Acne scars and spots : Causes, care, best creams and skincare

Le cicatrici da acne si possono manifestare durante la guarigione di qualsiasi tipologia di acne attiva. Si suddividono in due tipi principali:
- atrofiche, se dovute ad una perdita netta di collagene. Ovvero: durante il processo di guarigione dell'acne, la pelle non produce abbastanza collagene, che è la proteina che contribuisce a mantenere la pelle liscia e tonica. Questa risulta in cicatrici che appaiono come piccole depressioni o buchi sulla superficie della pelle.

- ipertrofiche (o cheloidi) se dovute ad un guadagno di collagene. Queste si sviluppano quando la pelle produce troppo collagene mentre l'acne sta guarendo. Questo eccesso crea cicatrici che sporgono dalla superficie della pelle, dando un aspetto nodoso o a rilievo.

Causes of acne scars

The delay in acne treatment has been associated with a greater degree of scarring. Acne causes skin inflammation, which leads to an imbalance in collagen production and breakdown. Scars develop, in particular, when acne damage goes beyond the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin, and reaches the deeper layers. In response to this damage, the skin begins to produce collagen, a protein that helps repair and regenerate tissues (or fails to produce enough to fix the damage caused).

The new tissue generated, therefore, does not look and have the exact same structure as the original skin, resulting in a visible scar.

Can acne scars be removed? Here are the remedies to reduce them

Even if it is impossible to completely eliminate acne scars once they have formed, there are several treatments and remedies available that can help reduce their visibility and improve the appearance of the skin.

Topical creams and gels, for example, can be effective in treating superficial scars. They contain active ingredients such as vitamin C, retinol or hyaluronic acid that can help stimulate collagen production and renew skin cells. In addition, dermatological treatments, such as chemical peels or laser, can remove the upper layers of the skin to encourage cell turnover and the production of new healthy cells.

Substances to use

To treat acne scars, focus on:

  • Retinoids: the best allies against scars, they stimulate deep cell turnover and speed up the skin cell cycle, prevent collagen breakdown, and stimulate its synthesis.
  • Vitamin C: an antioxidant, it stimulates collagen.
  • Exfoliating acids: choosing between AHAs, such as glycolic acid, and BHAs, including salicylic acid.

How to prevent acne scars

To prevent acne scars, it is important to reduce the duration and intensity of inflammation as much as possible, keeping in mind the importance of treating acne, from which scars and spots can form.