Glycolic acid is here to save our collective skin once again! Although glycolic acid is already well-documented for its ability to combat burgeoning and active acne breakouts, it’s got another capability for easing the anguish that comes from a particularly traumatic acne woe: acne scarring. Millions of teenagers and adults around the world deal with acne scars, but glycolic acid provides a cost-effective solution to this common skincare problem.
Acne scarring: a primer
Acne scarring is a permanent, and often unpleasant and unwanted texture change to the skin. Acne scars occur when the collagen beneath the skin’s surface becomes damaged from the inflammation caused by an acne breakout.
The three types of acne scarring:
- Atrophic – These scars look like pits and have smooth edges and borders.
- Ice pick – These scars are deeply pitted and have steep edges. Often, ice pick scars look like the skin has been pricked with something very sharp, i.e. poked by an ice pick. Ice pick scars are usually a result of infected cystic acne.
- Hypertrophic – These acne scars sit above the skin and are lumpy and thicker in appearance.
Acne scarring happens when skin tissue becomes so damaged by an acne lesion that the body overproduces or underproduces new skin tissue in response. This malfunctioning new tissue production then leads to the formation of scars, as the body desperately tries to heal the wounded skin. Too little new skin tissue production creates atrophic scars, which look like small depressions in the skin. On the other side of the spectrum, too much skin tissue production forms keloids, or hypertrophic scars, which are often are described as “ropy” in appearance.
Aside from intense acne wounds, like those created by cystic acne, acne scarring can also occur as a result of picking, poking, or incessantly prodding blemishes. Genetics can also contribute to an increased risk for acne scarring as well.
It’s important to note that acne scars are different from acne marks. Acne marks are red, brown, or purple spots or colored areas that stick around even after a blemish is long gone. These hyperpigmented spots can take up 3-6 months to disappear, in contrast to the years it can take for acne scars to fade.
How glycolic acid reduces acne scarring
Acne scarring can potentially lead to self-doubt, low confidence, and feelings of unattractiveness, but acne scars don’t have to negatively impact lives. Using glycolic acid based skincare products and peels is an incredibly effective way to not only reduce acne scarring, but to potentially remove scars altogether, according to studies conducted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information.
Glycolic acid helps reduce the visibility of acne scarring in several ways. First of all, it penetrates the outermost layer of the skin and weakens the glue holding the dead, damaged, skin cells of the scar together. This makes way for newer, healthier cells to emerge on the skin’s surface. Glycolic acid also helps reduce scarring owing to its unique capability to stimulate elastin and collagen. It’s an unfortunate side effect of aging that reduced collagen production not only leads to more noticeable wrinkles and fine lines, but also to more visible acne scarring.
Glycolic acid also has an uncanny ability to exfoliate skin and reduce the rough or raised appearance of a scar, creating a smoother, flatter, less visible scar over time. Plus, glycolic acid can reduce the discoloration of acne scars as well. Bottom line? Glycolic acid is a practically miraculous, highly welcomed ingredient for combatting acne scars.
A glycolic acid peel performed in a doctor’s office is undoubtedly the quickest and most effective way to reduce acne scars, but innovations with at-home glycolic acid peels now offer remarkable scar reduction for consumers.
Several popular glycolic-acid-based peels, touted for their exceptional results at reducing scarring, include Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare’s Smooth & Flawless: Peel + Moisturize, Beauty RX’s Progressive Peel Replenishment Kit, and Kat Burki’s Restorative Dual Acid Peel.
An ounce of (glycolic acid) prevention helps, too!
Those suffering from acne scarring can also prevent future breakouts and their subsequent scars by incorporating glycolic-acid packed skincare products into their daily facial care routines. Glycolic-acid-based facial soaps, night creams, and spot treatments are all excellent and effective measures to stop acne from forming in the first place.
Suffering from acne shouldn’t also mean suffering from acne scars for years on end. Glycolic-acid-based skincare products and peels have the opportunity to help reduce, remove, and eventually erase acne scars forever, providing much-desired relief to millions of acne-afflicted consumers.
