7 Tried and Tested Ways to Lighten Acne Scars

Posted on January 1, 1970, Updated January 1, 1970

Battling against acne is in itself a challenge. While you may have already won your battle against skin breakouts, some reminders may linger, leaving a trail of unsightly marks: acne scars. These blemishes leave marks on the skin and stay for weeks or months long after your acne has disappeared. Raised and depressed scars, red marks, and dark spots on skin seem to stay forever. But truth be told, there are ways to lighten acne scars and eventually get rid of them.

Acne Scars 101

While breakouts can be annoying, the scars that they may leave behind are a whole other level of frustration. Here are a few of the key facts on acne scars:

Acne scars are unsightly marks that may or may not appear after a breakout. The risk factors include genetics, having inflammatory acne, and having the bad habit of popping or squeezing acne.
Acne scars are skin blemishes that result from when breakouts penetrate deep into the skin and start damaging tissues. This signals the body to produce collagen to repair the affected tissues. However, when too much or too little collagen is produced, scars tend to appear.
Scarring also causes red patches or skin pigmentation. Post acne redness and dark spots are often a result of skin trauma. When there is skin trauma, the skin’s melanin cells signal the production of more melanin to “defend” the dermis against the trauma. Hence, the unsightly skin discoloration or dark “stains” caused by scarring.

Treatment and Prevention of Scars

Acne scars are definitely frustrating. Seeing them every day and thinking of ways to just hide them because they seem to linger forever is expected. But note that while acne scars may not disappear overnight, there are ways to help address the problem. We give you a list of what you can do to make these marks less visible or totally gone.

AHA and BHA Exfoliation
Go for mild exfoliation using a facial wash or lotion that contains AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) and BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid). Mild exfoliation through chemical peeling helps fade post-inflammatory scarring and pigmentation. AHA acids like glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acid break down the substance that holds dead skin cells together, eventually showing brighter and younger skin underneath. Hence, the fading of acne scars and dark patches.
Serums with Vitamin C
Make sure you use skin-brightening serum with vitamin c in your daily skin regimen. Vitamin C is known to have a good lightening and brightening effect on skin. It’s one of the most known beauty vitamins that address acne scars. This antioxidant triggers collagen production that sheds off dull, dark skin, revealing a more radiant complexion. By inhibiting melanin production vitamin c helps lighten dark scars and brighten the skin.
Skincare using Retinol
To help lighten acne scars, there has to be an increase in cell turnover or cell renewal rate. To help you achieve this, use skincare products with retinol (Vitamin A). It effectively smoothens scars and improves skin texture by working on the surface and mid layers of the skin. While it is true that some acne marks fade away in time, retinol speeds up the process to eliminate even the stubborn spots.
Dermabrasion
For severe acne scars, procedures like dermabrasion can be done. This entails the use of a rotating wire brush or wheel with a rough surface. This tool is used to remove the top damaged layer of the skin through deep exfoliation. The goal is to lessen the appearance of visible acne scars and smoothen the surface.
Microneedling
Another way to help lighten severe acne scars is through a procedure called microneedling. This is a little more advanced as this uses a small needle-studded roller to do tiny punctures on the scarred areas of the skin. When the “wounded” part of the skin starts to heal, collagen is produced. This evens out the texture of the skin, smoothens it, and lessens the visibility of the scars.
Light Therapy
If you’re not too comfortable going through microneedling or dermabrasion, light therapy is a good option. It’s a non-invasive procedure that uses red LED light to prompt cellular repair and even out the skin tone. By triggering collagen production, newer skin cells are produced, replacing those that are severely scarred and discolored.
Oral Anti-Acne Medication
Use an oral anti-acne medication that contains skin-healing and skin-nourishing active ingredients. Topicals may not be enough to address some concerns on acne scars especially if your goal is to speed up skin repair. Oral anti-acne medications work from within; and this is what is exactly needed to help bring back the skin’s radiance.

Use Lactezin, an over-the-counter anti-acne oral medication that contains pimple-fighting ingredients. It has Lactoferrin that protects the skin from scar-inducing inflammation, Vitamin E that keeps the skin cells healthy, and Zinc that improves the skin’s natural defenses, helping it heal and repair.

Taken twice daily for 2 weeks, Lactoferrin + d-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate + Zinc (Lactezin) gives you visible results. Lactezin, The Pimple Expert is available in all leading drugstores nationwide. You may also purchase online through Shopee.