How to Diminish Stretch Marks + Acne Scarring

When women get pregnant or start breaking out, we tend to develop stretch marks and scarring. Stretch marks and scarring are common in all skin types. What if there was a way we could help make them look less noticeable? We talk about the causes of scarring and ingredients to help combat their appearance. 

How to Stretch Marks and Scars Form?

Scarring can come in many forms. Whether you scrape your knee or you have acne scars, they both damage the skin’s appearance. When the dermis is damaged, it will start to rebuild itself by producing collagen. The amount of collagen produced results in the appearance of the scar. The more collagen produced, the more the scar tissue will rise giving it a raised and puffy appearance. The less collagen produced will give it a flatter or even indented appearance.

Stretch Marks

Scarring can come in many forms. Whether you scrape your knee or you have acne scars, they both damage the skin’s appearance. When the dermis is damaged, it will start to rebuild itself by producing collagen. The amount of collagen produced results in the appearance of the scar. The more collagen produced, the more the scar tissue will rise giving it a raised and puffy appearance. The less collagen produced will give it a flatter or even indented appearance.

• Pregnancy: In pregnant women, stomach growth affects the elasticity of the skin resulting in stretch marks. This sudden pull on the skin results in the production of collagen that will create the scar.
• General Stretch Marks: If your family had stretch marks in the past, the higher chances you are to develop stretch marks. Stretch marks can develop if you are involved in rapid weight loss or gain and during puberty. However, not everyone’s stretch marks are the same - they can vary in color and texture. The marks can be red, white, purple, pink, or dark brown depending on your skin tone, and when they first appear they may be raised and feel slightly itchy.

Acne Scars

Acne scars are created by the body’s natural processes to heal and unclog your pores. When the pores are clogged with excess oil, dirt, and dead skin cells, the skin becomes inflamed. This inflammation creates acne on the skin. When the acne damages deeper layers of the skin it creates scarring.

Thankfully, acne closer to the surface of the skin will result in little to no scarring. Most scars are atrophic - meaning they’re shallow and flat in appearance. They result from the skin healing below the damaged skin above. There are 3 subtypes of atrophic scarring: icepick, rolling, and boxcar scars. 

• Ice pick Scars: These scars are usually small and narrow. They give an indentation kind of look and are mostly found on the cheeks. 
• Rolling Scars: These scars have different sizes and depths. They usually can make the skin look uneven and bumpy. 
• Boxcar Scars: These scars are usually caused by ongoing acne or widespread acne. They have a box appearance and can make the skin look uneven as well. Boxcar scars tend to be located where thicker skin is located like around the cheeks. 

What Skincare Ingredients Help with Scarring?

There are few studies that show the effects of whether or not home remedies can help with scarring; however, there are some studies that show Vitamin E, turmeric, and coffee can help with scarring. 

• Vitamin E: Helps speed cell production - making the skin heal faster. The oil penetrates deep into the skin’s tissue to help repair beyond the surface skin damage. Some studies show that Vitamin E can also help the skin be more elastic.
• Turmeric: The properties within turmeric can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scars. Turmeric also happens with hyperpigmentation as well.
• Coffee: The caffeine within coffee helps to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and tightens the skin. Coffee also can help reduce the appearance of cellulite as well.