How to remove acne scars and reduce their appearance

Living with acne can be difficult but, for many, the problems continue after the papules and pustules have cleared up. Acne can leave skin marked and scarred and, if someone has experienced severe acne, the subsequent scarring can be equally severe and distressing.

Thankfully, there are several options available for tackling these scars, but the best treatment is undoubtedly prevention - i.e. not getting the scars in the first place. If you are suffering from acute acne, then we recommend you consult a dermatologist as soon as possible. He or she will be able to recommend a treatment that can alleviate your acne so that scar formation can largely be avoided. 

You can find out which symptoms should prompt you to see a doctor and what he or she will then do here.

Undoubtedly the most noticeable and most severe consequence of acne is scarring, but acne can leave other marks behind such as pimple marks caused by post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). You can find out more about how to reduce and remove these in acne and hyperpigmentation.

Try to resist the temptation to fiddle with blackheads, whiteheads and other blemishes − either with your fingers or with other implements.

This can make the symptoms of acne worse and increase the risk of scarring. Scars form when the outermost layers of skin, the epidermis, has been damaged and the deeper layers of the skin are also affected.

Skin is unable to regenerate itself exactly as it was so the wound is replaced by granulation tissue which is made up of collagen fibres. These fibres fill the wound from the inside out and help to heal the damaged area of skin. This replacement tissue may heal the injury, but can also remain visible.

Certain factors can also increase the chances of developing acne scars or increasing their appearance, for example:

• Genetics: If your parents had acne when they were younger, you may have higher chances of developing acne.
• Sun exposure: The sun's rays trigger the production of melanin in the skin, which can make acne scars darker and more noticeable.
• Puberty: One of the side effects of the hormonal changes our bodies go through during puberty is acne. Picking at blemishes can leave scars, however if the acne is severe, there may be scars left even if the acne was left untouched.
• Gender: While both men and women can develop acne, men tend to develop more severe acne due to the hormone androgen.

There are several different types of acne scars. The following are those most closely associated with acne:

These are pitted or sunken scars and are sometimes referred to as 'ice pick scars'. They develop when a wound does not heal correctly and too little binding tissue is formed. The scar then develops beneath the surrounding tissue and a small, visible indentation (dimple) develops.

You can recognise hypertrophic scars from an elevation in the skin or scar tissue. Where there was previously an inflamed blemish, the skin produces ‘inferior’ tissue. This doesn’t have the same structure as healthy tissue and therefore becomes thicker and sits above the surrounding skin. 

When a hypertrophic scar continues to grow and spreads into other areas of the skin it is known as a keloid. Keloid scars are raised and are a reddish purple when new but then fade. This form of scar is only occasionally caused by acne, it is more commonly associated with burns.

The main way to prevent acne scars is to not pick or damage the skin while the acne inflammation is still active, however for some acne sufferers, this is a lot easier said than done. In severe acne cases, there may still be scarring left behind from the inflammation itself.

Another way to reduce acne scarring is to treat acne as soon as it develops in order to reduce inflammation. We recommend using the Eucerin DermoPurifyer range, which uses scientifically-tested ingredients to treat the root causes of acne, and following a skincare routine for acne-prone skin.

Sadly, it is not possible to remove scars completely, but they can be significantly reduced and made much less noticeable. It is also possible that your skin will improve itself over the years. 

If you decide your scars need treatment, there are various options available. The right option for you will depend on the nature, size and form of your scarring. Those which involve invasive treatment should be discussed with your doctor, and no treatment should start until your acne has completely healed.

Eucerin DermoPurifyer Triple Effect Serum, with patented Thiamidol, reduces post-acne marks, blemishes, and controls shine. First visible results in 2 weeks and continuous improvement over time. This has enhanced efficacy when used together with the DermoPurifyer Protective Fluid SPF 30.

An acne scar differs from the surrounding skin in the way it looks and behaves. 

Oil or sweat glands cannot reform in the scar tissue, and hair is unable to grow on it. Scar tissue also has fewer elastic fibres, so skin often looks and feels harder. Circulation and moisturisation are also compromised in scar tissue, making it harder for scarred skin to maintain the levels of hydration it needs and it can dry out. 

Acne scars won't disappear entirely on their own but they can be reduced with treatment. The time it takes for them to fade depends on the type of acne scars, described above.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or redness usually takes anywhere from two months to two years to fade, so patience will be required. To help prevent acne scarring you should use Eucerin acne products to reduce breakouts.