Acne is often associated with puberty but the reality is that it can happen to anyone at any stage of life. You may have escaped your younger years with very little acne only to suddenly experience it as you start your working life.
It’s surprisingly common and often results in acne scars. The good news is that you don’t need to lie with these scars, it is possible to get rid of acne scars. I know, I’ve done it!
Causes of Acne
It’s important to understand what causes acne. One f the main issues is excess sebum production, that’s oil. This mixes with dead skin cells and clogs your pores, creating acne.
It’s often triggered by hormonal changes, a variety of medications, stress, or even a poor diet.
Even if you don’t pick or scratch your acne, you’ll find your face is marked with pits and dips. Time does a great job of making these fade. But, you can take a few steps yourself to eliminate the acne scars.
Potions and Lotions
This is the least invasive option and the best starting point. For many, the right lotion can work wonders. The trick is to use a natural product, such as this impressive range of Alya skin products. I found the pink clay mask to be particularly beneficial.
Using the pomegranate facial exfoliate has also been very beneficial as it removes dead cells and allows my skin to breath, improving its texture, and reducing the scars.
Microneedling
At the other end of the scale, you can have a qualified doctor undertake microneedling on your skin. This is when tiny needles are inserted to create micro-injuries. The aim is to boost your collagen production. This fills your skin out naturally, removing the dips and pits to create flawless skin.
It’s very efficient and effective but costly and you’ll need to stay indoors for two weeks afterward.
Lasering
An alternative is to have laser resurfacing. Non-ablative lasers also stimulate collagen production, encouraging the skin to naturally repair itself. However, this is generally only effective on lighter skin.
If you have darker skin you’ll need an infra-red laser. It will feel like you have a very bad sunburn but your skin will peel within a couple of days and look fantastic underneath.
It’s normal to need 3-4 treatments.
Chemical Peels
Another option, slightly less invasive, is chemical peels. Although you can purchase these in stores its best to let the dermatologist choose and apply one. They are administered to your skin like a cream and then left in place for a specific amount of time.
The cream is then peeled off your face. It removes dead skin cells, brightens skin, and encourages collagen production. This approach can take as long as 6 months to be really effective.
Fillers
Finally, you can have fillers injected into your skin that encourages collagen production. This fills your skin, remove the pits, and dips. The effect is virtually instant but fades over time. It will take repeated treatments for the scars to disappear forever.