Can Face Wash That Contains Cucumber And Vitamin E Help With Old Acne Scars?

Acne affects more than 90 percent of adolescents, frequently adding to the emotional stress of this already challenging phase of life. In about 15 percent of cases, acne and its psychological impact persist into adulthood, and for those afflicted with acne scars, a glance in the mirror can mar even the best of days. Acne scars can be treated in a number of ways, but some methods are painful, most are expensive and your insurance may not pay for what are deemed “cosmetic” procedures. Thus, it is tempting to try over-the-counter remedies to remove those unsightly pits and divots. Unfortunately, there’s no convincing evidence that any of them work.

Inflammation Is the Trigger

Acne can occur in any area of your skin that contains high concentrations of oil glands – doctors call them “pilosebaceous units” – but your face, back and chest are most likely to be involved. Acne results from the interplay of several factors. As your sebaceous glands mature under the influence of hormones, they produce more sebum, or oil, and they shed more skin cells, which leads to plugging of your follicles, or pores. Oils and debris accumulating within a follicle create an environment that favors bacterial growth, which triggers an inflammatory response around the follicle. If the follicle ruptures – often a consequence of squeezing or picking a pimple – inflammation dramatically increases. The more inflammation there is around a pimple, the more likely it is to form a scar. Once a scar exists, topical agents, such as cucumber or vitamin E, are of little value.

Cucumber – Good for Wrinkles, Not So Good for Scars

In the May 2011 issue of “Archives of Dermatological Research,” scientists from India’s Jadavpur University reported that cucumber juice possesses potent antioxidant properties, and it inhibits two enzymes – hyaluronidase and elastase – that contribute to the formation of wrinkles in your skin. However, wrinkles and scars are formed by different forces. Wrinkles result from a breakdown of collagen and elastin, proteins that confer strength and pliability to your skin. In contrast, acne scars arise from the disorganized production and deposition of collagen around inflamed follicles. There is no evidence that cucumber products can remove acne scars.

Vitamin E – A Potent Antioxidant, But No Scar Remover

Topically applied vitamin E penetrates into your skin’s deeper layers, where it neutralizes toxic free radicals, stabilizes immune cell membranes and reduces the production of inflammatory chemicals. Due to its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, vitamin E has gained a reputation among medical practitioners and laypeople alike for preventing and healing scars. However, a July 2006 review in “Canadian Family Physician” reported that there is little scientific data to support vitamin E’s usefulness for either removing old scars or preventing new ones from forming. In fact, vitamin E may actually interfere with wound healing, and up to one-third of individuals using topical vitamin E preparations experience local reactions, such as burning, redness, blistering or hives.

Treatment Options

If over-the-counter creams and lotions are not particularly useful for removing acne scars, what are your options? According to experts at the University of Naples Federico in Naples, Italy, your choices depend on the type and severity of your scars. Atrophic scars – those that lie beneath the surface of surrounding skin – respond to chemical peels, dermabrasion, laser treatment, punch removal of individual scars, skin grafting, hyaluronic acid or fat injections and needling techniques. Hypertrophic scars, also known as keloids, are those that rise above the surface of surrounding skin. Depending on their size and location, hypertrophic scars can be treated with lasers, freezing, injections of steroids or chemotherapeutic agents, silicone gel applications and surgical removal followed by plastic repair.

Prevention Is Key

Discussions about prevention may seem hollow to someone who already has acne scars. However, many people with acne scarring also have persistent acne, and limiting the development of new scars is important. Acne should be aggressively treated to minimize the inflammation that contributes to scar formation. If you have acne, stick to your treatment plan. If it doesn't seem to be working, ask your dermatologist if your therapy should be changed. Scrupulously avoid picking or otherwise traumatizing pimples. If you already have acne scars, see your doctor to discuss your options.