Moisturizers

Moisturizers prevent and treat dry skin, but that's not all they do. Moisturizers can protect sensitive skin, improve skin tone and texture, and mask imperfections. There are plenty of different moisturizers available. Here's help finding the right moisturizer for you.

Which moisturizer is best for you?

On the most basic level, moisturizers hold water in the outermost layer of skin. They also act as a temporary barrier. Many moisturizers contain some combination of humectants and emollients, as well as other ingredients.

The moisturizer that's best for you depends on many factors, including your skin type, your age and whether you have specific conditions, such as acne. For general guidelines, consider the following:

• Normal skin. Normal skin is neither too dry nor too oily. To maintain this natural moisture balance, use a water-based moisturizer that has a light, nongreasy feel. These moisturizers often contain lightweight oils, such as cetyl alcohol, or silicone-derived ingredients, such as cyclomethicone.
• Dry skin. To restore moisture to dry skin, choose a heavier, oil-based moisturizer that contains ingredients such as antioxidants, grape seed oil or dimethicone, which helps keep your skin hydrated. For very dry, cracked skin, petrolatum-based products are preferable. They have more staying power than creams do and are more effective at preventing water from evaporating from your skin.
• Oily skin. Oily skin is prone to acne and breakouts. Though oily, such skin still needs moisture, especially after using skin care products that remove oils and dry out the skin. A light moisturizer can also help protect your skin after washing. Choose a water-based product that's labeled "noncomedogenic," which means it won't clog pores.
• Sensitive skin. Sensitive skin is susceptible to skin irritations, redness, itching or rashes. Look for a moisturizer that contains soothing ingredients such as chamomile or aloe and doesn't contain potential allergens, such as fragrances or dyes. Also, avoid products containing acids, which can irritate sensitive skin.
• Mature skin. As you age, your skin tends to become drier because your oil-producing glands become less active. To keep your skin soft and well hydrated, choose an oil-based moisturizer that contains petrolatum as the base, along with antioxidants or alpha hydroxy acids to combat wrinkles. These ingredients help hold in moisture and prevent flaky, scaly skin.

Pimples and Acne? Go for garlic juice or mud pack

If pimples and acne scars on the face are bothering you, try putting some garlic juice or a mud pack. Or if you are game for medical help, laser treatment and chemical peels are an alternative, say dermatologists. 

The acne problem usually starts around the age of 10-13. Though many get rid of it by their 20s, for some it lingers. 

In teenagers, there are two things that trigger acne problem. First is hormonal changes in their body. In boys, it is the increased secretion of testosterone and in girls, the levels of both testosterone and oestrogen rises.

Due to these hormones the oil secretion in the body increases and the skin becomes oily and more prone to acne and breakouts. The other trigger for acne is bacterial infection.

About 90 per cent of teenagers suffer from acne in varying degrees of severity. It has a psychological effect on youngsters who want to have clean and clear skin. 

Various medical and natural treatments are available. 

"Medicated creams and face washes are there. Topical treatments for teenaged acne include benzoyl peroxide, sulphur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid are there. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found these effective for treating acne," said Meenakshi Agarwal, a Mumbai-based cosmetic surgeon. 

If the condition worsens, doctors prescribe oral antibiotics for bacterial infection, hormonal pills and light therapy with lasers. 

The lasers can cost Rs.5,000-Rs.10,000. 

"Chemical peels and microdermabrasion are used to lighten post-acne scarring and cost anything between Rs.1,500 and Rs.3,000," said Indu Tolani, dermatologist, Clinic Dermatec. 

Post-acne scars can be cleared by clean-ups with salicylic or glycolic acid at a clinic. Gentle exfoliation with these acids helps in taking out blackheads and whiteheads. Also, the skin becomes acidic and the bacteria doesn't grow in an acidic environment. 
But she warns teenagers against random treatments at beauty salons, saying: "It is important that the clean-up should be undertaken under the guidance of a dermatologist in a clinic." 

Some natural remedies like garlic juice, clay packs and lemon juice also help in avoiding acne and lightens scars. 

To avoid acne, wash your skin twice a day. Make sure that you use a mild face wash that is meant for your skin type. Washing your face too frequently, especially with harsh cosmetics, can aggravate your acne. Try to avoid processed foods like white bread and noodles as they often trigger outbreaks. 

