Vitamin C for Acne Scars
Acne scars can be an annoying problem. This can lower self-confidence for some people. Therefore, new routine actions need to be done to overcome it, one of which is by using vitamin C for acne scars to overcome acne scars.
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Vitamin C or also called ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin, which is important for the health of the body, including for your skin. The body does not produce vitamin C, therefore you need to get it from outside the body, namely from food and supplements.
Vitamin C for Acne Scar
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals. The powerful antioxidant effect of vitamin C is very beneficial for the skin. Vitamin C also has anti-inflammatory effects that have been tested, so it is useful for curing acne.
The skin is an organ that receives a lot of free radicals from UV rays, cigarette smoke, and pollution. The outermost layer of the skin, the epidermis, must contain enough vitamin C to protect, aid the inflammatory healing process, and help regenerate skin cells. Acne is an inflammatory condition due to the blockage of oil glands on the surface of the skin. Because acne is one of the inflammatory processes that can be aggravated by other stressors, vitamin C as an anti-inflammatory has a role to overcome this.
Acne Scars
Acne scars form after inflammation in the oil glands can be overcome, so the acne deflates. The easing of inflammation of the oil glands often leaves scars in the form of reddish, blackish patches, or even thickened layers of skin, which we often refer to as acne scars.
Also read: Strong Acne Medication.
Acne scars are usually formed when the healing process of acne does not go well. The three most common types of acne scars are skin atrophy, skin hypertrophy, and keloids. Atrophy occurs because some skin tissue, especially those containing collagen, is damaged. Hypertrophy and keloids occur due to excessive production of collagen, so the skin appears thickened or even forms bulges (keloids).
Vitamin C Overcomes Acne Scars
Vitamin C can increase the natural synthesis of collagen in the body, including in the skin. Collagen is a protein that plays a role in maintaining the structure and integrity of skin tissue so that the skin looks healthy and moisturized. Because of its effect that can increase collagen synthesis, vitamin C can help remove atrophic acne scars.
A study that lasted for 4 weeks on 30 women with atrophic acne scars who were given microneedling therapy plus giving 15% vitamin C cream once a week showed faster healing results of acne scars compared to those who were not given additional vitamin C cream.
Other therapies have been known to treat atrophic acne scars, such as the use of chemical peels, dermabrasion, and laser therapy. This therapy has the same principle, which aims to damage the damaged part of the epidermis and stimulate the process of skin regeneration. Supplemental provision of vitamin C is proven to help accelerate and maximize the process of skin regeneration because vitamin C can stimulate collagen synthesis.
For hypertrophied and keloid acne scars it is not recommended to give vitamin C cream, because vitamin C will stimulate collagen synthesis, which is likely to aggravate the hypertrophic condition that occurs. For this type of acne scar, other therapies such as silicone gel to hydrate hypertrophied skin, or steroid injections to reduce the volume of thickened skin tissue.
Other Benefits of Vitamin C on the Skin
Vitamin C has other benefits for skin health. The first can improve hyperpigmentation on the skin. Skin hyperpigmentation is a dark area formed by acne, UV rays, or wounds.
The application of vitamin C can reduce hyperpigmentation because vitamin C intervenes in the enzyme tyrosinase, which is responsible for the production of melanin, which is a producer of color pigment in the skin. If this enzyme is inhibited, then the process of excessive melanin production that causes the formation of hyperpigmentation can subside. The mechanism of action of anti-hyperpigmentation is also the basis of the theory that vitamin C can brighten the skin.
That's a little information about "Vitamin C For Acne Scars". Hope it is useful.