It's bad enough that some of us are plagued with acne. After possible weeks or months of trying to clear our skin, we finally achieve our goal - only to find that we're left with another condition that cheap shots our self-esteem: acne scars.
What Are Acne Scars?
Acne scars are the result of inflammation of acne blemishes. Some acne blemishes are small and the scars created are shallow and heal quickly. Sometimes the contents of blemishes spill into the surrounding tissue and cause deeper scars in these pores. This then becomes a problem.
Are Acne Scars Permanent?
While some acne scars are permanent, not all are. Despite popular belief, some acne scars can be faded or diminished through certain skincare practices, which we'll run through in just a bit.
Some acne scars cause hyperpigmentation, which is where skin appears darker or discolored compared to the rest of your skin. Luckily, there are remedies for hyperpigmentation as well.
What Not to Do During a Breakout
First of all, let's run through the things not to do during a breakout so that you can reduce your chances of scarring in the first place.
Do not pick or scratch at your acne. Acne is already inflammed and picking or scratching is only going to irritate the skin more and worsen your condition. Not only this, but doing so may also spread inflammation-causing bacteria to other areas of your face and spread your breakout.
Do not try to pop your pimples. Even though some may be red and plump and look ready to pop, let your skin go about it's processes naturally. Popping may lead to further inflammation and scarring, which is what we're trying to prevent in the first place.
Don't use irritating products. This one should be a no-brainer because products containing harsher chemicals will most definitely wreak havoc on sensitive/compromised skin. Use gentle cleansers, don't be abrasive, and always read your labels.
The Power of Microneedling
Do any Google search and you'll find numerous ways in which people are looking to remove acne scars including chemical peels, fillers, and even harsh lasers.
What many don't know is that microneedling can be done at home, is safe, and can drastically reduce acne scarring and hyperpigmentation (as well as a plethora of other skin conditions).
How to Microneedle for Acne Scars
First, it's recommended to use a smaller needle size if you're new to microneedling in general. Although around 0.75mm to 1.0mm is recommended, try starting with a 0.5mm to ease your skin into the process.
Once you've become accustomed to the 0.5mm, try upping your needle length after a few weeks. Never exceed the recommended amount of times per week that you should be microneedling and always follow the directions included with your tool.
Never roll your dermaroller/microneedler back and forth. Instead, roll and lift in a consistent fashion in all directions, horizontally, vertically, and diagonally. If you feel pain or irritation, try lightening the pressure you're applying to your skin and never roll over irritated skin or fresh acne.
Choosing a Microneedler
There are tons of microneedlers on the market but not doing your research into some of these products can be costly. The amount of low-quality tools out there are high and with some brands trying to cut costs, they've resorted to creating microneedlers with fake needles which consist of wheeled spokes that can tarnish skin, cause scarring, and worsen your skin.
Gin Amber Beauty dermarollers are microneedlers that contain real, high quality needles. So when it comes to clearing acne scars, hyperpigmentation, or even other conditions like fine lines and wrinkles, you can rest assured knowing that your microneedling tool is of a higher caliber than most other dermarollers out there.
How Long Before You See Results?
While everyone's skin is different, results can take anywhere from 4 - 6 weeks. Best case scenario, acne scars can begin to diminish in as little as a month with consistent microneedling practice and healthy skincare regimens.
Keep in mind that it might be a good idea to figure what's causing your breakouts in the first place. Plenty of skin conditions stem from internal processes so take a look at your diet, how much water you're drinking, and other factors that might be contributing. Living a healthy lifestyle is key towards clear skin as well as maintaining and ensuring that your skin thrives with well-balanced skincare and protection.
The Takeaway
While acne scars won't disappear overnight, the fastest path towards clearer skin and diminished scarring is going to be microneedling. In as little as a month, you can begin seeing results and experiencing a new confidence and we think a month is almost no time at all to undergo such an incredible transformation.
Thank you Amber Babies for tuning into yet another blog post! Feel free to leave comments and questions and don't forget to visit me on TikTok, YouTube, and as well as on IG, @ginamberx, where I go over remarkably effective skincare tips, trends, and topics!