"Use a face pack made of Fuller's earth (non-plastic clay or claylike earthy material) at least once or twice a week. This will help extract excess sebum and is therefore one of the best natural methods to treat acne. 

"You can also apply a little garlic juice on your face, for about an hour at least once a week. Although garlic juice will kill off acne-causing bacteria, do not keep it for too long as it can aggravate sensitive skin," she added. 

Mix equal parts of milk cream and lemon juice and apply on your face. The lactic acid and citric acid in these two (respectively) help in lightening the scars. 

Tolani says natural remedies help, but medical treatments are more efficient. 

"A lot of people try out natural, home-based remedies like clay packs to cut back the oil from their face. Some use gram flour to scrub away the debris and acne-laden skin, but these treatments are not sufficient and can't replace the efficacy of medical treatments," she said. 

Beautiful skin at every age....

Skincare  needs change as you age. When you reach middle age, the focus shifts to anti-aging regimes. As you age, your skin loses collagen, a strong fibrous substance that helps give your skin its firm, tight appearance. The loss of collagen results in wrinkles and skin tone. 
Your skin also tends to dry out as you age and the loss of moisture contributes to an aged look. But don't worry, it's never too late to start over. Regular skincare is a must. Since we age everyday, every second neglecting ourselves will kickstart the ageing process faster.  We must maintain a healthy diet along with regular workouts and a good skincare regimen.

Get back that glow
A six-step Bio-techno facial rejuvenation program is designed for sure shot results for any type of skin, age or colour. 

Step 1 - Exfoliation: An exfoliation routine consists of topical exfoliating creams and microdermabrasion. 
Step 2 - Stimulate New Collagen Formation: Most important step for removal of static facial wrinkles and fine lines. There is no quick non-surgical way to remove visible facial wrinkles. Laser resurfacing can quickly and effectively remove facial wrinkles. 
Step 3 - Removal of Abnormal Pigment: Although creams, exfoliations and lasers can remove many light brown spots, more aggressive therapy is needed for the removal of darker pigments, brown spots and larger vessels. A new laser called the Cool Glide is very effective. 

Today the IPL is the choice for combined pigment and smaller blood vessels that appear as a flush similar to Rosacea. The above therapies are effective and results are visible in about six weeks. Usually two or three treatments are needed. 
Step 4 - Relaxation of Muscles of Facial Expression: Botox is a revolutionary new drug, which effectively removes dynamic lines and wrinkles caused by the muscles of facial expression. 
Step 5 - Fill Deep Facial Lines and Contour Deformities: Soft tissue fillers such as Restylane, your own fat and other fillers can be injected into the skin beneath a deep facial line to plump and camouflage the line. They may also be used to plump lips and fill contour deformities caused by ageing. These fillers are temporary and must be repeated every six months. 

Step 6 - Skin Tightening: Skin tightening is a very important component of any facial rejuvenation process. The latest technologies using Infrared Radio-frequency and combined laser energy are showing promising results as non-surgical skin tightening methods. 

Anti-ageing is not just about miracle creams. It's about our attitude to enjoying life, feeling good and being happy with ourselves. Open up to what life has to offer and begin to enjoy the rest of your life!

Looking fresh as a daisy.....

June is here and with it comes along the task of keeping your makeup fresh all day long. Understand that it is tricky, especially with all the heat and humidity around. 

However, there are several simple tricks that you can use to manage the drippy effects of heat and moisture on your makeup. 
Touch-ups 
No matter what type of makeup you use, it is going to need several touch ups throughout the day. So, in your handbag, create a touch-up kit to take with you. Pack cosmetics which are handy to carry and also that aren't going to smudge and melt. For example, don't stock up on wax based eyeliners or lipsticks. Instead pack an eye shadow in the same shade as your eyeliner, and pack a fruity lip gloss instead of a lipstick. 
Use oil absorbing pads 
All right, so you have T-zone skin or oily pores. But fret not as another great tool to use are oil absorbing pads. These pads allow you to soak up extra oil that accumulates on your face throughout the day. By removing the extra oil, you will be able to extend the life of your makeup, and keep yourself looking fresher. 
Use oil-free moisturiser with apt SPF 
When the sun is up and shining, your skin tends to generate more oil. Because of this your makeup starts to slide around on your face. You can reduce the slipperiness of your face by switching from a greasy moisturiser to an oil-free lotion with apt SPF. This works as a sunscreen. 
Seal your makeup with a compact 
Shiny patches of skin can look greasy. And while you may look shiny, it's not a great sight honestly. To the rescue is the powder foundation. In fact, just go for a powder foundation instead of a liquid foundation. There are several companies that manufacture powder based foundations, eye shadows, and blushers. Choose any. 
Use a primer 
If you want your eyeliner and eyeshadow to last longer then try using a waxy eyeshadow primer. This will help protect your makeup from absorbing the oil from your skin. This will also allow it to stay where you put it. To remove the primer you will need to use a makeup remover. 
You can also go for long-wearing lipstick 
The lip colour formulas used in these lipsticks keep the wax from melting, which keeps your lip colour on your lips. Long lasting lipsticks are more common now and they come in a wide variety of colours, so no matter what your skin tone is, you should be able to find a colour that you will like. 

