Do Acne Scar Removal Creams Really Work?

Updated on: 31st August, 2021

Acne is one of the most common problems in teenage and the early 20s. Usually, people have acne on their face, the arms and back. Severe acne for a long period can leave scars on your skin.

When a breakout occurs, the pores get clogged due to excessive oil. It damages the skin cells and results in scars or marks. Acne scars become prominent if you have a habit of picking or popping the pimples. Or, if you keep touching your acne. Usually, it takes 2-3 days for a pimple to cool down. It leaves a red mark on your skin. Over time, these red marks get converted into brown acne scars. If you have a case of severe acne, it can also cause dents or holes on your skin.

Different types of acne can leave a variety of scars on your skin:

Atrophic scars

They are caused due to cystic acne. It leaves flat and deep grooves or dents on the skin and can penetrate deep into the inner layers. These scars are also of three different types.

1. The first one is the ice pick scars that are small pointed dents on the skin.
2. The other one is the rolling scars that make the skin appear uneven.
3. The last type is the boxcar acne scars that are broad and have sharp edges.

These occur after your pimple is healed. The part of the skin where the pimple had occurred will become dark brown or red. It gets healed over time.

Keloid or hypertrophic scars

Keloid scars are different from Atrophic scars. These are formed as raised tissues on the skin. When acne occurs at the same spot a lot of times or remains for a long time, the skin starts forming tissues to heal itself. 

We need different kinds of treatment and acne removal cream for these scars.

It helps in improving the overall health of the skin. Vitamin C slows down the production of melanin which helps to reduce pigmented acne scars. It also increases the production of collagen that is effective to get rid of atrophic scars. You can use vitamin C serums on your face.

Salicylic acid is one of the best ingredients for acne scars. It works as an exfoliator and reduces redness and swelling.

The group of plant or animal-based acids such as Glycolic acid, lactic acid and citric acid is known as AHA. It is also an exfoliator that penetrates deep into the skin to get rid of acne-causing bacteria. With regular use, it fades acne scars.

It helps to peel the dead skin cells and reduces enlarged pores. Lactic acid is effective in getting rid of pigmented acne scars.

These are vitamin A compounds that help to unclog the pores. It is available in the form of a capsule and cream. Retinol is known as the best cream to remove pimple marks fast.

A common reason for breakouts is that the skin starts producing excessive oil if it is not hydrated. Allantoin is the best ingredient for acne scars as it retains the moisture of the skin. While most pimple removal creams dry your skin, allantoin will work as an exfoliator and soothe the affected area.

Derived from the rose plant, the rosehip oil is the best acne scar removal ingredient. It reduces blemishes and dark spots on the skin.

Yet another best scar removal cream that comprises vitamin B3+. It slows down melanin production and boosts collagen.

It is an antibacterial ingredient extracted from wheat and barley. Azelaic acid works on abnormally pigmented acne scars.