PICTURE: PEXELS/ ACNE SCARS
There is a lot of misunderstanding regarding the effects of breakouts when it comes to skincare, particularly when it comes to acne.
Some individuals treat post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and acne scars as though they are the same thing.
Although they are both frustrating to deal with, the fact is that they are quite different skin care issues with distinct causes that call for entirely different treatment strategies.
Since both may appear following a breakout, it’s easy to confuse the two skincare issues but tackling them with a one-size-fits-all approach frequently results in disappointment, for obvious reasons.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is a surface-level colour shift, whereas acne scars are similar to deep structural damage beneath the skin’s surface. The first step to receiving effective treatment and avoiding skincare blunders is realising this distinction.
The NAVA Skincare Clinic states that acne scars are typically easily distinguished from hyperpigmentation. This is because scarring involves surface alterations that are unrelated to the skin’s colour. These alterations are frequently seen as drooping, sunken cheeks or brows. The types of depression that depressed acne scars form are frequently used to classify them in medical circles.
You can take charge of your skincare routine and stop wasting time on products that don’t address the particular problem at hand by understanding the difference between the two. Let’s examine the differences between acne scars and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and the reasons you should no longer treat them similarly.
Amaira Clinic highlights that while acne can cause both hyperpigmentation and acne scars, they differ greatly. Acne scars change the texture of the skin by producing raised or indented areas, whereas hyperpigmentation changes the colour of the skin without changing its texture.
According to the above source, “When it comes to treating hyperpigmentation and acne scars, several options are available, ranging from over-the-counter products to professional treatments. Your choice of treatment will depend on the severity of your condition, your skin type, and how quickly you want to see results.”
