What products help smooth out acne scars for Asian women?
Asian skin has a propensity to scar more so than Caucasian skin. Asians
tend to develop keloids, which are scars that occur in areas where acne
lesions were or where an injury or burn occurred. Keloids are dense,
thick nodules that can grow quite large. Keloids are painful, itchy and
ugly.
Asian women often battle with acne because of the type of skin they
possess partnered with Asian climates, which are hot and humid. In this
type of weather, skin is susceptible to acne. When your skin breaks
out, your pores get clogged, and this leads to pimples or acne. Asian
women have larger pores than women of other ethnicities, which makes
them even more vulnerable to acne and scarring.
Propensity to scar
Some individuals are genetically predisposed to scar easier than
others. Treating your acne early on, taking preventive measures, may
lessen the degree of acne and scarring. If you wait too long, extensive
acne scarring can occur.
If you are undergoing any sort of dermatological acne treatment, be
cautious about treating your acne scars. If you are taking isotretinoin
(i.e., Accutane) this can result in serious scarring. Wait a minimum of
six months following completion of your isotretinoin treatment before
undergoing treatment for your scars, particularly if you are an Asian
woman.
Over-the-counter products for scar repair contain glycolic acid,
retinol or vitamin C. These ingredients prompt production of new
collagen in the skin, which plumps you're your skin and make acnes scar
that are depressed less visible. Silicone bandages can be applied to
your scar, which will help flatten scars that are raised.
Talk to a dermatologist
If your dermatologist thinks you are a good candidate, he may recommend
a chemical peel or micro-dermabrasion followed by skin resurfacing,
which can improve your skin's texture after the scar has been removed.
Sometimes a combination of treatments is used to remove acne scars.
If you opt for laser resurfacing, this is done in your dermatologist's
office and the process removes the top layer of damaged skin as well as
tightens the middle layer of skin. The outcome is smoother skin.
Dermabrasion involves uses a wire brush that rotates or a spinning
diamond tool that wears down the surface of the skin. When the skin
heals, a smoother, new layer of skin takes the place of the abraded
skin.
Fractional laser therapy does not wound the top layer of skin so it
takes less time to heal from this procedure. This type of laser therapy
works on a deeper level than does dermabrasion or laser resurfacing.
Afterward you may appear to have a sun burn for a few days. Other scar
removal techniques include collagen injections and fat transfer.
At-home products
Because Asian skin is likely to scar and discolor (hyper-pigmentation
or hypo-pigmentation) consult with your dermatologist before trying
at-home products. Do-it-yourself chemical peels and micro-dermabrasion
can make your scars even worse.
Do not underestimate the power of natural remedies such as applying
aloe vera, cucumber, lavender oil, rose hip oil or honey to your scars.
In addition, vitamin E and cocoa butter may help diminish the
appearance of your scars.
Ask your dermatologist about creams, gels and bandages that contain
silicone and which can be placed over your scar to reduce its
appearance. When you massage creams directly onto the scar, the cream
softens the scar tissue and promotes healing because massaging the skin
tissue realigns collagen fibers. Massage also breaks up scar tissue.
Scar removal creams
Dermatologist recommended scar removal creams include Mederma Skin Care
for Scars, Quantum Health Derma Scar Cream and Palmers Cocoa Butter
Scar Serum.
Unfortunately, when a scar develops and has penetrated through the
skin's layers the scar is permanent. However, there are ways for Asian
women, and anyone else who has acne scars and hates them, to reduce the
size and obviousness of their scar. Before proceeding, take into
consideration your ethnicity and the inherent risks, such as the
propensity of your skin to scar even more than it already is or become
discolored.