Glowing Skin...

Right there, on your kitchen shelf, are many ingredients that can easily be used to add radiance to your skin. 
Tone your skin daily with rose water. It is helpful for all skin types. Toning stimulates blood circulation to the skin surface and adds a glow. For a skin toner, take rose water and mix it with witch hazel. For dry skin, mix 3 parts of rose water with one part of witch hazel. For oily and combination skin, mix rose water and witch hazel in equal quantities. Witch hazel will be available at your local pharmacy. If you cannot get witch hazel, use plain rose water, or buy a rose-based skin tonic. Keep the toner in a bowl in the fridge and soak cotton wool pads in it. First use them to wipe the skin. Then, stroke the skin with them. On the cheeks, use outward and upward movements, ending each stroke at the temples and applying gentle pressure. On the forehead, start from the centre and go outwards on each side, again ending at the temples. For the chin, use circular movements. Then, pat the skin briskly with the rosewater-soaked cotton wool pads. 
Use a facial scrub twice a week. It can work wonders on the skin, helping to remove dead skin cells and making the skin brighter. It also improves skin texture and produces an even colour tone. It is a powerful cleansing procedure too, leaving the skin renewed, refreshed and glowing. For a scrub, mix ground almonds (badaam) with yogurt. Dried and powdered lemon and orange peels can also be added. Dry and powdered mint (pudina) leaves also help to add a glow. Apply the mixture on the face and leave on for a few minutes. Then, rub gently, with small circular movements, washing off with water. A facial scrub can also be made with walnut powder. Add honey and lemon juice. 
Mix honey and lemon juice in equal quantities and apply daily on the face. Wash it off after 20 minutes. It leaves the skin very soft and glowing. Egg white can also be added to this mixture. 
Fruit packs are great for adding radiance to the skin. They can also be applied daily. Mix grated apples with ripe papaya pulp and mashed banana. Yogurt or lemon juice can be added to the mixture. Apply it on the face and leave it on for half an hour. Wash off with plain water. It not only adds a glow, but also removes tan and makes the skin soft. 
Dried and powdered curry leaves (kari patta) can also be added to face packs, as it is said to add a glow to the skin. It can be mixed with Fullers Earth (multani mitti) and rose water into a paste. Apply on the face and wash it off when it is dry. Multani mitti also clarifies the skin and is particularly useful for oily skin. 

The skin is called the mirror of the body and rightly so. No other organ reflects the state of internal health as faithfully as the skin. An unhealthy lifestyle, lack of sleep and exercise, stress, nutritional deficiencies all reflect on the skin, in terms of dull lifeless skin. Include a variety of natural foods, like fresh fruits, raw salads, sprouts, yogurt, fresh fruit juices, leafy green vegetables, "dalia", oats, green tea, in your diet. Fresh fruit juices should be diluted with water. Drink plenty of water. Foods like these remove toxins and cleanse the system, adding a glow to the skin. Indeed, internal health and external beauty are two sides of the same coin. 

For smooth and silky skin...

Summers are perfect for those sexy shorts, sleeveless shirts, tees and tiny skirts, but this also means that you need to have smooth, flawless and hairless skin. You wouldn't want to wear your favourite outfits otherwise, would you? 

Why Laser? 
There are many techniques for hair removal — shaving, waxing, epilating and using hair removal creams. All these methods have their drawbacks and none of these methods are a permanent solution to your hairy problems. Some are painful, some lead to rashes, some darken your skin due to the chemicals involved. 

