How to Avoid Getting Acne Scars

Our skin is the first line of defense against illnesses and foreign bodies doing us harm, which also means it frequently comes in contact with things that can harm it. Acne is one of many skin conditions you can get and a very common one, with an estimated 50 million people in the U.S. alone struggling with it. While a very common condition for teenagers (85% of teens struggle with it during adolescence), it can also start during adulthood, though more commonly in women than men.

Acne scars are a common consequence of acne and can take on different appearances on your skin. Of the 80% of people between 11 and 30 who deal with acne, one in five will end up with acne scars, most of whom are teens. There are ways to prevent dealing with these blemishes on your skin, but we can help. Let’s look at how acne leads to skin scarring and how to avoid it.

If you live in the Lake Oswego, Oregon, area and you’re tired of acne scars, the medical team at Lake Grove ENT can help you get rid of them and enjoy smoother, clearer skin.

How acne causes scars

Acne is the result of your pores getting clogged with dead skin, bacteria, and other particles that lead to inflammation and appear in the form of whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, bumps, pustules, papules, nodules, and cysts. When these blemishes get inflamed, they can cause swelling in the pore that breaks down its walls. If the blemish is small, the scar will likely be shallow and heal so your skin looks normal. If the inflamed pores spill into neighboring tissue, it can cause deeper damage and form one of a few different types of blemish, such as boxcar, rolling, icepick, and hypertrophic scars

How you can avoid them

Here are some tips on ways to avoid acne and the possibility of scarring:

• Avoid damaging it: Don’t pop, scratch, or otherwise affect acne, as it allows it to push down the infection and make things worse.
• Wear loose clothing: If you have pimples and other forms of acne on your back, shoulders, or chest, wear clothing that allows the skin to breathe. 
• Use warm water: When shaving or cleaning, use warm water, and wash your hands and face frequently.
• Choose safe soaps, moisturizers, and perfumes: The chemicals in many skin products can cause irritation, so buy items for sensitive skin and avoid things that are oil based.
• Reduce direct sun exposure: Sun exposure can increase the production of sebum, an oil your skin produces that can lead to acne.
• Lessen stress and anxiety: Getting stressed or anxious increases the amount of cortisol and adrenaline in your body, which can worsen problems with acne.

We have a range of skin treatments we can use to help with the effects of acne scars and other conditions, so if you’re struggling with these scars, make an appointment with our team at Lake Oswego ENT today to look your best with healthier skin.