4 Ways to Eliminate Cystic Acne Scars

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Sooner or later many happen to have to face imperfections such as impurities or blackheads. Unfortunately, some forms of acne are quite acute and cause abscesses to appear. Cystic acne is the most common among teenagers, as hormonal changes can stimulate sebum production, leading to bacteria trapping in the pores. Since cystic acne is associated with pain, inflammation and the formation of impurities in the deeper layers of the skin, it carries with it a greater risk of scarring. Before seeking medical treatment, you can try DIY remedies to lessen the scars.

Steps

Method 1 of 1: DIY Remedies

Step 1. Before resorting to a home remedy, do all your research and be extremely cautious

Many do-it-yourself methods can lessen the scars caused by cystic acne. However, the fact that they are natural does not automatically imply that they are safe. Read the ingredients list and avoid those you are sensitive or allergic to. Do not mix powdered products and oils. Similarly, do not mix any treatments (be it herbal or oil based) with lemon juice. If you really want to combine lemon juice with another method, rinse it well and wait 2-3 hours before doing anything else.

If you are thinking of buying an over-the-counter treatment to eliminate scars, read the reviews first and find out about the product

Step 2. Use lemon juice

If you have dark scars, vitamin C (found in lemon juice) can help smooth them out. Soak a cotton ball or Q-tip and apply it directly to the affected area. Let it air dry, then rinse with warm water. Repeat once a day.

Do not expose yourself to the sun after applying lemon juice, otherwise the skin risks undergoing pigmentation changes

Step 3. Get an aloe vera gel massage

Scar tissue tends to feel hard or rough to the touch. Aloe vera gel can soften it. Extract it directly from the plant or buy a packaged one, the important thing is that it is 100% pure.

Studies have shown that aloe vera can soften scars. It is a plant with anti-inflammatory properties that helps improve the elasticity of the new skin tissue

Step 4. Try using vitamin capsules

Take one capsule containing 400 IU (International Units) of liquid vitamin E and one capsule containing 1000-1200 IU of liquid vitamin D. Open them both and pour the contents into a small bowl. Add 8-10 drops of castor oil and massage the mixture into the affected area. Do not rinse, in this way the vitamins will continue to act to soften the scars.

Alternatively, you can do a massage with the following mixture: 2-3 drops of lavender or St. John's wort essential oil and 2 tablespoons of castor oil. St. John's wort is often used to treat scars left by a caesarean section

Step 5. Make a green tea wrap

Heat some water and steep an organic green tea bag to soften it. Place it directly on the scar, leaving it on for 10-15 minutes. Repeat 3 or 4 times a day. You can also soak a cotton towel, wring out the excess, and place it on the scar.

Green tea can reduce scars because it contains antioxidants that are good for the skin

Step 6. Try Radix arnebiae (R

arnebiae), a plant that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for centuries to soften scars. You can get it from an expert in Chinese medicine or herbal medicine, where you can find it in the form of soap, powder, or concentrated extract. To use, mix ½ teaspoon of powder or ¼ teaspoon of concentrated extract with 1-2 tablespoons of castor oil. Massage the mixture into the scar tissue 3-4 times a day.

R. arnebiae is also called Zi Cao and lithospermum erythrorhizon. According to traditional Chinese medicine, it helps to expel heat and toxins. Studies have shown that it can limit the amount and functions of the cells responsible for scarring

Medical Treatments

1. Undergo an exam. You can definitely try DIY or over-the-counter remedies, but if you don't see any improvement within 6-8 weeks, you should see a dermatologist. Acne can be painful and scars are unlikely to go away on their own, so it's essential to see a specialist.

   

   If you are unsure who to contact, your GP can recommend dermatologists in the area, perhaps specializing in treating cystic acne

2. Try dermabrasion, a procedure that removes the uppermost layer of the skin, targeted for small scars. It is the most popular treatment for eliminating acne scars. After local anesthesia, the dermatologist will exfoliate the superficial layer of the skin. If acne affects a large area, the specialist may give you a sedative or recommend general anesthesia.

   

   At the end of the treatment the skin will be swollen and red. The swelling should go away within 2-3 weeks

3. Get a chemical peel. If the scars are more severe, your dermatologist may recommend removing the surface layer of the skin. The treatment will likely take place under general anesthesia, so you will be asleep for the duration of the procedure. The specialist will apply the solution on small areas of the skin, and then remove it together with the most superficial skin layer, in order to also eliminate the scars.

   

   If the peel will be done in depth, the dermatologist will teach you how to change the bandages following the procedure. If the peeling is more superficial, it is usually enough to make cold compresses and apply a specific cream

4. Consider the filler. If you have pit scars, so your skin is pitted, you might resort to a dermal filler injection. During the procedure, a collagen injection will be performed to fill the holes caused by acne.

