What Causes Acne Scars? Discover 8 Most Effective Acne Scar Treatment Methods

Acne scars are a common dermatological issue that can affect anyone after inflamed acne heals, leaving behind dark spots on the skin. To achieve effective acne scar treatment, it is essential to understand the underlying causes and apply suitable skincare methods. HBIO Clinic will help you explore in detail what acne scars are and share 8 effective ways to treat acne scars, helping you restore smooth, radiant, and even-toned skin.

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What Are Acne Scars? Classification of Acne Scars

Acne scars refer to dark marks that appear after acne, inflammatory acne, or hormonal acne heals. These areas appear darker than the surrounding skin due to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, where the skin produces excess melanin to repair damage.

Though acne scars do not pose health risks, they affect one’s appearance, making the skin look dull and lifeless. Without proper treatment, the condition can persist, harden the skin surface, impair absorption of skincare products, and accelerate aging.

Based on appearance and color, acne scars are classified into two main types of acne scars:

Red acne marks: Caused by broken capillaries under the skin, leading to red or pink patches. Often seen in sensitive or thin skin. If not properly cared for, redness may linger.
Brown/dark acne marks: Result from melanin overproduction during skin recovery, common in darker skin tones and slower to fade.

Read now: Types of Melasma and Effective Treatment Options

What Causes Acne Scars?

Identifying the cause is key to choosing the right solution and speeding up skin recovery. Common causes of post-acne marks include:

Inflammation from acne: Pustules, cystic acne, and nodules cause deep damage, stimulating melanin production and resulting in dark acne marks.
Improper pimple extraction: Using unclean hands or tools can worsen inflammation, allowing bacteria to spread and leading to deeper scars.
UV exposure: Sunlight triggers melanin production, darkening the scars further without proper sunscreen protection.
Incorrect skincare routine: Poor cleansing, unsuitable products, or overuse of irritants slow down skin recovery and worsen discoloration.
Lack of hydration and nutrients: Insufficient water or vitamins like C, E, and zinc hinders regeneration, delaying the fading of scars.
Hormonal imbalance: Stress, puberty, or pregnancy can extend the inflammation phase, making acne scars more prominent and harder to heal.

*Identifying the cause of acne scars helps choose the right treatment*

Read now: Safe and Effective Acne Vulgaris Treatment at HBIO Clinic

8 Effective Ways to Treat Acne Scars

1. Laser Acne Scar Treatment at HBIO Clinic

Laser therapy at HBIO Clinic is a modern, effective solution to break down melanin clusters and fade dark spots. It also stimulates collagen production, improving skin tone and texture. The procedure is performed by experienced dermatologists, ensuring safety and optimal results. If you’re seeking a reliable acne scar treatment, laser is a highly recommended choice.

2. Treat Post-Acne Marks with Natural Ingredients

Natural ingredients offer gentle and safe options for all skin types. Turmeric, lemon, honey, aloe vera, and coconut oil help lighten scars and nourish the skin:

Turmeric: Rich in curcumin, reduces inflammation, regenerates cells, and fades scars.
Lemon: High in vitamin C and citric acid, exfoliates and brightens. Always dilute or mix with honey and apply sunscreen.
Honey: Moisturizes, soothes, and supports healing. Use alone or with turmeric/lemon for better results.
Aloe vera: Calms redness, boosts collagen, and evens skin tone.
Coconut oil: Contains vitamin E and fatty acids to soften and repair skin.

3. How to Treat Acne Scars with AHA/BHA

AHA (e.g., glycolic acid, phytic acid) and BHA (e.g., salicylic acid) are chemical exfoliants that slough off dead skin and stimulate cell renewal. Regular use helps improve pigmentation and clear clogged pores, accelerating scar fading and smoothing the skin.

Read now: TOP 10 Common Causes of Acne You Should Know

4. Vitamin C Serum for Acne Scar Treatment

Vitamin C is a top ingredient for acne scar treatment, known for its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to reduce melanin formation. When used at the right concentration, it fades dark marks and prevents new ones from forming.

5. Niacinamide to Brighten and Treat Acne Scars

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) regulates sebum, maintains skin barrier function, and stimulates collagen production. It improves skin firmness, fades acne scars, and promotes even skin tone.

6. Use of Retinol or Tretinoin for Acne Scar Treatment

Both are Vitamin A derivatives that enhance cell turnover. Retinol is milder and improves texture with minimal irritation. Tretinoin is more potent, boosts collagen, and accelerates exfoliation. Use with moisturizer and sunscreen to avoid irritation.

However, when using these active ingredients, it is necessary to combine adequate moisturizing and sun protection to avoid irritation and best protect the skin.

7. Chemical Peeling Method

Chemical peeling is a method that uses acids such as AHA, BHA, TCA to remove dead skin cells and old horny layers on the skin’s surface. This not only helps to deeply clean pores but also stimulates new cell growth, reduces acne scars and improves skin texture.

Depending on the skin condition, you can choose a shallow peel (gently exfoliates), a medium peel (treats dark spots, melasma) or a deep peel (treats pitted scars). After peeling, the skin is more sensitive, so it is necessary to moisturize, protect against the sun carefully and avoid irritating products for optimal results.

*Chemical peel helps regenerate skin, reduce dark spots and even skin tone effectively*

8. Adjust your diet to fight acne and dark spots

A nutritious diet helps restore skin and effectively reduce dark spots. Supplement vitamin C (oranges, guava, strawberries) to promote collagen, vitamin E (seeds, olive oil) to protect the skin, zinc (seafood, eggs) to control excess oil, and omega-3 (salmon, chia seeds) to maintain moisture. Limit sugar, fat, coffee, and alcohol to avoid prolonged inflammation, which makes dark spots take longer to fade.

Treating dark spots requires perseverance and applying the right method. Hopefully, the article from HBIO Clinic has provided useful information, helping you better understand how to care for and improve your skin effectively.

Read now: How to Identify Different Types of Acne and Their Causes

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