Latest news with #acnescars
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
I'm 45 and noticing old acne scars. Are chemical peels worth it?
I'm 45 and recently saw a photo of my face from the side — gasp! I was most surprised by some old acne scars that I can't see when I look in the mirror straight-on. What is the current advice on chemical peels or something similar? Is it worth scraping off a layer of barnacles at my age? I would be interested in trying it once or twice if it will give me a brief confidence boost, but I don't want to commit to anything regular or too pricey. — Dear Acne Scarred, Ugh. I'm sorry you're dealing with this. I hate it when a younger-me skin issue reappears to haunt my adulthood and make me feel self-conscious all over again — the current problems are enough! I don't need the old stuff too! That said, the best advice I can give you will not unfortunately be immediately gratifying. The reason for this is that the solution you're looking for is not one-size-fits-all: There are actually several different types of acne scars, and each requires a slightly different treatment strategy to achieve the best results. You'll have to visit a dermatologist to find the right plan for you. Once there, you'll most likely be advised to try one of the following nonsurgical, mostly noninvasive in-office treatments, all of which work in some way to resurface your skin and stimulate new collagen production, helping to smooth your complexion and fill in areas damaged by scarring. One big consideration here is your skin tone. Some of these approaches work better for darker skin, some are better for lighter tones. Again, this is a highly personalized treatment plan. Be sure to ask your skin care provider about any risks for your face, especially discoloration. Microneedling: Microneedling is the least invasive requires the least downtime. In this treatment, a technician uses a device with tiny needles to create tiny injuries on your skin's surface, injuries that send your cells into overdrive to produce new collagen and elastin. Several sessions are usually needed and cost between $200 to $700 each time. Chemical peels: This is where a concentrated chemical solution like glycolic acid is applied to skin to remove the top layer of dead cells and reduce the appearance of scarring as it goes. These treatments vary in depth and intensity and cost somewhere in the range of $300 to $3,000 per appointment, depending on a number of factors but mainly potency of the peel. Laser resurfacing: The most expensive (and for many people, the most effective) of the three, laser treatments ring in around $1,000 to $3,000 per session. There are multiple types, including ablative lasers, which remove the top layers of the skin and are best for deeper scars; and non-ablative, which work well for minor scarring and tend to be less damaging to your skin's surface. The best laser treatment for you will depend on a number of factors, including your skin type and tone — and your budget. Your dermatologist may also recommend things like dermal fillers, which can plump the skin around your scarring and create a smoother appearance, or even Botox, if the skin looks puckered. In terms of at-home treatments, depending on the severity of your scars, you could try chemical exfoliants at home for a few months — including those with ingredients like azelaic acid — to see if the condition improves. And, of course, sunscreen is always a must, but it's even more important if you have acne scars because the sun can bring more pigment to already damaged skin and make the scarring appear worse over time. I hope this helps.
WebMD
23-06-2025
- Health
- WebMD
How to Finally Treat Acne Scars (Without Wasting Time or Money)
