If you’ve ever struggled with acne, you’re probably well aware that the only thing worse than the blemishes are the scars that appear in their place. These dark marks are sections of hyperpigmented skin that are left behind as the skin heals itself from the acne infection. They may no longer be red and painful, but they make the skin appear uneven and cause just as much harm to your self-esteem. Use these tips for treating your acne scars to gain the upper hand in this fight and to protect your skin in the future.

Take Care of Your Acne First

It’s never fun to have past scars in addition to your current acne breakout. However, in order to properly treat your deeper blemishes, it’s crucial that you first take care of the ones on the surface. Otherwise, you risk further agitating your acne and making it more painful. Take some time to get your acne under control—whether it’s with products or doctor-prescribed medication. This way, you’ll be able to focus on your scars without potential side effects.

Stop Picking at Your Skin

Make sure you break the habit of picking at your skin prior to treating your scars. Many people have the urge to squeeze and pop unsightly whiteheads, but this action creates an entrance for additional bacteria. This can actually worsen your acne and push the infection deeper into your skin, increasing the likelihood that you’ll develop a scar. As such, it’s crucial that you stop picking at your skin if you want lasting results from treatment.

Use the Right Topical Products

Another important tip for treating your acne scars is to ensure you’re using the correct type of products to do so. Since hyperpigmentation is the most common form of scarring, this often means using formulas that lighten the overall appearance of the skin. Look for ingredients such as hydroquinone and glutathione to ensure what you’re using is backed by clinical study. However, if you have deeper, gouging scars, you might need to consider more aggressive types of treatment.

Consider Clinical Treatment

When acne gets bad enough, it can start leaving indents in the top layers of skin. Unfortunately, there’s no over-the-counter treatment for these types of scars, so you’ll need to seek professional help. Some treatments offered in your dermatologist’s office may include chemical peels and microdermabrasion. They aim to remove the top layers of skin so that the newer, undamaged cells can rise up to take their place.

When it comes to helping individuals even out their skin tone, no one does it better than Flawless Beauty and Skin. Our skin whitening and brightening creams are specially formulated to target sections of hyperpigmented skin and reduce the rate at which your cells produce pigment. This lightens areas that are darker than others and infuses the skin with vital nutrients.