While acne scars can develop after a breakout, early care may lower your risk of scarring. At Berman Skin Institute (BSI), our team of providers can help you manage acne, reduce future scarring and explore treatment options for existing acne scars.
Understanding Acne Scars
When your body heals after an acne breakout, your skin may clear without a lasting mark. In other cases, sunken or raised scars can develop.
You are more likely to develop acne scars if close family members have them or if you have significant, deep acne. Scratching or popping pimples can also increase your risk, though scarring can still happen without these risk factors.
Tips to Prevent Acne Scars
Acne scar prevention starts with these steps:
1. Never Scratch, Pick or Squeeze Acne
If you scratch, pop, pick or squeeze your acne, you are more likely to develop scars because these actions can increase inflammation and cause more trauma to the skin.
Picking or scratching can open the skin and introduce bacteria, increasing your risk of infection. Popping or squeezing can also push material deeper into the skin, which may worsen inflammation and scarring.
2. Follow a Gentle Skin Care Regimen for Acne
Your provider may recommend products, which you should use as directed. If your acne flare-ups are getting worse, do not stop your provider-recommended treatment. Instead, request a follow-up to review next steps.
In general, a gentle skin care regimen for acne can help cleanse your skin and reduce irritation. Look for gentle, oil-free and noncomedogenic cleansers, moisturizers and sunscreens, and ask your provider which products are right for your skin. During the day, keep your hands away from your face.
3. Address Acne Early
Even if acne begins with mild symptoms, early treatment can reduce the risk of deep and painful cysts and pimples, which can cause inflammation and scarring. In addition, some people get scarring even with mild acne or with blackheads and whiteheads, so early intervention can be important even if you never have significant breakouts.
Depending on your situation, your provider may suggest skin rejuvenation treatments, acne laser treatments, facials, chemical peels, acne extraction, Blu-U Light Therapy, or other options to support clearer skin and reduce inflammation.
Contact BSI Early to Minimize Scarring Risk
Treating acne early allows a dermatology provider to help you manage your risk of scarring. Schedule an appointment today to review your treatment options.