Acne may fade, but the scars it leaves behind can linger for years – both on the skin and emotionally. For many, acne scars affect self-esteem and confidence, long after the last breakout has healed. The good news: Today's acne scar treatments are more effective, personalized, and safer than ever. The key is knowing what type of scars you have and how to match them with the most appropriate therapy. Understanding Your Acne Scars Not all acne scars are the same. Each type responds differently to treatment, so accurate identification is an important first step. Ice pick scars: Deep, narrow scars that resemble small puncture marks. Often considered one of the most challenging types to treat. Think V-shaped. Boxcar scars: Broad, well-defined depressions with sharp edges, commonly seen on the cheeks and temples. Think U-shaped. Rolling scars: Shallow, wave-like indentations caused by bands of scar tissue pulling down the skin. Hypertrophic or keloid scars: Raised, thickened scars often found on the chest, shoulders, or jawline. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) or erythema (PIE): Red or dark discoloration that remains after acne resolves, especially common in skin of color. While technically not a true scar, they can feel like it! Accurate diagnosis leads to more successful outcomes and avoids the trial and error that can waste both time and money. There Is No Universal 'Fix' Despite online claims, no single product or procedure treats every type of acne scar. Treatment needs to be customized based on scar type, skin tone, and individual goals. Be cautious of 'miracle' solutions or overly aggressive procedures that promise dramatic results overnight. Evidence-Based Treatments That Work Here are some of the most effective, dermatologist-approved methods: Subcision and Laser-Assisted Subcision Ideal for rolling scars, subcision involves releasing the fibrous bands beneath the skin that cause depressions. When combined with laser therapy, it also stimulates collagen for smoother skin. Microneedling With Radiofrequency This combines fine needles with thermal energy to remodel skin and improve texture. It is a preferred option for moderate scarring and has minimal downtime. TCA CROSS (Chemical Reconstruction of Skin Scars) This technique uses a high-strength acid like TCA or phenol, applied directly into ice pick scars to stimulate collagen production. It's highly targeted and effective for deep, narrow scars. Laser Resurfacing Ablative lasers like CO2 or erbium can improve skin texture and depth of scarring. Caution is advised for people with darker skin tones to reduce the risk of pigmentation issues. Topical Treatments for Pigmentation When scars leave behind discoloration, the following options can be effective: Broad-spectrum sunscreen used daily Tretinoin to increase skin turnover and collagen boosting Brightening agents such as vitamin C, niacinamide, azelaic acid, and tranexamic acid Lasers and chemical peels may also be used as a second step, once inflammation has resolved. Don't Overlook Fillers and Biostimulatory Treatments For certain types of depressed acne scars – like rolling or boxcar scars – injectables can offer fast and visible improvement. These are especially helpful when used alongside other treatments like subcision or microneedling. Here's how they work: Hyaluronic acid fillers: Add immediate volume to lift indented scars and smooth the skin's surface. Results are visible right away and can last six to 12 months. Biostimulatory injectables (like Sculptra or Radiesse): They do more than just fill. These stimulate your skin's natural collagen production for gradual, longer-lasting improvement, and they're especially useful in combination treatments. Combination therapy: This is often used after subcision to hold the skin up and prevent the scar from tethering down again. While not a permanent fix, fillers can be a powerful tool in your acne scar treatment plan, especially if you're looking for quicker wins while working on long-term skin texture. Address Active Acne First Scar treatments are only effective when active acne is controlled. Initiating scar therapy while breakouts continue can undermine results and increase the risk of complications. Begin by managing active acne to set the foundation for long-term skin health. Set Realistic Expectations While complete scar removal is unlikely, significant improvement – often 30% to 50% – is achievable. These changes can make a major difference in how the skin looks and feels, contributing to greater self-confidence and comfort. Navigating the world of acne scar treatments can be overwhelming. With an accurate diagnosis, evidence-based therapies, and a personalized approach, real and lasting improvement is possible. Rather than chasing quick fixes, focus on progress. The skin has an impressive ability to heal with the right support – and your path to smoother, more confident skin may be closer than you think.