Dermatologists believe the best, by far, is reducing hair growth by laser. "It is the safest method of hair reduction today," says dermatologist Dr Soma Sarkar Mukherji. 

Hair removal using methods that are temporary means you have to constantly think of the re-growing hair and spend a lot of time in getting rid of it. Dr Abhijit Desai, cosmetic dermatologist says, "The other methods of hair removal may give rise to folititis and breakouts. Laser hair reduction according to the FDA definition is the permanent long-term reduction of hair. Eighty per cent of whatever is gone is gone forever. The balance hair is light and fine." 

The pain quotient 
If done by an accomplished and qualified doctor by using the best machines, the process is painless. Dr Mohan Thomas, cosmetic surgeon says that the energies required varies from person to person and have to supervised by a qualified, licensed doctor with approved machines or it may burn the patient's skin. 

Dr Desai says, "There are no infections and rashes and with the new techniques available the procedure is fast and hygienic. With the application of a topical anaesthetic cream the pain can also be dealt with." He adds that the upper lip is sensitive and anaesthetic may be required for the legs and hands. "For areas like the bikini line and underarms laser is the safest and the best way," he says. 

Preparations before the procedure 
Cosmetic physician Dr Rashmi Shetty says, "Laser does not understand the difference between hair and skin. It can destroy anything that is black in colour. So, make sure that you are not too tanned. If you are dark skinned and your hair is dark in colour then the doctor has to keep all that in mind set up the energies accordingly." 

Dermatologists say that hair that is in the growing phase or the initial anaphase responds best to laser. "Wax or shave ten days before you have planned a laser session," advises Dr Shetty. 

Beware 
Dr Thomas says, "Always do a patch test first to see whether the laser is suitable for you. And Indians have dark pigmented skin, so care needs to be taken while administering laser." 

Dr Desai cautions, "Honestly, laser hair reduction has no side affects. If done by a qualified trained doctor then you need not worry but if a technician is using laser on you, chances are that you may get burnt because technicians do not possess that kind of knowledge. There are cheaper China-made versions available and they may not be as useful. You should make sure that you get the best and the latest techniques available." 

Results 
You have to be realistic when you are looking at this treatment. It would be wrong to expect that you will have completely hairless, smooth skin in a matter of a few weeks. The result of the treatment varies from one person to the other. Dr Thomas says, "Lighter the skin and the darker the hair, the faster would be result of laser. More and more sessions would be required if you have dark skin and you need to have longer intervals as well, (about a month) between sessions." 

Points to remember: 
- This is the safest method of hair reduction today. 
- Types of available laser that are approved by the FDA are the Nd-YAG, the Alexandrite, Ruby Laser, Diode and the LP-nd-YAG. 
- If you are suffering from an underlying hormonal disturbance (like Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), you need to simultaneously take a treatment for that, only then will the laser treatment show results. 
- You need at least six to seven sessions with a minimum interval of about three weeks to a month between each session. 
- If you have dark skin you need to be extra careful. 
- It is extremely important that you go to a well-known, qualified dermatologist for your treatment.

Time taken 
Upper lip: around one or two minutes* 
Under arms: around 10 minutes or more* 
Full hands: around 20 minutes or more* 
Full legs: around 25 minutes or more* 

*Time taken per session. Every part of the body requires at least six or more such sessions. The time required for each depends on many factors and varies from one individual to the other.

'Dracula therapy'

With vampires enjoying unprecedented popularity thanks to series like True Blood and Vampire Diaries and movies like Twilight, here's something only the 'fan'glers out there might appreciate. 

There's a new, alternate therapy to Botox doing the rounds among anti-aging experts internationally - called the Dracula Therapy, no less - that promises younger looking skin using facial injections formulated from your own blood! 

The Dracula Therapy, introduced in London nearly two years ago by French cosmetic doctor Daniel Sister, has increasingly gained popularity in the West for knocking off the years in a natural way. Also called S3 or Stimulated Self Serum skin therapy, it heals scars and makes dry, wrinkled and lacklustre skin look and feel younger without the use of synthetic fillers or painful lasers or peels. 

