# How to Prevent Acne Scars From Forming After Breakouts
Acne scars don’t have to be permanent. The good news is that preventing them starts long before you ever need expensive laser treatments or professional procedures. By taking the right steps during and after a breakout, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing lasting scars.
The foundation of scar prevention is controlling your acne in the first place. When you keep breakouts under control, you automatically reduce your scarring risk. The longer acne remains inflamed, the higher the chance of tissue loss. This means treating even minor acne now can prevent the need for expensive laser surgery later.
One of the most important things you can do is keep your hands off your blemishes. This might seem obvious, but it’s worth emphasizing because picking or popping a pimple is one of the biggest mistakes people make. When you squeeze or pop a pimple, you push bacteria and inflammation deeper into the dermis, significantly increasing the risk of a permanent scar. The germs on your fingers can also cause an infection, and your fingernails or tools can tear your skin, making the damage worse.
If you have stubborn blackheads or cysts that really need to be dealt with, let a medical professional handle them in a sterile environment. Professional extractions minimize trauma to the skin compared to doing it yourself at home.
Sun protection is another critical piece of the puzzle. UV exposure darkens existing marks and slows down the skin’s ability to heal. Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun-protection factor of 30 or more every single day is very important to prevent further hyperpigmentation of scars. Skin with more pigment will tan more easily and hold on to its color longer, so sun exposure will make scars even darker and they will stay darker for longer. This applies even on cloudy days.
When it comes to your daily skincare routine, avoid over-washing your face. While it might feel like the best acne treatment is to scrub your blemishes away, too much cleaning can have the opposite effect. Washing your face too many times can be abrasive on your skin, causing inflammation, which leads to additional breakouts. Instead, wash your face once in the morning and once at night. Channel all of your cleansing urges into keeping your hands oil-free and away from your face.
Treating your acne with the right products and methods recommended by dermatologists is essential. This means using products that can help cleanse and support the skin while you’re dealing with active breakouts. The goal is to get your acne under control as quickly as possible to minimize inflammation and tissue damage.
By following these prevention strategies, you’re taking control of your skin’s future. Remember that the best time to prevent acne scars is before they form. Once scars develop, treating them becomes much more complicated and expensive. So focus on keeping your hands off your blemishes, protecting your skin from the sun, maintaining a gentle skincare routine, and treating your acne promptly with dermatologist-recommended methods.
Sources
https://www.cvs.com/learn/beauty/skin-care/acne-scars
https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g69703004/best-treatments-for-acne-scars/
https://www.fairfaxderm.com/post/understanding-acne-and-scarring
https://worldofasaya.com/blogs/acne/can-acne-scars-be-prevented-expert-insights
https://www.wederm.com/blog/stop-acne-by-stopping-these-habits/
Expert Insight
This article was reviewed by skincare professionals who specialize in acne treatment and skin health. The information provided is based on current dermatological research and clinical best practices.
