Acne "scars"

We all have them. We get a zit, we pick it, and voila it leaves behind a wonderful present-a reddish or brownish mark we call an acne scar.

But did you know acne "scars" aren't really scars at all? It's true! They are actually something called Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH).

PIH presents itself as a flat area of discoloration on the skin ranging from pink to red, purple, brown or black, depending on your skin tone and depth of the discoloration.
PIH develops when a wound, rash, pimple, or other stimuli causes skin inflammation, which triggers the skin to produce too much melanin. Melanin is the protein in the skin that gives the skin its color. The excess melanin darkens and discolors the wounded area. This discoloration remains even after the wound or rash has healed.*

This means that traditional scar methods (i.e Vitamin E, Mederma etc.) will not help heal these acne spots. You need ingredients that will actually help lighten the skin such as hydroquinone. Dermabrasion and chemical peels can also help with skin cell turnover and help PIH fade faster. 

Since acne "scars" aren't scars at all, talking with a dermatologist will help you get the treatment you need to help fade the spots left behind by acne. And for those of you with skin indentations left from acne, a derm can help you to!

One more thing. If you have PIH, WEAR SUNSCREEN DAILY! Sun exposure actually makes hyperpigmentation WORSE by making your skin produce more melanin! Slather on an SPF of at least 30!

*Quote taken from here.

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-AmieeJoy<3