inflamed and causes a pimple. If the
blemish is not treated, it can lead to a cyst or
nodule and cause scarring. Acne is the most
common skin condition, affecting more than 50
million people each year. It usually begins in
puberty and affects teenagers, but it can also
occur in adults. Fortunately, most acne scars can
be treated with some simple home care and
medical treatments. A dermatologist can often
recommend a cream that will minimize the
appearance of a scar or help it fade. If a scar
is more prominent, a plastic surgeon can perform
surgery to remove it or make it less
noticeable. One of the best ways to prevent acne
scars is to use a topical treatment that
contains an antibacterial and an exfoliant. These
may include benzoyl peroxide or retinol, which
can help prevent a blemish from becoming a scar.
Oral antibiotics may also be helpful, especially
clindamycin or erythromycin. If you're prone to
picking or squeezing a blemish, a skincare
professional can help you prevent scarring by
applying a medicated ointment, such as Vaseline
or Aquaphor, that will help reduce the
inflammation caused by prodding and squeezing a
blemish. These ointments will form a protective
barrier on the blemish and help it heal more
quickly. Some types of acne scarring, such as
pockmarks, are a result of collagen loss and
require a stronger treatment than just an
exfoliant. A dermatologist can inject a steroid
such as corticosteroids to stimulate the growth
of collagen in the scarred area. Chemical peels
with a higher concentration of glycolic acid or
lactic acids can also help reduce the appearance
of these scars. Other acne scars, such as flat
dark marks or a reddish color, are the result of
hyperpigmentation and not collagen loss. In these
cases, an acne scar treatment with brightening
ingredients such as vitamin C, niacinamide or
tranexamic acid might be the best option. A
dermatologist can also prescribe hydroquinone to
lighten these spots. Some scars are so pronounced
that they become visible when the skin is exposed
to sunlight or light-colored clothing. A
dermatologist can inject a tretinoin cream to
help smooth out the surface of the skin, but you
will need repeat injections over a long period
of time to see results. Other treatments that a
dermatologist might suggest to treat depressed
or pitted scars include radiofrequency
technology, which can tighten the skin so the
scar appears less pronounced, and dermal fillers,
such as the new nonconsumable dermal filler
Bellafill, which can add volume to the skin
around the scar.