Acne is a common skin condition that affects many people. It can be a frustrating and painful experience. However, some signs can indicate that your acne is healing, and it is important to be aware of them so you can take steps to promote healing and prevent new breakouts from forming. A combination of hormonal changes, genetics, and certain medications causes acne. The primary cause of acne is an increase in the production of a natural oil called sebum, produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin. When the sebaceous glands produce too much sebum, it can clog the hair follicles and lead to the formation of acne.
We want to emphasize, though, that at the end of the day, with or without acne, you are a beautiful person. We find that acne is an amazing feat that makes you unique and helps you stand out, and we would not want it to get you down! However, we understand that it can be painful and tricky to navigate, so healing is welcome.
After your acne scar treatment, it’s important to note that the healing process may not happen overnight. Recovery may take time. It’s also important to be patient with your skin, as it may take a little while for the full effects of your skincare routine or medications to become apparent.
Here are six promising signs that acne is healing:
Sign #1: Reduced Inflammation
One of the most obvious signs that acne is healing is a reduction in inflammation! If you notice that your acne is less red and swollen, it is a good indication that your skin is healing. This is because inflammation is a key component of the immune response during an acne breakout.
When a pore becomes clogged with oil and bacteria, the body sends white blood cells to the area to fight the infection. This results in redness, swelling, and sometimes pain. As the immune response subsides and the infection is cleared, the inflammation will also decrease, indicating that the acne is healing. This can be due to the effectiveness of your skincare routine or the use of prescription medications. Congratulations!
Sign #2: Fewer Breakouts
Yet another sign that acne is healing is that you have fewer breakouts. When the underlying causes of acne, such as excess oil production, the buildup of dead skin cells, and bacterial overgrowth, are effectively treated, the frequency of new pimples forming will decrease.
Additionally, when existing pimples are cleared, they will not reappear, resulting in fewer breakouts overall. In this way, fewer breakouts indicate that the acne is healing and the treatment is effective. This indicates that your skin is on the road to recovery!
Sign #3: Improved Texture
The improved texture signifies that acne is healing because when the underlying causes are effectively treated, the skin will look and feel smoother. Acne causes the formation of pimples, which can result in scarring and discoloration once they heal. As the treatment progresses, the skin will start to heal, and the scars will start to fade away, resulting in an overall improvement in skin texture.
Additionally, as the pores unclog and the excess oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria are removed, the skin will look and feel less greasy and bumpy.
Sign #4: Less Scarring
As the healing process continues, you may notice that the scars are becoming less noticeable and less raised and flatter. When acne is treated effectively, the skin can heal itself without leaving behind permanent damage. Acne causes inflammation, as mentioned earlier, damaging the skin and leading to scarring. When the acne is treated, and the inflammation subsides, the skin will start to heal, and the scars will fade away.
Additionally, various treatment options, such as chemical peels, laser resurfacing, dermal fillers, or micro-needling, can help to reduce the appearance of acne scars.
Sign #5: Less Oily Skin
As we have mentioned countless times, acne is caused by a buildup of oil underneath the skin. As such, when you wash your face and do your skincare routine, and you notice that the skin feels a little bit less oily than before, that is great skin that the underlying issue has been addressed and that your acne is healing!
Sign #6: Reduced Discolouration
As your acne heals, you may notice that the discoloration caused by inflammation is also fading. This is especially true for those who experience post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which can be common among people with darker skin.
Some topical treatments such as Retinoids, Vitamin C, Kojic acid, and azelaic acid can help to improve the overall skin tone by reducing discoloration caused by acne.