Pimples can not only affect physical appearance, but can influence self-esteem as well – especially when accompanied by acne redness. While acne can strike at any age and can vary in severity, discoloration of the skin can be caused by one pimple or many. All it takes is one mark to impact how a person sees themselves and their complexion. And it doesn’t matter if it is a little dot or a giant mark, it can ruin any important event from an interview to a date. Redness from acne is initially the result of inflammation, infection and eventually acne scarring. However, if you can reduce the discoloration and inflammation your acne will be less visible to yourself and others.
How does Redness from Acne Begin?
Most people associate acne redness with the final stages of pimples and the development of acne scars. However, it really starts when a skin blemish becomes infected. The skin forms a protective barrier around the body, and when irritation begins a discoloration will begin to appear. Irritation is caused by the pore being blocked and will almost always result in a moderate amount of redness that will go away if the pimple is left untouched. The danger lies when a blemish is popped. In most cases the skin becomes accidentally damaged, and infection sets in. Eventually these areas of discoloration will lead to red acne scars. While the resulting scars may be treatable with over-the-counter and home remedies, most cases will require treatment by a dermatologist.
Acne Redness Treatment at Home
The easiest way to alleviate acne redness is to stop popping pimples, and stop touching your face. The transfer of bacteria from the hands to the face is the easiest way to cause acne and to increase the risk of infection. If you must touch your face, always wash your hands, and avoid contact with any breaks in the skin.
Wearing sunscreen is not only good for your skin because it prevents sunburns and reduces the risk of premature aging, it also reduces the redness from acne and limits the formation of acne scars. Before you head outdoors, make sure to apply a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher, and limit your exposure to direct sunlight if possible by either sitting in shaded areas or wearing a hat.
Topical treatments can also be used to reduce acne redness, but should only be applied to areas where the skin is unbroken. So if you are prone to popping pimples, using this type of home treatment will not work until the area is healed, otherwise you risk further infection. There are two basic types of acne redness treatment. Mild discoloration can be treated with home remedies such as asprin and oatmeal masks, or over-the-counter treatments. Severe discoloration will require a prescription by a physician or dermatologist. However, keep in mind the redness may disappear, but an acne scar can still result.
Hyperpigmentation and Red Acne Scars
So your skin has finally healed, but there is still a red mark from the pimple – how can that be? The resulting acne redness isn’t actually a scar. It is the hyperpigmentation or discoloration of the skin. While the discoloration may not exhibit as much redness as the initial skin blemish, the resulting mark will last between 6 to 12 months. In some cases, the changes in coloration will disappear. If this is not the case, the result is a red acne scar which can change the color and the surface texture of the skin. At this point a consultation with a dermatologist can determine the best type of treatment, which can range from topical, dermabrasion or possibly laser resurfacing.
Acne redness is something everyone will deal with at some point in their lives, but the severity will vary between individuals. Keep in mind if you are suffering from an acne flair up or even just one pimple, keep your hands away from your face and avoid breaking the blemish to prevent further infection. If the discoloration won’t go away, or it is bothersome to you, try some home remedies or see a dermatologist for additional options.