What is post-acne?
Post-acne
– these are the atrophic consequences of acne (scars or dark spots in areas of rash), indicating the depth of skin damage, the strength of inflammation in a particular area and the insufficient ability of the epidermis to self-regenerate. The area of occurrence of such marks is extensive: they can appear on the cheeks, on the forehead, on the nose, on the shoulders, back or chest, and less often on the hips and buttocks.
Reasons for the appearance of post-acne
Stagnant spots due to post-acne are most often formed under the influence of the following factors:
- Protracted moderate to severe acne: deep inflammatory foci are present on the skin for a long time, undermining the resources of the epidermis and causing irreparable damage to it.
- Mechanical damage to the skin: when trying to get rid of post-acne on their own, patients often damage the skin by squeezing out pimples - a stagnant spot or scar often remains at the site of mechanical action.
Types and stages of post-acne: what it looks like
Externally, post-acne appears in the form of stagnant spots of different colors or scars of various shapes:
- Enlarged pores
are the most common signs of problematic skin after acne. Wide pores can be corrected with appropriate care for oily skin types. - Red, purple or blue marks
indicate vascular changes in the skin that occur as a result of mechanical pressure on the tissue when trying to squeeze out deep-seated rashes: comedones, pimples or blackheads. Most often, red marks and bruises remain on the skin in patients with a predisposition to spider veins (with weak capillaries). - Brown spots or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dyschromia)
occur due to the influence of ultraviolet radiation on injured areas of the epidermis - excess accumulation of melanin turns the skin dark. - Atheromas (sebaceous gland cysts) and milia (whiteheads)
are secondary changes in the epidermis that form dense nodules - cysts. - Scars (atrophic, hypertrophic)
are a natural reaction of the skin to deep inflammatory foci. Scars come in different depths, shapes and sizes, and getting rid of them is the most labor-intensive and long-term process. At the site of inflammation, connective tissue appears, located in the deep layers of the epidermis.
There are two types of scars, the manifestation of which depends on the level of natural collagen during the healing process of inflammation:
- Low levels of collagen in the skin provoke the appearance of an atrophic hollow scar. These scars are round (the shallowest), rectangular (deeper) and chipped (the deepest V-shaped scars) in shape.
- High levels of collagen lead to a hypertrophic scar, which can subsequently grow. That is why skin with scars has an uneven relief: atrophic scars are usually sunken, in the form of pits or craters, while hypertrophic scars are convex.
The etiology of post-acne symptoms depends on the depth of the damage: hyperpigmentation occurs due to injuries to the epidermis, while scars appear due to deep damage to the dermal layers of the skin.
Megan Fox
The actress resorts to the laser resurfacing method with enviable regularity. The reason for this is skin problems, which have caused Megan a lot of trouble since her youth. The aspiring actress suffered from constant pimples and acne, which left acne marks and scars on her face. Today, the result is truly amazing – Fox’s face is fresh and toned.
Megan Fox. Result of laser facial resurfacing
Can acne marks go away on their own?
Acne spots can go away on their own, but it can take a very long time. Corrective care and beauty salon treatments will help speed up the lightening of spots. Scars will not resolve on their own and will be more difficult to get rid of than spots: the most effective method of smoothing the relief of the epidermis is skin resurfacing. In particularly advanced cases, post-acne treatment is carried out only by clinical methods.
How long does acne last?
The speed of getting rid of stagnant spots and scars depends on the method of treating post-acne: at home or through cosmetic aesthetic procedures, followed by maintaining the normal condition of the skin with corrective care. On average, evening out the tone and texture of the skin after acne takes from 1 to several years, depending on the intensity of post-acne.
Is it possible to quickly remove acne?
An integrated approach (cosmetic procedures + corrective home care) is the most effective way to quickly get rid of post-acne. A course of salon procedures in combination with effective products, for example, based on acids, retinol, keratolytics, will give a noticeable positive result. But even in this case, the time investment will be impressive: unfortunately, it will not be possible to get rid of traces of lingering acne in a couple of weeks.
