Get rid of pockmarked acne scars using cream, is it effective?

Acne is not only irritating when it appears, but also when it disappears and leaves scars. There are acne scars that are reddish or blackish on the face so that they are pockmarked which makes the skin texture uneven. Compared to reddish and black spots, removing acne scars is much more difficult. Various treatments are claimed to be able to get rid of pockmarked acne scars, including creams. However, is it true that pockmarked acne scars can be removed with just a cream?

The cause of pockmarked acne scars

Pockmarked acne or in medical terms is called atrophic acne scars (atrophic acne scars) is a skin disorder that can appear when acne causes a wound on the skin. Unfortunately, skin cells are not able to produce enough collagen to fill in damaged areas. As a result, there is an indentation (hollow) in the skin.

In other cases, acne can also cause the skin to produce too much collagen, which can be the opposite. The surface of the skin of the acne scars is filled with excess so that it protrudes or what is known as hypertrophic acne scars.

Can you get rid of acne scars pocked with cream?

In general, creams will not get rid of pockmarks of acne scars or atrophic acne scars. Cream only reduces the appearance and dark color it causes. The reason is, the cream will not be able to close the basin due to a pockmark.

It takes other types of treatment besides cream to be able to get rid of pockmarked acne scars. However, before choosing the right treatment for this type of acne scar pockmark, I will tell you the types of atrophic acne scars:

• Boxcar, pockmarked with a wide shape like the letter U and has a firm side. This type of pockmark can be deep or shallow.
• Ice pick, this skar is shaped like a V and is generally quite deep. This type of pockmark is the most difficult to return to its original state because it has a deep enough basin.
• RollingThe pockmark is usually quite wide with rounded, irregular edges.

Apart from creams, are there other ways to get rid of acne scars pocked?

In addition to creams, how to get rid of pockmarked acne scars depends on the type. So, there is no one treatment method that can deal with all types of pockmarks at once. Usually the most effective way is to do a combination of several treatments such as:

Cream

Face cream containing AHA, lactic acid, and retinoids. Once again, I emphasize that using creams cannot bring back the pockmarked skin back to flatness. Cream is only used to improve the appearance of the color on the pockmark, which usually darkens.

Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion is a technique of exfoliating the skin using a rotating device on the surface of the facial skin. The goal is to lift the outer skin of the face. This one therapy is useful for treating atrophic acne scars with shallow basins.

Chemical peels

Chemical peels is a technique to remove dead skin cells using a special cream based on chemicals. Peeling used is a type of acid strong enough to penetrate the skin several layers down. Therefore, it must be done in a skin health clinic and handled by an experienced doctor.

Laser resurfacing

Laser resurfacing is the use of a fractional CO2 laser, Erbium, and other ingredients to treat imperfect skin structures so that new, flatter, healthy skin can grow.

Dermal filler

Dermal filler usually chosen for the pockmark type acne scars boxcar and rolling. Filler can use hyaluronic acid, or fat from the body itself or collagen to be injected under the pockmarked skin. The point is to lift areas that experience basins.

Microneedle therapy

This one therapy is done using small needles that are pierced with a certain depth into the skin. The goal is to stimulate the formation of new collagen in the area of ​​atrophic acne scars.

Minor skin surgery

Usually this method is done for large pockmarks of acne scars and does not work to be treated with the treatments that have been mentioned previously.

How to prevent acne scars pocked

Pockmarks do not harm you. However, this can usually reduce your self-confidence because you are embarrassed by the condition of uneven facial skin.

So that you don't have to bother and bother thinking about what treatments can be done to get rid of pockmarked acne scars, the best way is to prevent their appearance. This is what you need to do.

Wash your face regularly

Wash your face twice a day in the morning and at night to help prevent acne, which can cause both atrophic and hypertrophic acne scars. Use a facial soap that contains benzoyl peroxide and sulfur which can clean acne-causing bacteria on the face.

Don't squeeze pimples

Here comes a habit that is very difficult to break for some people, popping pimples. If you don't want to have pockmarked acne scars on your facial skin, don't squeeze it when it's inflamed, especially with dirty hands. Instead, apply a cream that contains benzoyl peroxide or sulfur.

However, if the acne doesn't go flat, immediately visit a Dermatologist (Sp.KK) to get a more appropriate treatment according to the type of acne you have.

Wear sunscreen

Avoiding excessive UV exposure from the sun with sunscreen is one way you can apply to prevent existing pockmarks from becoming less and less unsightly. The reason is, UV rays can cause the pockmarked acne scars to become darker and exacerbate the hollow wound on the pockmark.

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