Research shows up to 55% – or 1 in 2 teens – get some scarring on the face due to acne. Scars may make people feel self-conscious and embarrassed.
Scars are a result of injury to the skin caused by acne and a faulty healing process.
However, acne scarring is preventable in most cases.
Top 2 Tips to help prevent acne scars.
# 1 Don’t delay getting treatment for moderate to severe inflammatory acne (see image). This is much more likely to result in scarring. Why? Generally, the more intense the inflammation (redness, swelling, pus, pain), the greater the injury to the skin and risk for scarring.
# 2 Don’t squeeze or pick acne spots. This increases inflammation and damage to the skin, raising the risk of scarring and skin discolouration (darks stains) after healing.
5 important facts about acne and scarring:
- The longer acne goes on, the higher the risk of scarring.
- A family history of severe acne and scarring increases the risk.
- Experts cannot tell who will develop scars and who will not. Scarring involves the skin’s wound healing abilities which differ from person to person and are inherited.
- Even mild acne can cause scarring.
- 95% of acne patients have some degree of scarring.