How To Treat And Prevent Pitted Acne Scars

Acne, when not handled well, leaves its footprint behind – acne scars. While most times you can rely on skincare ingredients and home remedies to fade these post-inflammatory pigmentation, dealing with deep pitted acne scars is a whole another ball game. Keep scrolling to know the A-Z about how to deal and prevent pitted acne scars. 

What exactly are pitted scars?

Usually caused due to severe acne, pitted scars are crater-like depressions on areas of your skin where there was a sudden loss of collagen. Think of it this way – you get acne, and your skin is trying to heal itself. But mid-way the ‘collagen tank’ runs out and your skin is left with these hollow, sunken marks. If not treated soon they might even become permanent. Other causes behind pitted scars are chickenpox, surgery, or accidents. 

When the factors responsible for supporting the skin are lost, the skin tissues lose their ability to heal and produce new collagen, pulling the skin down. 

What are the types of pitted acne scars? 

Based on the degree of severity, pitted acne scars can be divided into three types: ice pick, boxcar and rolling. 

Ice pick: they are tiny, narrow holes that look as if they’re been made with a tiny icepick. They run deep into skin and are most difficult to treat because of their depth. 

Boxcar: they are wide and shallow. Boxcar scars have really defined edges, and they are usually the type of scars that are left behind after chickenpox. 

Rolling: these largely vary in depth and in diameter. They have softer edges and create a wavy look on the face.

Based on how severe or deep your pitted acne scars are, you can opt for a viable solution from the below list. 

Ways to treat pitted acne scars 

You might need two or even more ways to completely heal the scars. It might take long, but hang in there and be consistent! 

1. Chemical exfoliation

The purpose of exfoliation is to increase cell turnover and reduce acne-causing bacteria. Glycolic acid and salicylic acid come first to treat even the most stubborn acne scars by exfoliating the topmost layer of skin to resurface newer skin cells. If you’ve developed new pitted scars or if your old ones are not too deep, then chemical exfoliators will work great for you. 

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• Mama Cica Instabright Peel Pads MRP: ₹699 
• Yuzu Fine Brightening Peeling Gel MRP: ₹499 
• Mama Cica Oil Fix Exfoliating Gel Mask MRP: ₹499

2. Laser Resurfacing

This is a dermat-only skin treatment that works great for pitted acne scars. It is done in two ways – ablative and non-ablative. The ablative laser removes the pitted part of the skin to reveal new and smooth skin. On the other hand, non-ablative lasers treat scars by inducing collagen production and heat. It intentionally causes damage to skin so that the healing process can begin. The whole process takes about 6-8 sessions. Laser resurfacing is beneficial for those with old and difficult pitted scars.

3. Pick ingredients to strengthen your skin barrier 

Keeping your skin’s barrier strong and healthy is one great way to prevent and reduce the appearance of pitted scars. They will not only reduce the occurrence of acne but also promote collagen and elastin production that will help fill up the pits on your skin. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, ginseng, peptides, and retinol are perfect when it comes to barrier health. 

Quench Recommends: 

• Birch Please Skin Soothing Clarifying Serum MRP: ₹699
• Mama Cica Dark Spot Correcting Ampoule MRP: ₹699

4. Fillers

Again a dermat-only procedure that fills the pits for a smoother and even-looking skin. The fillers help augment the soft tissues, thus adding volume to the scars and reducing its appearance. Hyaluronic acid is the most commonly used filler, as it is also naturally-found in the body and the body enzymes will eventually digest it over time.

5. Wearing acne patches

Most often than not, pits and scars are caused when we pick at acne and mishandle them. Wearing acne patches not only offers targeted action against the acne, but also helps keep your hands off it. They are infused with acne-busting ingredients that pull out all gunk and impurities and help soothe and calm the broken skin. 

Quench Recommends: 

Mama Cica Zit Away Treatment Patches MRP: ₹299 

6. Microneedling 

This is yet another minimal invasive and effective remedy to reduce severe acne scarring. In this procedure, your skin is pricked with 1.5 to 2mm needles to cause 'micro' tears in your skin. This stimulates your body's natural healing process and promotes collagen synthesis, which reinforces the skin and smoothens out acne scars. 

Few ways to prevent acne and acne scars!

1. Maintain a consistent skincare routine. Keeping your skin free of acne-causing bacteria, and feeding it with hydrating and nourishing ingredients will help keep acne at bay, and by extension pitted acne scars as well. 
2. Never step out without wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Sun exposure will further reduce collagen in skin and worsen the scars. 
3. Keep your gut healthy. Have a clean diet rich in vitamins, minerals and fibers and avoid dairy products, processed and sugar-y foods to accelerate your acne-healing-process. 

Put a pit-stop to pitted acne scars with these above tips and thank us later!