Charlize Theron
An illustrative example of the effect of laser facial resurfacing is Charlize Theron . The American actress and model regularly undergoes the procedure and looks significantly younger than her 45 years. The “gauze effect” did not bypass Charlize’s face, which was spoiled by care and cosmetic procedures, as can be seen in the photographs of the Golden Globe ceremony. The actress's skin is fresh and toned. But if you look closely, you can see traces of a recently performed procedure to preserve youth.
Charlize Theron. Effect of gauze after healing
It is unlikely that the star trusts her face to inexperienced specialists, who allow terrible complications in the form of a scar network to appear on the actress’s skin. No, the “gauze effect” is of normal origin and is only one of the features of the rehabilitation period. Many celebrities aren't afraid of laser facial resurfacing, but they probably won't appear in front of cameras during their recovery period.
How to get rid of post-acne on your face at home?
Stagnant spots left by acne are most often removed in a beauty salon, but with the help of pharmacy cosmetics with active formulas aimed at intensive restoration and renewal of the epidermis, it is possible to significantly improve the condition of ex-problem skin at home.
How to remove post-acne using skincare products:
- Sebum-regulating products (washing gels, tonics and lotions) will help solve the problem of enlarged pores, keep them clean and prevent the occurrence of inflammatory processes and new rashes.
- Whitening creams and serums for daily care will help get rid of pigmentation.
- Homemade acid-based peels are effective for any manifestations of post-acne, even out skin tone and texture, and promote accelerated cell regeneration.
- Masks based on natural clay also help narrow pores, control sebum synthesis and prevent the emergence of new imperfections.
To lighten pigmentation, pay attention to creams and serums with components whose action is aimed at suppressing melanin synthesis: kojic acid, arbutin, glabridin, ascorbic acid, azelaic acid.
Alexander Prokofiev, medical expert of the La Roche-Posay brand
Kendall Jenner
The girl has also been struggling with acne since school age. In her youth, she almost managed to get rid of acne, but not for long. Kendall's uneven facial skin increasingly became the subject of paparazzi's interest, and then the star decided to undergo laser resurfacing for the first time. Today, Jenner continues to successfully fight acne marks.
Kendall Jenner. Result of laser facial resurfacing
The best anti-acne products La Roche-Posay
Corrective cream-gel against imperfections and post-acne
EFFACLAR DUO(+)
Cream-gel for problem skin against post-acne
Effectively exfoliates dead epidermal cells and promotes skin renewal. The product intensively moisturizes and corrects post-acne spots.
RUB 1,187 more details
Cleansing foaming gel for oily and sensitive skin
EFFACLAR GEL
Cleansing foaming gel
With regular use in the morning and evening, facial skin becomes noticeably clearer, sebum production is reduced and the risk of post-acne formation is reduced.
951 rub. more details
Micro-exfoliating gel for post-acne washing
EFFACLAR
Micro-exfoliating gel
Reduces pronounced imperfections and post-acne, prevents the reappearance of imperfections.
RUB 1,218 more details
Lotion for tightening pores and smoothing the skin surface
EFFACLAR
Pore tightening lotion
Effectively cleanses pores, prevents them from clogging and the emergence of new foci of inflammation.
RUB 1,468 more details
Preventing the appearance of post-acne
The main task in caring for problematic acne-prone skin is not to aggravate its condition and not to provoke new rashes and the formation of a permanent spot or scar on the face.
Below are recommendations from experts that will help minimize the occurrence of imperfections and damage from them.
- Competently and promptly treat acne of degrees II and III;
- Do not expose stains to physical, chemical or mechanical stress;
- Avoid excessive sun exposure;
- It is good to moisturize problem skin;
- Wash regularly using sebum-regulating anti-inflammatory agents;
- Do not use alcohol-containing cosmetics in your arsenal (it can aggravate the skin condition);
- Use mattifying cosmetics to control oily skin.
Brad Pitt
In recent photographs, there are no large “bags” under the star’s eyes, which accompanied the actor’s latest images and roles until the premiere of the film “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” This rejuvenation is the result of laser resurfacing under the eyes, complemented by Botox injections around the corners of the eyes to smooth out crow's feet.
Brad Pitt. The result of laser resurfacing of the skin around the eyes
