Acne scars are the result of damaged skin tissue. There are several treatments available for acne scarring which help the scarred tissue return to a normal appearance. Dark spots on the areas of the face that have been damaged by the sun are composed of melanin.
Learn how to make a simple mask at home to treat acne scars and rejuvenate your skin.
Acne Scarring
Acne scars
If you have acne scarring, you most likely want your skin to look as if you never had acne. To make this scar disappearing act happen, you first need to precisely determine what changes you want to see with your scarring. You may want to fade dark spots and smooth away indented pock marks and ice-pick scars. Here is a basic guideline for matching acne scars with the ideal acne scar removal treatments: · Hyperpigmented spots- chemical peels, skin lighteners, intense pulsed light treatments · Pock marks, ice-pick scars- dermabrasion treatments, deep chemical peels, advanced laser treatments · Rolling acne scarring- chemical peels, skin tightening laser treatments · Hypertrophic scars- laser treatments, silicon patches, scar creams
What Causes Acne Scarring?
If an acne patient prematurely "pops" or opens and acne lesion, this could result in acne scarring. The origin of the acne lesion within the skin will impact if and how an acne scar forms. However, once the inflammation is removed, the acne lesion can begin the healing process. Acne scars result from skin damage caused by healed acne wounds. The types of acne scars are as varied as the types of acne lesions. This variety arises because of the different ways an acne lesion can form. For example, an acne eruption may originate deep within the fatty tissue of the skin as the in the case of cysts or nodules. Alternatively, the acne mark may form just beneath the epidermis as a result of pore irritation as in the case of the comedone. A non-inflamed closed comedone is a pore blocked by excess oils, keratin and/or skin cells. Because excess bacteria and free fatty acids irritate the pore, the proceeding localized inflammatory response causes the pore to expand.
Dark Skin Spots on the Face
Age or Brown Spots
Age spots or brown spots can start to appear as you grow older,and this is usually the result of an over-production of the skins pigment melanin concentrated too much in one place.
There is a way to get rid of dark spots on the face without having to resort to surgery or laser resurfacing. Over-exposure to the sun in your youth is a major contribution factor but the good news is that it's reversible with the latest natural whitening creams. In clinical studies the natural skin whitener ingredient called Extrapone nutgrass was shown to inhibit the production of melanin by over 40% to help get rid of dark spots on the face and it has powerful anti aging properties as well for younger looking and healthier skin.
The skin is a naturally rejuvenating and repairing organ. The cells of the outer epidermal layers are replaced on a frequent basis, although the process does slow down as we get older. Melanin production varies according to a person's exposure to UV light and certain environmental toxins. Cigarette smoke, ethanol and other alcohols are among the toxins that can stimulate overproduction of melanin.
Skin Whitening is Effective for Age Spots
Skin whitening creams are used effectively for age spots, liver spots or sun spots. These dark discoloration areas or brown spots are a result of exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun, and due to aging of the skin. Prevention can be attained by using sun block, wearing a hat or using a skin whitening cream. This is a cheaper option than undergoing cosmetic treatments such as chemical peels or laser therapy.
There is an increase in the use of skin lighteners and bleachers – many with natural active ingredients like retinoids, mulberry extracts, licorice extracts, azaleic and alpha hydroxyl acids. Using a skin lightener for a few weeks will result in the skin looking whiter and brighter, and will inhibit the appearance of new age spots. Lightening treatments work for all skin colors and types, regardless of age.
Obesity can cause a dark discoloration, mostly occurring on the back of the neck, groin and armpits. This condition is known as acanthosis nigricans. The brown facial discoloration or mask that some pregnant women have is due to the hormonal imbalances and is called melasma. Using protective clothing and sun screen can help the treatment, but these marks usually fade once the pregnancy is finished.
If you plan to use a product to treat liver spots or brown discoloration on your skin, it is recommended you spend a little time researching products that are safe and produce results. Ingredients that are dangerous are mercury, steroids and hydroquinone. These have been linked to health problems including cancer. Safe ingredients include Kojic acid, Alpha and Beta Arbutin.
The basic thing to remember about the production of the pigment melanin which causes dark spots on the face, is that protection will go a long way to keeping the skin lighter, thereby slowing the process down. New cells produced will contain less melanin and be lighter in color. Over time the brown spots will fade.
Actions can be taken to slow down the production of melanin, which varies depending on the amount of exposure one has to the sun and various environmental toxins such as cigarette smoke, ethanol and other alcohols that can stimulate over production.
A proven protein formula that has been proved to increase the cell growth is functional keratin. This ingredient is safe and along with nut grass which is a plant extract speeds up the production of skin cells. Any product containing these natural ingredients is a fast way to get rid of dark spots.