These were the words of a woman who had been suffering from acne scars for two decades. When asked how acne scars had affected her life, she says the first thing people noticed about her were the marks on her face. They offered her all kinds of solutions to get rid of the scars, from well-meaning advice to pitching skincare products that had worked for them. It took her a long time before she could overcome her insecurities and be at peace with her situation.
She is not alone. There are tens of thousands of men and women across the world who face similar struggles day in and day out. Approximately 40% of adolescents with acne require some type of medical intervention 1. For some, acne continues to be a problem in adulthood as well. In fact, it has been reported that more than 70% of patients over the age 20 are affected by acne 2,3.
Although it is generally known to affect the face, acne can appear at any part of the body. Although harmless, acne can have a prolonged impact on mental health. In most patients, the incidents of acne start during adolescence, a time when children are going through immense physical, social and emotional changes.
The appearance of acne and the associated scars increases the psychological effects manifold, leading to negative effects of self-image leading to isolation and loneliness.
The Psychological Effect of Acne and Acne Scars
Typical effects include dissatisfaction with one’s appearance, embarrassment to appear in public, self-consciousness and lack of self-confidence. Acne has also been associated with depression, anxiety, anger and low self-worth.
Acne can affect relationships as well, leading to concerns regarding social interactions. This is apparent in communication with the opposite gender, public appearances and having a lack of confidence to interact with strangers. Furthermore, almost 95% of people who develop acne end up with facial scarring, which takes a further toll on their self-esteem. As a result, acne scars can be an impediment on a person’s normal functioning in daily life.
Living with acne scars is more difficult than it seems. While it is easy to have opinions and provide solutions as an outsider, the people affected by it are the ones who truly understand the pain of living with it. They often attempt to hide them by using expensive makeup or may end up paying for costly facial treatments.
Fortunately, there are a larger number of options to treat acne and scars today. These range from simple home remedies to advanced surgeries. By looking into these solutions, we can understand how it can help reduce acne and manage scars effectively.
Scar Management: Home Remedies & Laser Treatment There has been much discussion online about home remedies to manage acne scars. From everyday products and ingredients passed over generations to exotic items, people have tried all kinds of
methods. Apple cider vinegar remains a commonly used product for scar removal as it accelerates the process of skin shedding and regrowth. The organic acids in apple cider are believed to kill the bacteria causing acne.
Other commonly used products to treat acne include tea tree oil, green tea, and aloe vera 4. In fact, a study in 2006 has found that tea tree oil has both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which can come in handy when treating acne lesions. When combined with aloe vera and propolis (bee glue), it can help to significantly improve acne, according to a study by National Institutes of Health.
Acne-ridden individuals can also turn to green tea 5 for another natural cure. Rich in epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), research from PubMed Central shows that this plant-based chemical is effective in improving acne and oily skin. The tea leaves or green tea extract can be applied on the skin or consumed directly, which helps to improve skin lesions, redness, and irritated skin.
However, if home treatments do not help, it may be time to seek medical advice. In cases of severe scarring, the medical practitioner might suggest going for invasive treatment such as laser treatment or surgery. These are done only under extreme circumstances and are often not preferred by the patient. They might also require the patient to be homebound for up to 20 days, which may hinder their daily activities.
Gel For Scar Removal
Because laser treatments are generally costly and require maintenance, people have turned to silicone gels as an alternative. These can be applied easily, and the gel’s self-drying properties creates a protective layer on the skin. This keeps the skin moisturised and accelerates the healing process, reducing the overall appearance of the scar. Its easy application on any type of skin makes it an advantageous choice for individuals looking for simple and effective scar treatments.
Dermatix Acne Scar is a silicone gel-based scar treatment which has been clinically proven to reduce acne scars and dark spots. Created using a revolutionary solution made by dermatological experts in Europe, Dermatix Acne Scar consists of silicone, Vitamin E, antioxidant ingredients, ActivGCS beauty enhancers and nicotinamide to soothe and moisturise skin.
It has found to significantly improve the appearance of old and new scars. Aside from that, it can increase confidence as users can apply make-up over it and go outside. Women all across the world have shared with us their story about how Dermatix Acne Scar has helped them with managing their scars. It’s a heartfelt experience to hear their individual stories on how the gel has improved their quality of life and allowed them to rediscover their confidence. Find out how Dermatix Acne Scar and can help you too!
