Acne breakouts are painful but more irritating are the scars that they leave behind. While some scars clear up over time on their own, there are a few, especially the cystic ones that leave scars as they heal.

In this article, let us learn from the famous acupuncturist, Dr Jewel Gamadia, what causes acne scars and how to fix them with the help of supplements and topical treatments.

What causes Acne scars?

Acne scars develop when collagen, which is present in the dermis layer of the skin, gets damaged. It happens because when acne forms on the skin due to mild or intense inflammation. The developed acne damages the underlying tissue. To repair this damage, your body produces collagen- a substance that gives structural support to your skin. When the body produces less collagen, it leads to depressed scars and when it produces more collagen, it leads to hypertrophic or raised scars. 

Acne scars commonly occur among those people who have a family history of acne scars. The other reasons include the presence of inflammatory acne, picking or squeezing of active acne and not treating the acne on time. These scars range in appearance from shallow, mottled depressions, sometimes called rolling scars, to deep and narrow depressions. These depressions are usually skin coloured but can be darker or pink as well.

Though acne scars are difficult to treat, a few supplements and topical treatments can go a long way in improving their appearance.

Supplements for Acne scars

1. Vitamin C: It would be good if you will take Vitamin C containing flavonoids as this combination will help your skin produce collagen naturally. Dr Gamadia suggests taking a 500 mg tablet either after breakfast or lunch. If you smoke, increase it to 1000 mg as smoking damages your skin. In case, you can’t find Vitamin C with flavonoids, have at least three oranges a day along with a normal Vitamin C tablet.

2. Zinc: Zinc is known to have anti-inflammatory properties that help in reducing the redness and inflammation associated with acne and lightening acne scars. Moreover, its antioxidant properties also help in fighting dirt, dust, oil and bacteria that can accumulate within the skin glands and clog pores. Dr Gamadia recommends taking upto 30 mg of Zinc post-lunch or dinner.

Topical Treatments for Acne Scars

1. Take a small amount of fresh lime juice, say 5 ml, and add a pinch of rock salt in it. Apply it on the acne scar and leave it for 30 minutes and then wash your face. In case you have sensitive skin, do add an equal quantity of water as that of lime juice in the mixture before applying. Dr Gamadia suggests using this home remedy only during the daytime.

2.  Apply moisturiser: In case you have oily skin use non-greasy moisturiser and for dry skin use nourishing moisturiser which is slightly heavy. Add three–four drops of Vitamin E from the capsule to the moisturiser. You can apply this cream to your entire face 30 minutes before you go to sleep. Where you have an acne scar apply a slightly thick layer as this will make sure that your overall skin tone changes. Also do not apply it just before going to bed as it will rub off most of the cream.

As per Dr Gamadia, if you follow the above recommendations, you will start seeing a difference within a span of seven–ten days. He further suggests adding spinach and sweet potato to your diet as this will make sure that you get the nutrition naturally as well.

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