This is how the therapy works: The doctor draws four vials of your blood, and separates it into red blood cells, the clear serum and the platelets. Then vitamins and amino acids are added and the serum is injected into your face. Supposedly, the injections can heal scars and renew skin through DNA repair. The idea has been inspired by a similar treatment conducted for decades by dentists using a patient's serum to regenerate receding gums. "I thought, if serum therapy was good enough for bones and soft tissue like gums, then it could do even better in the skin," said Dr Sister to an international publication. 

Too much Deodrants not Good...

You are constantly bombarded by deodorant advertisements on the television, who claim that their almost magical olfactory love potion will make you irresistible to the opposite sex. And in the lure of this claim, some of you just can't wait to get your hands on that deospray. And as a result, you must have sprayed yourself with it from head to toe. Also, summer's here in full swing with soaring temperatures, humidity, profuse sweating and sweat odour. And in the bid to avoid smelling like a skunk in this climate, many people are in the habit of dousing themselves and soaking their clothes with deodorants. As a by-product of this habit, you may be doing a public service to the olfactory senses of those around you. But little did you know that you might be harming your skin? Read on to find out how... 

Why are they harmful? 
There's no denying that deodorants help to neutralise or block body odour. Also, the fact that antiperspirants usually contain aluminum compounds which block the sweat glands and reduce the amount of sweat produced. And if there is no sweat, bacteria cannot act on proteins in the body to produce odour. 

Dermatologist Dr Sunita More warns about the unpleasant effects of these products. "Most of these products contain aluminium and parabens which mimic the female hormone - estrogen and act on breast tissue, so individuals with family history of breast cancer should avoid their use. Similarly, those with kidney problems should avoid antiperspirants containing aluminium, However, deodourants are preferred over anti-perspirants as they do not block the function of sweat glands." says she. 

Antiperspirants generally contain aluminium-based compounds which help to reduce sweat or the heavy use can clog sweat glands. Sweat glands discharge the waste from our body as sweat and if the waste is not being discharged from the body, it is unhealthy. Cosmetologist Dr Abhijit Desai says, "Deodorants cause irritation (because of alcohol) and redness which leads to itching and eventually slight pigmentation of the underarm area. The harmful effects of anti-perspirants are similar to those of deodorants but they are more due to intolerance to aluminium compounds in antiperspirants that can lead to conditions like contact dermatitis and allergy." 

What about deodourant sticks? 
In case you are wondering about the big dent your wallet is going to have, for you will have shelled out the big bucks on branded perfumes, don't fret. There is some reason to rejoice. Dermatologist Shreyas Kamath says, "Deodorant sticks are better than sprays. Sprays contain more chemicals for long lasting fragrance, which has a deeper impact on our skin than the sticks. The sticks are made with mild chemicals and generally does not harm the skin." 

Alcohol-free sprays are ideal 
There are certain deodorants that claim to be alcohol free and are ideal for use in comparison to alcohol-based ones, as they have very less chances of causing irritation and allergies. Also they are gentle on the skin and don't cause dryness. Dr Kamath opines that non-alcoholic deodorants are free from aluminium based compounds. They are skin-friendly deodorants. Many dermatologists recommend their patients to use non-alcoholic deodorants which are a bit costly, but does not affect the skin. 

Beware of cheap duplicates
Most of us sigh at the price tags of branded perfumes, and some of us get tempted to buy cheap duplicates sold at roadside stalls in various bustling shopping areas. You may be saving a whopping load of money doing so but you'll be subjecting your skin to a whopping load of damage too. That is because they can give rise to severe allergies and pigmentation of skin. Dr More cautions, "Do not go in for cheap, duplicate products as these can be extremely harmful as the chemical content is virtually unknown and unregulated by any reputed drug authority." 

She suggests natural remedies to keep oneself odour-free by sharing the following tips: 
- Include plenty of greens and salads in your diet 
- Avoid red meat and other poultry preparations during summers 
- Keep yourself well hydrated 
- Wear loose, cotton clothes which allow the skin to breathe freely 

Tomato for clear skin

Not only do tomatoes taste great but they also keep the skin healthy. It is necessary to consume tomatoes as they have lycopene, which is an antioxidant and hence works as a sunscreen from within. These antioxidants make tomato an anti-aging product as they help in fighting cellular damage and reddening of skin. It is recommended to have at least 16 milligrams of lycopene per day as they reduce the number of free radicals in the body and also help to retain the moisture in people who are used to sitting in air-conditioned environs. You don't need to spend your hard-earned money on expensive cosmetic treatments if you follow these simple steps to get healthy-looking skin:

Big pores? Shrink Them 
Big pores provide easy access to dirt and grime thus increasing the chances of infecting the pore. Take a tablespoon of fresh tomato juice. Add two to four drops of fresh lime juice to this. Use a cotton ball to apply this mixture on your face. Massage it in circular motions. Leave it on for about 15 minutes and then wash off with cool water. Regular application will shrink pores greatly.