The Guardian
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Every time I meet someone new, I worry they'll find my scarred face hideous
Hi Ugly, I just turned 25. My long-term partner and I broke up recently, and I've been going on dates. My problem is I hate my skin. I have large pores, acne scarring, chicken pox scarring. Every time I meet someone new, I feel scared that they will find me hideous and think I catfished them. I've also been zooming in on pictures of my skin and looking at it in different lighting, which is worsening my insecurity. Rationally, I know men probably won't mind, because my previous partner – who had perfect skin! – still found me beautiful. And nobody I've gone on a date with has seemed to care so far. But I still criticize myself for it over and over again. How do I get over this? – Not A Catfish Back when I was on the apps, I'd upload slightly unflattering photos of myself: an up-close, no-makeup selfie; a wide shot in a muumuu the size of a small circus tent. I wanted to meet men who weren't primarily interested in looks. Bonus: in person, I exceeded all expectations! I've found love two, maybe even three times this way – the last one stuck – despite the fact that my skin, like yours, is marked by acne scars, visible pores and a smattering of old chicken pox pits (plus the burgeoning wrinkles of a woman 10 years your senior). I call this the Inverse Catfish Method. If it seems like I have a neurotic need to diminish myself first before a man does it, well … guilty as charged. After reading your question, Not A Catfish, I'd say we have this in common. How did we end up this way? Aside from, you know, living under patriarchy, internalizing the male gaze and unconsciously inhaling the lessons of beauty culture like so much secondhand smoke. For me, it was my ex-husband. A few months after we got married, he started making comments about my skin: suggesting I wear more makeup, telling me to 'go on medication already' when I broke out. This charming new habit coincided with his decision to join Donald Trump's mailing list and purchase a pack of 'Make America Great Again' plastic straws as a 'joke' to rile me up. Coincidence? I wonder if something similar is contributing to your insecurity. You're wading into the dating pool when the most powerful men in the world – and Kid Rock – are arguing that women exist to serve men; that our faces should be optimized for beauty, our bodies optimized for breeding. And it's working! Data shows gen Z men are embracing regressive gender roles and leaning right. The resulting dating scene is reportedly in a sorry state. There is a possibility that some men are looking for a barely sentient Stepford wife with skin like glass, like a screen, like an inanimate object under their thumbs. But there are also many men who want a real, live, regular partner. On subway seats, in coffee shops, across candlelit tables, I see people with scars and spots and dark under-eye circles being held and kissed and loved like it's the most natural thing in the world. Because it is! You don't have to fix a single thing about your face to find that. It strikes me that becoming obsessed with your skin started with a change in your romantic life. In Love: A New Understanding of an Ancient Emotion, philosopher Simon May writes that the loved one can give us something essential we can't generate alone, like the feeling of being truly understood or 'safety from a paralyzing source of insecurity'. Love 'empowers us by intensifying our sense of existence and also humbles us by bringing to light our ontological smallness', he says. It expands our world and puts the little things, like acne scars, in proportion. But when love is lost, it shrinks the world – to the size of a pore, perhaps. It may 'tear us from the familiar moorings of an 'attachment' or undermine our self-esteem', according to May, leaving us 'less able to be present' and scrambling to prove we still exist. We reach for something, anything, to anchor us. Cue: hyperfixation on your face. Which makes sense! Skin is solid. It senses the outside world and confirms you're in it and of it. It's also the focus of countless beauty industry ads that claim attaining clear, poreless perfection will finally make you the real you, the 'best version of you'. Sometimes, they even frame skincare as a replacement for love. See Cutocin, a brand that markets its Social Exchange Serum as an alternative to the oxytocin-releasing effects of, well, social exchange. Sign up to Well Actually Practical advice, expert insights and answers to your questions about how to live a good life after newsletter promotion But it isn't. More from Jessica DeFino's Ask Ugly: My father had plastic surgery. Now he wants me and my mother to get work done How should I be styling my pubic hair? How do I deal with imperfection? I want to ignore beauty culture. But I'll never get anywhere if I don't look a certain way I could tell you that making peace with every last epidermal divot is an inside job – to love yourself first, that no product or partner can help you. But I don't think we're meant to love, heal, or even become ourselves alone. Humans are communal creatures. We need each other. I'm not saying you're doomed to spiral about your selfies until a boyfriend appears. The perspective-shifting power of love that May describes applies to non-romantic relationships, too. Family, friends and communities can bring us a similar sense 'of an ethical home, of power over our sense of existing and of a call to our destiny', he says. 'A work of art, a vocation, a god, a new country, even a landscape' can inspire sublimity, too – that feeling of being both empowered and humbled. So stare at a sunset instead of the mirror. Put down the phone and pick up a guitar. Go to a museum! Volunteer! Take a mini road trip with your mom! Find God in the mosh pit of a punk show! Make your world bigger, and soon enough, your scars will seem appropriately small. One last tip: Data from Pew Research Center shows only one in five partnered adults under 30 first connected with their current partner online. Some of the above suggestions double as great ways to meet potential partners in real life – no anxiety-inducing online avatar necessary. Delete her. Be free. But if you continue online dating? Give the Inverse Catfish Method a go. Do you have a beauty question for Ask Ugly? Submit it anonymously here — and be as detailed as possible, please! Anonymous if you prefer Please be as detailed as possible Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian.
