To be continued: post-acne

Pimples do not always disappear without a trace. “Inheritance” from them may remain traces of post-acne in the form of spots and scars. They will also need to be dealt with. Let’s do it together.

What is post-acne and what are its types

Post-acne is the marks left after acne. We are talking about a local change in the color or relief of the skin at the site where the pimple was. Everyone who is closely familiar with this phenomenon has questions: how to get rid of post-acne on the face, can it be done at home or only a cosmetologist can handle this task, what remedies for post-acne exist (and are there any at all), what helps?

To begin with, let’s figure out what post-acne looks like, what types of spots are and what are the reasons for their appearance.

  • Red, brown spots are the result of damage to blood vessels at the site of deep inflammatory elements, as well as roughly squeezed out acne.

  • Brown spots are pigmented, they are also called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

  • Scars – look like depressions, depressions of different calibers. In fact, they are a replacement tissue formed during the healing process of skin damaged by inflammation. Difficult to correct.

Of course, not in all cases, acne leaves “souvenirs”. There are a number of specific prerequisites for the formation of post-acne.

Before you continue reading, check if you know how to care for problem skin.

So, what can cause post-acne formation?

  • Prolonged acne, which negatively affects the regenerative capabilities of the skin, undermining them.

  • Deep inflammatory elements. They characterize moderate and severe acne, which often end in scarring of the skin.

  • Pimple squeezing. The use of brute force injures the vessels (here’s the spotting for you), and also deepens the inflammation, which forces the skin to save the situation by forming scar tissue.

  • Age. Adult non-teenage acne, appearing after the age of 21, leaves more noticeable traces.

How to get rid of post-acne at a beautician

Can a beautician remove post-acne? The answer to this question interests everyone who is faced with the consequences of acne. The good news is that in most cases it will be positive. However, much depends on the type of post-acne and the severity of the defect.

Be that as it may, if you seriously decide to do everything possible to quickly remove post-acne, you have a direct road to a dermatologist. An experienced specialist will select the most optimal methods and procedures for a particular case. Fortunately, today there are plenty to choose from.
Most post-acne procedures are aimed at damaging or even destroying the “old” tissue and stimulating recovery processes. This can be done in many ways: mechanically, chemically, with the help of physical energy.

Microcrystalline dermabrasion

This term hides dosed damage to the skin with the help of a fine abrasive in order to start the regeneration process and even out the skin. Manipulations for the correction of scars are quite traumatic and require a long course with long pauses for complete rehabilitation.

Acid peeling

The skin resurfacing treatment is based on the ability of acids to damage the epidermis, thereby causing the exfoliation of old cells and the formation of new ones. Effective for the correction of all types of post-acne. To smooth out scars, a median peel is used, affecting fairly deep layers of the skin. As a result, the scars become less noticeable. But it is impossible to completely get rid of irregularities, as if they did not exist at all.

Fractional laser peeling

In terms of the level of exposure and the result, it is close to the median peeling, but due to fractional (fragmentary) skin damage, rehabilitation is easier. The laser is very effective for scars, uneven relief, pigmentation.

Carboxytherapy

Saturation of the skin with carbon dioxide boosts blood circulation and starts the regeneration process. According to studies, the combination of carboxytherapy and fractional laser gives impressive results when exposed to post-acne scars.

Micronidling

Dermaroller – a device in the form of a roller with thin needles – rolls over the problem area of ​​the skin in different directions, creating numerous microtraumas, and thus stimulates the recovery processes and collagen production. By the way, the fractional laser mentioned above operates on a similar principle. Only here it is a mechanical effect, and there it is laser energy.

Cryotherapy

A course of cold massage, namely liquid nitrogen, enhances local blood circulation and quickly copes with stagnant spots.

Phototherapy

Under the influence of light flashes, age spots of various origins are corrected.

How to deal with post-acne spots on the face at home: the best remedies for post-acne spots

Let’s make a reservation right away that even the best post-acne remedies for self-use are aimed exclusively at combating spots.

Basically, these are acid formulas:

  • AHA-acids (fruit) exfoliate the top layer of the epidermis, its texture becomes more even, and dark spots are less pronounced.

