How long does it take for acne scars to fade?

There are multiple steps involved in the tackling of acne, not that this is news to anyone who actually suffers from acne. However, once the initial inflammation or future breakouts have been contained there is often scarring that has to be dealt with. We caught up with Head Trainer at Sukin, Cathy Galileos to learn about how long it takes for acne scars to fade, what could be contributing and how to speed up the process.

RELATED: How to know what type of pimple you have

RELATED: The best salicylic creams to add to your routine, ASAP

What is the life cycle of a pimple?

While we tend to think pimples just “appear” overnight, the truth is that they actually “[take] seven to 14 days...to fully form underneath the surface,” explains Galileos. When you can see yellow fluid underneath the skin, the blemish is actually already in the final stage of healing, says Galileos. From that point, it usually heals within three to seven days.  bh loves: Sukin Blemish Control Pore Perfecting Toner and Sukin Blemish Control Spot Banishing Gel.

What factors contribute to a blemish scarring?

The main contributor to a blemish scarring is trying to pop it, explains Galileos. “We know it’s so hard not to, but when you pop a pimple it can cause the blemish to become more inflamed, swollen and infected. Squeezing can often push bacteria deeper into the skin and cause damage to the surrounding area, scabs can then form, and may leave pits, scars and temporary darkening of skin-pigmentation,” she says. It also usually increases the recovery time of the blemish. One of the easiest solutions here is to avoid “popping, picking and squeezing. Let them heal in their own time." Also investing in good cleansing products will make a huge difference.

So, how long does it take for acne scars to fade?

“Depending on the type of scarring, health and lifestyle, daily skincare routine and letting a blemish run through its life cycle, [scarring from a surface blemish] may take two to six weeks to fade,” say Galileos. However, consistency is key. Ensuring you are removing makeup properly and using a morning and nighttime skincare routine will contribute to stopping blemishes from forming in the first place.

What products should you be looking for to help with acne scarring?

Soothing, decongesting and nourishing products are the way to go when looking to heal acne scars. Natural ingredients include eucalyptus, tea tree and willowherb, which also have “antibacterial properties to calm an irritated blemish,” says Galileos. bh loves: Sukin Rosehip Certified Organic Oil

Vitamin C is another great ingredient for reducing acne scarring and the darkening of skin pigmentation that often comes with it. bh loves: Skinceuticals C E Ferulic (find it at skinceuticals.com.au) and Peter Thomas Roth Potent C Power Serum (find it at sephora.com.au)

Main image credit @juleshough

Do you have any go-to products for helping acne scarring?