Minimize acne scars and incorporate these vitamins into your daily self-care routine

Acne affects millions of Americans each year, sometimes causing persistent scarring that can be difficult to remove. Certain vitamins, including vitamin A, can help clear acne scars, an expert told Fox News Digital.

Fifty million Americans treat acne annually, according to the American Academy of Dermatology website. Acne is the most common of all skin conditions and occurs at any age in life, although it usually begins during puberty.

When an acne breakout occurs, there is a chance of scarring. Acne scars can be difficult to erase and can affect self-esteem.

Adult acne: Dermatologists explain acne treatments and reveal more about the skin condition

“Acne occurs when the small hair follicles in the skin become blocked and there is a build-up of dead skin cells, debris and oily material in the pores. This forms a pus-filled bump, which breaks and attracts inflammation to the surrounding skin,” Dr. Ife J. Rodney, founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics in Fulton, Maryland, told Fox News Digital via email.

“This inflammation damages both the deeper collagen in the skin and the surface cell layers,” Rodney added. “When the surface is damaged, you can get discoloration (brown or red spots) and when the skin’s collagen is damaged, you can get uneven texture and ‘ice pick’ acne scarring.

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There is no one-size-fits-all solution to removing acne scars. Each individual’s treatment is different.

several vitamins and minerals can help remove acne scars. Read below to learn more about them.

1. Zinc

2. Vitamin C

3. Vitamin B3

Zinc is a mineral that users may find helps reduce their acne scars.

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According to Rodney, it can be successful in removing acne scars by reducing oil production and inflammation in the skin.

“It also helps with wound healing and collagen production, a key step in managing acne scars,” Rodney said.

It is important to be careful when using zinc as it can do more harm than good.

Too much zinc can cause copper deficiency and acne breakouts due to increased testosterone levels, Rodney told Fox News Digital.

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The Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) recommends 8 to 11 milligrams of zinc per day. Consult a doctor or dermatologist.

Vitamin C is abundant in fruits and vegetables and can be taken in supplemental form.

Vitamin C can help with acne scars because it “brightens the skin and also improves collagen production and helps the body repair damaged cells,” Rodney said.

To prevent acne scars before they form, it is vital to avoid touching pimples. Do your best not to pop a pimple, as this could increase the risk of scarring.

“When you have an acne lesion, whether it’s a blackhead, a whitehead, a pus-filled bump (pustule), or even an acne cyst, don’t try to grab or squeeze the bump,” Rodney said.

“This only causes more damage to the skin and increases inflammation, which leads to more severe scarring that takes longer to heal.”

Vitamin B3 is also often used to help clear acne scars.

Vitamin B3, “also known as niacinamide, stimulates collagen production and fights hyperpigmentation, improving both skin tone and texture,” Rodney told Fox News Digital.

While vitamins and minerals can play a role in reducing acne scars, it’s important to remember that you likely need more than just vitamins to help improve acne scars.

Vitamins can promote overall skin health, but working with a dermatologist will help you establish a treatment plan that works best for you.

“Vitamins alone cannot clear acne scars. The way vitamins work is that they create a healthy overall environment in the skin, which provides the best opportunity for the scars to heal. The most effective treatments for acne scars are in-office procedures performed by your dermatologist,” Rodney said.

Acne treatments include microneedling, laser treatments, and chemical peels.

“The specific treatment regimen we recommend depends on a variety of factors, including the type and extent of acne scarring, skin type, and how long the scarring has been present,” Rodney said.

“With all of these treatments, we typically recommend a series of 4-6 treatments spaced one month apart. It’s important to understand that treating acne scars is a gradual process. There are no overnight results.”

Source of original article: Minimize acne scars and incorporate these vitamins into your daily self-care routine