Acne healing 
The acidity in tomatoes helps in reducing and clearing up your acne. Vitamin A and vitamin C are commonly found in a lot of acne medicines and tomatoes are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin K. If you have mild acne, cut a tomato in half and apply the inside on your face. For severe acne mash a fresh tomato and use the pulp as a pack on the face. Leave it on for an hour. Rinse it off and moisturise. Do this on a regular basis or as many times as you can. Your acne is bound to dry off soon.

Astringent
If you have oily skin and struggle to keep your face from shining like a fried papad, tomato is the solution to your agony. Crush a fresh tomato and strain it. Make a little cucumber juice and add it to the tomato juice. Apply this juice with a cotton ball daily to control excessive oiliness and acne.

Good to eat, great to clean 
A tomato and avocado mask works wonders on combination skin. This is because tomato works as an astringent as well as a blackhead and oil-reducing agent while avocados have an antiseptic and moisturising effect. A pack of mashed tomatoes and avocados help in soothing and cleansing combination skin (oily and dry), as they are rich in vitamin A, C and E. Apply this pack and wash off after 20 o 30 minutes with lukewarm water.

Burns no more 
Summer is fast approaching and with harsh summer comes burnt, inflamed skin. A lot of people's skin gets sunburnt, raw and itchy due to exposure to the sun. Crush half a tomato and mix it with two tablespoons of plain yogurt. Apply this concoction on face, neck, hands and feet. Wash it off after 20 minutes. Tomato cools the skin and neutralises the surface while yogurt gives it a much needed protein boost while leaving it soft and supple.

Glowing skin 
Mix honey with tomato juice until you get a thick paste. Apply this mixture and wash off after 15 minutes for smooth and glowing skin.

Why your face looks taut?

With the level of pollution going up, the only way to protect your skin is to keep it clean and hydrated and use regular face packs. 

Different skin types need to be cared for differently and same is the case for a face pack. But there are a few things that you should know about face packs before blindly applying them: 

- The first thing that you should know is that any face pack kept on your skin for more than 20 minutes will cause skin to stretch. This results in open pores, sagging skin and also wrinkles. So ladies, please do not go overboard with the pack. 

- The second most important thing that you should keep in mind is that you should apply a pack on alternate days. This is because daily scrubbing results in erosion of the surface of the skin making it dry and devoid of moisture. This may also result in breakouts. 

- Going near heat with the face pack on, results in chemical reaction in the products that go in your face pack. This leaves the skin dark, patchy and with open pores. 

- After washing out the face pack and scrubbing do not forget to apply a little ice on the face. This is because after scrubbing, the skin pores usually open up. Ice helps to close those pores and avoid skin disorders. Rubbing ice also acts in toning the skin. 

- You should preferably remove the face pack when it is partially wet. This prevents the face pack from being harsh on the skin. 

- A lot of us do the mistake of applying the pack near the eye area. This should be avoided completely since the skin around the eye is very sensitive and thin.

ACNE SCARRING

What is acne scarring?

Acne is a skin condition that affects up to 80% of people in their teens and twenties, and up to 5% of older adults. While many people recover from acne without any permanent effects, some people are left with disfiguring acne scars. There are some topical skin care products and medications that can improve mild scarring, but most acne scars are treated with a combination of procedures. Early acne scars  After an acne lesion has healed, it can leave a red or hyperpigmented mark on the skin. This is actually not a scar, but a post-inflammatory change. The redness or hyperpigmentation is seen as the skin goes through its healing and remodeling process, which takes approximately 6-12 months. If no more acne lesions develop in that area, the skin can heal normally. Any colour change or skin defect still present after 1 year is considered to be a permanent defect or a scar.

