- Sep 10, 2020

HOW TO: TREATING ACNE SCARRING

Acne doesn’t discriminate – and unfortunately, nor does its more permanent sidekick: acne scarring. Whether it’s shown up after an ISO-induced DIY extraction (hey, nobody’s perfect) or it’s the after-effects of a particularly bad breakout, we're here to help. Skinstitut expert, Zoe Devine, shares the lowdown on why acne scarring happens, what it looks like, what you can do about it.

Why acne can lead to scarring?

[Devine] “Acne, whether it’s a full-blown breakout or a lone pimple, is essentially inflammation beneath the skin. That inflammation—and any further trauma to the skin inflicted by you picking or squeezing any eruptions—can damage skin cells, collagen stores and elastic tissue. This then stimulates pigment production and dilates blood vessels which causes redness. At its most severe, damage to the skin tissue can then lead to visible holes or indentions in the skin.”

How do you treat acne scarring?

“No two scars are identical; treatment is generally best handled by a combination of approaches. As always, we would first recommend you take your skin to a dermal therapist, GP, or dermatologist for professional attention. For more severe scarring they may recommend anything from a course of chemical peels, microdermabrasion, skin needling and light therapy, to laser treatments, injectable fillers or steroids, or possibly even surgery.”

What can I do at home to treat this scarring?

Even Blend Serum: a go-to for hyper pigmentation or brown markings in the skin, often experienced by medium to darker toned skins. Glycolic Acid and Japanese Seaweed work to exfoliate and brighten.

Rejuvenate 15 Serum: rich in vitamins (like botanical Vitamin A) and minerals (like Copper), it helps to topically nourish the skin and boost cellular renewal.

Vitamin C 100%: works to even out skin tone and boost radiance, all while nudging the skin’s collagen production. It can either be applied to the skin by adding to your moisturiser, mask, serum, and even Retinol.

Derma Roller: an easy-to-use at home tool, it contains tiny needles that you simply roll over your skin before following with your serum and moisturiser. The tool works by lightly needling the skin to stimulate cell regeneration and collagen production, and helps your products penetrate more deeply into the skin.