Acne is quite frustrating, and people become very self-conscious as it always pops up at the wrong time. Although acne is commonly considered a teenage problem, it can appear at any age. This blog talks about the finer details of acne and suggests tips on getting rid of acne redness. But first, let’s understand the specific types of acne scars.
Acne scars
Acne scars are blemishes caused by skin pores engorged with excess oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells. They form due to collagen accumulation at the acne spot.
Acne scars can be categorized as–
- Discoloration scarring – This scar is caused by hyperpigmentation that makes the skin dark even after the blemish wound is gone.
- Indentation scarring – This scar results from severe acne, leaving an indentation in the skin. It occurs when the wound is not completely healed or regenerated.
Inflamed acne scars or lesions cause redness on the skin. When inflammation is reduced, the dark color usually becomes lighter.
Acne redness
Acne redness is indicative of underlying irritation and inflammation in the skin. Early acne redness may indicate that the person is likely to scar.
You must apply gentle anti-inflammatory ointments to treat acne and avoid using a scrub or harsh products. In addition, do not overuse multiple oil-removing products; just keep the skin clean.
What is the cause of acne redness?
Acne redness is caused by trauma to the skin cells caused by skin infection or picking at acne. If you pick at your acne blemish, it will leave a red, dark, or purple mark that can hang around for weeks. In addition, when acne is stretched, it damages the surrounding tissue, increasing melanin activity and leaving an acne scar.
Acne redness is seen in the form of:
Papules: pus-filled red bumps on the skin surface
Pustules: larger papules
Nodules: small, pus-filled bumps below the skin’s surface, can be red or skin-colored
Cysts: large, red, pus-filled, painful inflammations beneath the skin’s surface
How to get rid of acne redness?
To maintain acne-free skin, you can try the following:
- Cleansing – Follow the skin cleanse routine twice daily with a mild, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic cleanser.
- Niacinamide – Use skin care products with niacinamide (vitamin B3) to reduce acne-related inflammation and redness. It is usually found in serum or cream forms to be applied topically.
- Salicylic acid – Salicylic products have anti-inflammatory (anti-redness), antimicrobial, and antifungal properties; therefore, they can be applied to red blemishes.
- Pimple patches – Pimple patches or stickers can only be applied to a few locations. It contains salicylic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, etc., to reduce acne scars and promote healing.
These are more like a care routine to be followed, but sometimes you need professional help for consistent, painful, and inflamed acne. An experienced doctor like Dr. Shehla Ebrahim can evaluate your skin and prescribe acne treatments such as laser therapy, chemical peels, or topical application creams.
Acne Treatment
Dr. Shehla suggests acne treatments based on your acne scar’s age and type. Other than laser treatment, some more options are available, like-
- TCA peels for ice pick scars
- Plasmage for boxed scars
- Subcision with fillers or saline for rolled scars
- Microneedling with radiofrequency
- Fractional Ablative Resurfacing
- Total Ablative Resurfacing
Why contact Dr. Shehla Ebrahim for your acne treatment?
Keeping redness fighters and a good concealer isn‘t a bad idea to cover acne occasionally. But you must contact a skincare expert if acne redness won’t go away after a few days of at-home care. Another reason to meet an expert is that acne can sometimes be confused with other skin disorders.
Treating acne scars is not easy. While many technologies are available, there is not a single treatment that does everything. Usually, a combination of treatments gives the best outcome. Dr. Shehla offers personalized acne treatment after making a proper diagnosis based on the type of scar, the scar’s duration, the patient’s age, downtime, and the cost involved. All these factors need to be factored in, which is why a highly qualified Physician like Dr. Ebrahim is your best option for a successful outcome.