Acne Scars

Did you know that acne and acne scar treatment have been around forever, long before our modern lifestyle or eating habits were even a thing? In numerous works of literature — from the Bible to Shakespearean plays — there are references to acne, or as it was once called, “skin eruptions.” From biblical times and the Shakespearean era to modern days, acne has always been seen as strange, inhuman, and even devilish. This perception often makes us uncomfortable and lowers our self-esteem. Over the years, acne has had many definitions under its belt — and not just definitions, but different names and types too. That’s why it can be confusing to understand which kind of acne leaves scars and which needs professional acne scar treatment for long-term results.

Acne is a build-up of oil called sebum and dead skin cells in the pores of our skin. These pores are tiny holes in our skin from where hair starts to grow. And the sebum helps moisturize our hair and skin. So, this excess buildup of oil, dirt, and dead skin cells in pores leads to clogging. This clogging commonly causes bumps, pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, blemishes, acne spots, and scars on our face, chest, and back.

Acne scars and spots are not just limited to teenagers; adults also have acne more often than we think.  

Now that we are familiar with acne, let’s understand some more associated concerns. In that regard, the most common one is acne scars. These are raised and depressed areas of our skin left behind after acne has healed completely. It’s like a ghost of dead acne that stays back to haunt us more. These scars are basically of two types: 

1. Hypertrophic Acne Scars- These acne scars are also known as keloid scars. Hypertrophic acne scars on our skin get thick because of excess collagen production during acne healing. This type of acne scar is common in people with darker skin tones.
2. Atrophic Acne Scars- Atrophic acne scars get depressed or sunken into our skin because of a loss of tissues during acne healing. These acne scars can be classified into icepick, boxcar, and rolling scars.  

You are likelier to get acne scars when:

• You have inflammatory swollen, reddish, and painful acne.
• You don’t treat inflammatory acne
• You pick, pop, or squeeze acne
• You have a blood relative with acne scars 

This generic term can envelop concerns such as  dark spots , age spots, acne spots, wrinkles, freckles, sunburn, and sun damage. So, any spots or freckles on your body can be primarily considered blemishes. 

You are more likely to get blemishes when: 

• You don’t wash your face regularly,
• You avoid eating healthy foods,
• You don’t shampoo your hair,
• You use a heavy moisturizer or oily sunscreen  

Apart from these usual reasons, there are hormonal imbalances during puberty, the menstrual cycle, and menopause can also cause blemishes on your face, chin, and other parts of the body. 

Now that we’ve understood the definition of acne, it is time to get to its different types and symptoms. Acne can be classified into fungal, cystic, hormonal, and nodular acne. Let’s further elaborate on its types. We know how much you love it. 

• Fungal Acne- This mild acne occurs due to yeast overgrowth in our skin pores due to moist skin, weak immunity, tight clothes, and tropical environments. This acne looks like skin breakouts dispersed in a part of our skin. It can cause itchiness and stinging in our skin.
• Cystic Acne- This severe form of acne causes deep pus-filled pimples, making it much more challenging and messier for us to eliminate. It mostly happens because of bacteria clogging our skin's pores. If not treated well, it can lead to permanent scars and spots on our skin/face.  
• Hormonal Acne- This moderate form of acne occurs because of an overproduction of sebum (a substance that makes our skin oily) because of fluctuations of hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in our bodies. These hormones fluctuate because of the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause, diabetes, stress, overdosage of carbs, fats & lactose, and other unhealthy lifestyle practices.  
• Nodular Acne-  This severe acne occurs when bacteria get trapped in our skin. It causes lumps or knots (nodules) to form deep under your skin. These lumps appear on the skin as red bumps. Moreover, they usually don’t have blackheads or whiteheads at the center of acne.  

There are less common types of acne, such as whiteheads, papules, pustules, and blackheads. We might as well take a look at them too.

No matter how many types of acne exist, they all are painful, irritating, and lower our confidence. But we can tackle them effectively by following the best skin care treatment plans.

Though our skin might get one, two, or more types of acne, their causes will always be similar. Once we know the specific cause, we can treat acne better. So, let’s get to them: 

• Sebum- As mentioned in the definition of acne, the pores from which our hair grows get clogged with Sebum, a kind of oil that acts as a protective barrier for your skin against UV radiation. This clogging happens more than usual because sebum is secreted a lot by our skin glands. Thus, sebum is the most common acne-causing factor.
• Bacteria- Our skin houses many types of bacteria with unpronounceable names. They don’t just live there rent-free; these microorganisms and microbes protect us from harmful pathogens, water loss, and skin damage. But sometimes, these bacteria get clogged with oil in the pores of our skin, which leads to acne of various kinds.
• Dead Skin Cells- You must know that our skin comprises living cells, and often skin sheds dead cells to make way for newer cells. Sometimes when our skin releases deal cells, they get stuck in the pores of our skin, which leads to clogging, i.e., acne. 

These factors lead to swelling, skin inflammation, discoloration like redness around pimples/acne scars, and pain. 

Apart from these genetic and natural factors of acne, other factors in our surroundings can trigger acne & pimples or make them worse. So, let’s get to them as well. 

• Diet- If we eat a lot of cakes, pastries, candies, milk, cereal, and cheese-based food, then we’re more likely to get acne or pimples on our skin. This happens because these diets contain high amounts of glucose and glycemic carbs. If we start to control our diet, we can reduce the impact of acne on our skin.
• Friction- Our skin gets moist and choked up when wearing tight, unbreathable clothing items. The tight fittings can trap bacteria under the skin, further leading to inflamed acne.
• Environmental Factors- Various pollutants like dirt, dust, and other chemicals can get clogged up in the pores. So, the pores of our skin are the most sensitive part when it comes to acne.
• Cosmetics & Beauty Products- Heavy moisturizers, lotions, and creams on oily skin can also clog pores and cause acne. So, knowing our skin type and what products it needs is essential. 

It is important to note that these factors can vary from person to person, and it may take some trial and error to determine the specific factors causing or worsening your acne. 

We at Kaya understand how acne and post-acne marks can hamper your self-esteem and confidence. It also impacts mental well-being because we worry a lot about it. That’s why Kaya brings you its 360-degree approach that not only targets acne but also offers effective acne scar treatment solutions to restore clear, healthy skin. Our approach includes a blend of products and services designed for acne-prone skin, helping you prevent future breakouts and fade existing scars. These acne scar treatments are customized and personalized based on your skin type and the severity of acne.

Our dermatologists thoroughly analyze your skin to find the root cause of acne and related scarring. With this detailed analysis, we provide a combination of advanced peels, masks, cleansers, and medications customized just for your skin. Along with acne care, our experts also recommend acne scar treatment options like dermaroller, laser, or subcision to help minimize post-acne marks and pigmentation. Kaya’s holistic approach ensures visible improvement in both active acne and deep scars through medically tested solutions.

It begins with a consultation with our dermatologists for Acne and Blemish, which includes suggesting an advanced homecare system called  Tri-active Clear System  that includes Black Peel, Salicylic Peel, and Lactic Peel.

• Aectic Acid - It is anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, which prevents irregular and unnecessary clogging of pores and discoloration of your skin.
• Jasmonic Acid- This prevents exfoliation and prevents skin breakouts and roughness.
• Potassium Iodide- Faster recovery of wounds, further inflammation, and infection around the acne spot.  
• Salicyclic Acid- Removes all the excess oil glands and surface oil and disinfects your skin to prevent more acne formation.