Chronic acne leaves some nasty scars. Can whitening products fade this scarring? Pigmentations left from scars are very different from those of freckles; most acne scars are very superficial, while freckles are formed on
a deep layer of skin.
Whether skin whiteners work depends on the type of acne the scar was formed
by. Types of acne include closed comedo (whitehead), open comedo (blackhead),
papule, pustule, cyst, or acne conglobata (on back, buttocks, and chest), and
each type has a different type of scarring effect. A popular product out on the market for skin whitening is Obagi Clear, and the entire Obagi Skin Care line.
Scarring acne can leave behind include ice pick scars (deep pits), box car scars (similar to chicken pox), rolling craters (cratered like the moon ? General Noriega had scars like this), or hypertrophic scars (rubbery, dark red, firm, often confused with scars from a burn victim). If cost is an issue, an option would be to seek the advice of a dermatologist philippines, or a more evasive solution with a plastic surgery philippines procedure.
You may be more fortunate and get macules, or pseudo scars, which are flat, reddish spots that may remain up to six months. It will disappear with no trace, unlike a scar, and regular exfoliation will improve its appearance and speed its disappearance.
Post-inflammatory pigmentation is the discoloration of skin where a lesion healed or is healing. Some of this may last up to 18 months, particularly with sun exposure. This is the most frequent type of scarring for an acne sufferer.
Whitening products suppress melanin production and treat skin discolorations caused by an imbalance in melanin production. Scars changing the surface of the skin rather than the color (like ice-pick or rolling scars) cannot be treated with whitening products. Instead, whitening product fade post-
inflammatory pigmentation, though not as effectively as they fade freckles.
Acne sufferers think whitening products will help. But for many, the root of the problem of acne as well as scarring is dehydration or skin dryness. Whitening only helps post-inflammatory pigmentation, or macules once they?ve occurred. Your oil/moisture is still imbalanced. First you must fix the imbalance. Afterward, you can work on repairing the scars.
Serums and essences can help achieve that balance by penetrating deep into your skin, unlike ordinary moisturizers. Regular use helps you obtain an optimum balance of oil and moisture. And as skin is hydrated, skin cells damaged by acne will be repaired. Ultimately, the top layer of damaged cells will slough off; if the cells beneath are properly hydrated, you?ll see a decrease in acne.
Once the balance has been achieved, you need to repair the damage. For scarring, exfoliation is your best bet. Start with peel-off masks and scrubs to exfoliate dead skin and sebum, and minimize the appearance of post-inflammatory pigmentation or macules.
If your acne does not improve, it may be hormonal. For this, you should see a
doctor. And if your scars are very severe, you may have to see a doctor to get a chemical peel.
You must also be patient and wait for the miracle; it?s not overnight. And you should not squeeze or pop acne.