   

   The dermatologist may also perform steroid injections to treat scars that are hyperpigmented or have a darker color than the surrounding skin

5. Consider laser or pulsed light. Pulsed dye laser and high intensity pulsed light can be used to treat raised scars. By delivering high intensity light, the equipment will burn damaged skin and scars, so as to promote optimal healing, without blemishes.

   

   In addition, it is possible to do a less intensive laser treatment to leave the skin intact, while stimulating the production of collagen in the deeper layers

6. Consider a small skin graft, also called punch grafting. This treatment is usually used for deep scars, especially when they don't respond well to other procedures. To do this, the dermatologist will make a circular incision to remove the scar, which will then be replaced with the patient's own skin (usually pulled from behind the ear).

   

   Remember that most of these treatments are purely aesthetic in nature, so the costs can be quite high. The interventions can be borrowed only in certain cases

   Corrective Makeup

   1. Choose a scar concealer. Examine them carefully to figure out what color they are, then buy a concealer or foundation of an opposite shade on the color wheel. This will help you to hide any imperfections well. Here's how to choose the right color:

      

      • Green concealer for scars that turn red.
      • Yellow concealer to even out blemishes caused by scars.
      • Pink concealer to counteract purple or dark blemishes.

   2. Apply the concealer with the help of a brush with slightly fan-shaped bristles. Pour a very small amount of concealer on the back of your hand and pick it up with the brush, then apply a thin layer of it to the scar.

      

      The concealer can also be applied with your fingers. Just try not to use too much product, otherwise you risk the opposite effect, i.e. you will draw attention to the scars

   3. Apply foundation. This will help you hide the concealer, especially if your complexion is of a different tone or you have used a pretty noticeable green concealer. The foundation will help you even out your complexion and hide scars even better.

      

      Be careful when applying foundation directly to scars, otherwise you risk eliminating the concealer

   4. Set with a powder. Let the foundation dry for about a minute. Take a powder brush and apply it by making large strokes upwards. You can use a loose or pressed loose powder. Before proceeding with the application, lightly beat the brush to remove excess product.

      

      Take off your make-up every night. It is a great habit to have healthy skin and prevent future blemishes

      Prevention

      1. Run for cover immediately. The longer the fight against acne, the more likely it is that scars will form. Try to adopt good personal hygiene habits, try DIY remedies, and consider various over-the-counter treatments. If you can't fix the problem or you have lumps and cysts, see a dermatologist.

         

         A dermatologist can prescribe medication or give you cortisone injections to help relieve inflammation and pimples. According to research, treating acne during the inflammatory phase can prevent scarring

      2. Avoid squeezing, squeezing, or teasing pimples. Although the temptation is great, remember that this way you will be much more prone to scar formation. Squeezing pimples will only push bacteria into the holes, making the swelling and redness worse.

         

         Squeezing pimples increases the spread of bacteria, with the risk of acne and inflammation spreading further

      3. Apply retinoids. According to research, topical retinoid treatment is one of the most effective methods of preventing scar formation. Choose retinoic acid products and apply them following the instructions on the package. Do the treatment for at least 12 weeks to prevent scarring.

         

         If possible, choose a product that also contains glycolic acid. Some studies have shown that the combination of retinoic acid and glycolic acid is more effective

      4. Quit smoking for more beautiful skin. If you have this habit, try to get rid of it or at least limit it. Smoking can damage the skin, and it is thought to be closely linked to acne scarring, especially in the case of women.

         

         • Smoking also accelerates skin aging and causes wrinkles to form.
         • To avoid dehydrating and damaging your skin, you should also limit your alcohol consumption.
         1. ↑
         2. ↑ Moores, J. (2013). Vitamin C: a wound healing perspective. British Journal Of Community Nursing, 18S6-s11.
         3. ↑
         4. ↑ Pandel, R., Poljšak, B., Godic, A., & Dahmane, R. (2013). Skin Photoaging and the Role of Antioxidants in Its Prevention. ISRN Dermatology, 1-11.
         5. ↑ Martindale, D. (2000). Scar no more. Scientific American, 283 (1), 34-36.
         6. ↑ Samadi, S., Khadivzadeh, T., Emami, A., Moosavi, N. S., Tafaghodi, M., & Behnam, H. R. (2010). The effect of Hypericum perforatum on the wound healing and scar of cesarean. Journal Of Alternative And Complementary Medicine (New York, N. Y.), 16 (1), 113-117.
         7. ↑
         8. ↑ Xie, Y., Fan, C., Dong, Y., Lynam, E., Leavesley, D. I., Li, K., &… Upton, Z. (2015). Functional and mechanistic investigation of Shikonin in scarring. Chemico-Biological Interactions, 22818-27.
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