Treating early acne scars

The post-inflammatory changes caused by acne are part of the skin's natural healing process. There are certain practices and medications that can help facilitate this healing process. Unprotected exposure to the sun causes more skin damage and delays healing, therefore using a sunscreen is important.  Using tretinoin speeds up the skin's remodeling process and helps heal post-inflammatory changes.  Appropriate formulations of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Beta-Hydroxy Acid (BHA) that contain the correct concentrations and are at the appropriate pH also help the skin's remodeling process.  Picking at scabs should be avoided at all costs. Scabs form to protect the healing process that is going on underneath them. Pulling a scab off before it is ready interferes with the healing and remodeling process, prolonging the time that post-inflammatory changes will be visible. Acne scars are stubborn, and no single treatment is best for everyone. Various procedures can help treat these from collagen injections, in which the results are temporary to microdermabrasion to remove the cells on the surface of the skin or dermabrasion to completely remove the top layer of skin. Various laser treatments can also be used to treat acne scars. However, in some cases, surgery may be needed to remove deeply indented acne scars. The best way of treating acne scars is to start early and continue for as long as is necessary. There are, however, a number of treatments available when suffering from scar formation: Dermabrasion Dermabrasion is a cosmetic medical procedure in, which the surface of the skin is removed by abrasion (sanding). It is used to remove sun-damaged skin and to remove or lessen scars and dark spots on the skin. The procedure is very painful and usually requires a general anaesthetic or twilight anaesthesia, in which the patient is still partly conscious. Afterward, the skin is very red and raw-looking, and it takes several months for the skin to regrow and heal. Dermabrasion is useful for scar removal when the scar is raised above the surrounding skin, but is less effective with sunken scars. Laser dermabrasion is much easier to control, much easier to gauge, and is practically bloodless compared to classic dermabrasion. Microdermabrasion Microdermabrasion comes from the above mentioned technique dermabrasion. Microdermabrasion is a more natural skin care that is a gentler, less invasive technology for doing an exfoliation on the skin. The goal of microdermabrasion is to eliminate the superficial layer of the skin called the epidermis. If the surface of the abraded skin is touched, a roughness of the skin will be noticed. The roughness is keratinocytes, which are better hydrated than the surface corneocytes. Keratinocytes appear in the basal layer from the proliferation of keratinocyte stem cells. They are pushed up through the cells of the epidermis, experiencing gradual specialisation until they reach the stratum corneum where they form a layer of dead, flattened, strongly keratinized cells called squamous cells. This layer creates an efficient barrier to the entry of foreign matter and infectious elements into the body and reduces moisture loss. Keratinocytes are shed and restored continuously from the stratum corneum. The time of transit from basal layer to shedding is generally one month. Corneocytes are cells derived from keratinocytes in the late stages of terminal specialisation of squamous epithelia. Microdermabrasion is done to eliminate some of the corneocytes. These cells are responsible for the impermeability of the skin. The minimising or elimination of scars, skin lesions, blotchiness and stretch marks from the skin can be an easy process with the use of skin exfoliation. The result depends on how well the procedure known as skin remodeling works. Results are optimal and fewer treatments are needed with more recent and/or superficial scars. Still, microdermabrasion can be used on scars that showed up during puberty or many years later. Laser therapy Fractional laser resurfacing is a procedure, which wounds the skin using microscopic pulses of light. Over the course of several treatments scars are softened as the body regenerates the areas of microthermal wounding. Laser resurfacing is a technique used during laser surgery wherein molecular bonds of a material are dissolved by a laser. CO2 or erbium energy is used to treat the areas of discoloration closer to the surface and also penetrates deep into the dermis, eliminating damaged cells and stimulating the growth of new collagen. Collagen is stimulated for up to 6 months and this new collagen regeneration lifts and supports the skin's surface. The generation of the new skin cells in combination with collagen stimulation dramatically improves the appearance of acne scars. Depending on the depth of the scars, some patients may require anywhere from 1 to 3 treatments for acne scar removal. Chemical therapy Chemical peels improve and smoothen the texture of the facial skin using a chemical solution that causes the skin to blister and eventually peel off. The regenerated skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled and scarred than the old skin. Surgical therapy Subcision is a process used to treat deep rolling scars left behind by acne or other skin diseases. Essentially the process involves separating the skin tissue in the affected area from the deeper scar tissue. This allows the blood to pool under the affected area, eventually causing the deep rolling scar to level off with the rest of the skin area. Once the skin has leveled, treatments such as laser resurfacing, microdermabrasion or chemical peels can be used to smooth out the scarred tissue.