Camouflaging Acne Scars- Can It Really Be Done?

Camouflaging Acne Scars- Can It Really Be Done?
By Mari Bozozo

If you’ve suffered from acne for years on end as I have, you more than likely have a very up
close and personal, albeit turbulent relationship with its successor- scars. Even if you have
managed to win the battle against acne, you continue to wage the war against the scarring that
it has indefinitely left behind. Thanks to having highly skilled estheticians in my corner, coupled
with eating sensibly, taking the proper supplements, and drinking lots of water, the lot of my
acne has been, for a lack of a better phrase, “in remission” for quite some time now. However,
the scars that it’s left me with have posed more than my fair share of challenges. These
challenges, in my estimation, supersedes its predecessor by leaps and bounds. Acne is cyclical,
meaning that it comes and goes. But the scars that it leaves behind lasts forever. There is no
taking a break from the permanence of scars, as they are always there. Always. Similar to scars
that ensue from general injuries to the skin, acne scars will have to be lived with for the rest of
one’s life. While there will be a few exceptions to this rule, that will not be the case for the
majority.
Speaking as a person who is without question a part of this majority, I exhausted almost every
conceivable opportunity before coming to the conclusion that I’d just have to learn to live with
having acne scars. Amongst the many attempts I made before throwing in the towel, I recall
getting fillers with questionable ingredients such as animal byproducts injected into my scars.
These fillers did absolutely nothing for me, but give me nodules at each injection site. I will admit
that a marginal amount of collagen was generated, but not enough to warrant this temporary fix
as a long term solution for me. In addition, my skin’s lumpy appearance only amplified my self-
consciousness, further convincing me that this was not the solution, especially for the price tag
that accompanied it.
Next, I moved on to the world of laser treatments. There was a mixed bag of results this go-
round. On the one hand, it did wonders for the brown spots I had, in terms of lightening up these
areas, and evening out my skin tone as a whole. Another plus was that after only a few
treatments, my facial hair could be removed with the most minimal effort. I could literally pull the
hair out with just my fingers. I enjoyed the benefit of not having to be waxed and plucked on a
routine basis. The downside to these treatments, aside from the steep cost and requiring
downtime on account of the sometimes massive peeling, my scars remained the same. Let me
clarify that I have scarring of the “ice pick” nature, which compromises the integrity of the skin. It
goes beyond the surface of the skin, appearing to be pitted or punctured. The scarring varies in
shape and size and dominates the better part of my face. Some of my scars are more
superficial than others, but they all fall under the same category, as far as I’m concerned: Visible
and intrusive. Naturally, I hoped that the laser treatments would eliminate my problem, but they
did not. Not even a little. Sigh. Finally, after seeing my dermatologist for months on end,
spending an insurmountable amount of money on the treatments, products, and even the gas to
take the inconvenient drive to get to the office, I was told that the laser treatments were not
going to give me the results that I was looking for. Yes, it would considerably smoothen out the
outer skin’s surface. Yes, it would give me a more even skin tone. But nothing beyond that.
Wait... What?! I went into this believing that it would. I can’t say that this dermatologist told me
verbatim that she would rid me of my scars. However, she never once made it crystal clear that
she could not, either. This is why it is of vital importance to discuss all objectives and
expectations prior to any treatments and/or product usage so that you will avoid the scenario
that I just described. But I digress...
Once I learned that the laser treatments weren’t going to yield results, I then consulted a plastic
surgeon. In a nutshell, I was not a candidate for any radical procedures, as the risks were
deemed too high. Instead, I opted to try out collagen injections. While some of my scars seemed
to have minimized overnight, the results did not last. Another dead end for me. I felt helpless
and hopeless at this point. After having discussed my feelings, my surgeon literally told me that I
was beautiful, regardless. To have a plastic surgeon say that to me was like finding an oasis in
the insufferable desert. Believe it or not, his sentiment curtailed my urgency to fix my problem.
Thought not indefinitely.
Soon thereafter, it was back to the drawing board. I was still very much determined to win the
gold medal in “achieving the perfect skin” Olympics. From purchasing what I can only describe
as self-adhesive thick plastic bandages to using Bio oil, I kept coming up empty-handed. After
making the quiet realization that these scars would be my plight in life, I began experimenting
with things that could possibly soften their appearance. Seeking out an esthetician proved to be
invaluable. Once I began getting regular cleanings and extractions, my skin began to look
brighter. Along the way, I tried a green peel, and have gotten several Vitamin A peels. These
peels proved to be the ultimate exfoliators, which further assisted me in having better-looking
skin. The Microdermabrasions that I received did wonders in shedding even more dead skin,
thus evening out my skin tone. Putting my consummate perfectionism aside, I was able to take
on a pragmatic approach prior to each session, as to avoid having unrealistic expectations. To
my astonishment, I did see results. They were not radical by a long shot, but the results were
there nonetheless. My scars seemed to be not as pronounced, and my surrounding skin
became even in tone and texture. Keep in mind that this was after years of discipline. I can’t say
it enough- facials and peels (both preferably administered by highly skilled estheticians) will
prove to be indispensable to all of us with troubled skin. In my individual case, having these
services actually have reduced, if only a little, the appearance of my scarring.
I’m also a ginormous fan of oil blotters and face primers. I notice that my scars appear to be
more prevalent because of two factors: harsh lighting and oily looking skin. Of course, I avoid
unfavorable lighting as much as it is convenient for me to do so. Equally as critical is the use of
oil blotters. I usually buy a store brand version of Clean and Clear. They work fantastically. I try
my best to blot at least every two hours if I am away from home for extended periods of time. I
focus on my forehead (the oiliest part of my face), cheeks, nose, and chin. My makeup stays
intact, with a perfectly matte finish in tow, and I hardly notice my scars, as a result. An oil-free
face primer is another weapon to keep in your arsenal. I love Smashbox’s Photo Finish
Foundation Primer. It minimizes pores and keeps the shine at bay for hours. I can wear it alone,
or under/over my makeup. My scars seem to be less prominent when I wear this primer.
Another great thing about both of these items is that they are very inexpensive, considering the
wonders that they perform.
So to answer my own question- Yes, I do believe that one can camouflage acne scars.
Eliminate? No. But using the right tools to soften and detract from its appearance? Yes!
Absolutely! I am a walking testament to that.
All the Best to you in your quest to have Happier & Healthier skin!
Mari