  • BHA-acids (salicylic) combine exfoliating effect with pore cleansing.

Post-acne – marks left after acne.

“For pigmentation spots, it is advisable to use brightening creams and serums, which can affect the synthesis and / or distribution of melanin. Such products contain azelaic acid, arbutin, ascorbic acid, glabridin, kojic acid, and others,” says Alexander Prokofiev, La Roche-Posay expert.

Exfoliators with acids

Serum against imperfections and signs of aging Blemish & Age Defense, SkinCeuticals

Serum with a set of various acids in the composition reduces the fat content of the skin, smoothes it, helps prevent new imperfections and reduce existing ones, as well as reduce post-acne spots.

Correcting cream-gel Effaclar Duo (+), La Roche-Posay

Thanks to the combination of salicylic and LHA acids, it promotes cellular renewal, while Prokerade ensures that residual acne marks in the form of red and dark spots do not appear on the skin. Formulated with Acqua Posae Filiformis, the brand’s signature ingredient, to help rebalance the skin.

Cleansing tonic against blackheads and oily sheen “Clean Skin”, Garnier

Contains salicylic acid and zinc, known for its ability to regulate sebum production. What you need to care for young problem skin.

Peeling serum “Revitalift Laser x3”, L’Oréal Paris

Due to the content of 10% glycolic acid, it renews the skin, evens out its tone and relief, including the reduction of post-acne traces. Requires regular use.

Peeling serum night action in ampoules LiftActiv Specialist Glyco-C, Vichy

An ampoule course with glycolic and citric acids, as well as vitamin C, also helps to reduce tone irregularities.

Anti-pigmentation products

Corrective cream for skin with hyperpigmentation Advanced Pigment Corrector, SkinCeuticals

The acids exfoliate the skin and prevent the recurrence of hyperpigmentation. With prolonged use, the cream can block excessive melanin synthesis, helps to lighten post-acne. The product can be applied locally, directly on the pigmented area.

Serum for even skin tone Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution, Kiehl’s

Vitamin C, extracts of birch and peony work together to even out skin tone, fight against pigmentation of any nature.

Is it possible to quickly remove post-acne spots

How to deal with post-acne with the help of cosmetology, sort of figured out. And at home? Alas, there is no magic eraser that can erase imperfections. Acne spots, especially with proper skin care (see above), will disappear on their own over time, you need to be patient and use appropriate cosmetics. To brighten up the waiting period, you can use camouflage.

Post-acne can be camouflaged with the help of special makeup products.

According to Healthy-Food, the best products for the visual correction of post-acne and, in general, almost any skin defects, are presented in the Dermablend, Vichy collection. The most illustrative example High coverage corrective foundation for acne-prone skin, Demablend, SPF 25, Vichy. Perfectly hides any defects (spots, irregularities) due to the plastic, pigmented texture. Learn how to apply this foundation correctly here.

Post-acne prevention

Acne is often the result of our own mistakes.

  • Self-treatment. There is no need to wait for acne to go away on its own or fight it with home-grown methods. The sooner you contact a dermatologist, the sooner you solve the problem without consequences.

  • Pimple squeezing. This is a taboo, you can’t squeeze acne, even if you really want to. Dissolving your hands, especially in the presence of deep rashes, you are at great risk of getting a stain, or even a scar, even if you manage to squeeze out the contents of the comedone. Technically, only a beautician can do this. At home, it is advisable to use a local remedy against pimples.

  • Neglect of sun protection. Pigmented traces of acne are associated with excessive synthesis of melanin, you should not provoke it. Choose a sunscreen with a high SPF for oily problematic skin. Details in this article.

  • Wrong nutrition. According to the modern concept of healthy eating, trans fats (in particular, processed seed and stone oils that are used for frying), as well as high-carbohydrate and sugary foods that increase blood insulin levels and trigger a cascade of reactions in the body leading to inflammation, are considered “wrong”.

If you want to improve the situation and not provoke the formation of deep rashes, review the diet. There are studies (though not yet large-scale) confirming the relationship between acne and the consumption of foods with a high glycemic index, while in private medical practice there are many cases of improvement in skin condition with a diet that excludes foods from the above categories.

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