Can You Fade Acne Scars with Brightening Patches?

There’s no getting around the fact that acne scars can make you feel less confident about your complexion. Long after your breakouts have healed, they can leave behind dark marks and an uneven texture. Now, you may or may not have heard of brightening patches that deliver niacinamide, tranexamic acid, and vitamin C to the skin. They can prove useful for this kind of issue, but the question is: Can they help with actual scarring?

Some people mix up acne scarring with post-acne marks, but they’re not the same. True scars change the skin’s texture, whereas post-acne marks (e.g. dark spots (PIH) and redness (PIE)) don’t. As such, brightening patches can help with the latter but not with the former.

That’s an important distinction to make because if you’re dealing with post-acne marks, the steps we’re about to cover will help fade them. On the other hand, if you’re dealing with real scarring, you might need to try a treatment like micro-needling or laser therapy.

Step 1 - Got Post-Acne Marks & Not Acne Scars? Start With Cleansing

Now that you’ve determined that you’ve got post-acne marks (and not acne scars), the first step in fading them is a thorough cleansing of the area with a gentle product. This will remove all bacteria, dirt and oil. After cleansing, you must ensure the area is nice and dry, so you should pat it with a towel (don’t rub), which means that the patch you’re using will have something to grab onto.

Step 2: Applying the Patch Correctly

The next step for you to take is to peel off the patch carefully and apply it to the area that needs attention. When using patches from companies like PanOxyl, you’ll find that they’re typically large, triangular and transparent, and you need to place the sticky side onto your skin and press down firmly to ensure that it’s fully in contact with the skin.

Step 3 - Leave it On for 6-8 Hours

The next part is quite easy, as you just have to wait the allotted time. In this case, it’s 6-8 hours, which is why many people choose to wear them overnight. This gives the active ingredients time to work their magic. After gently removing them, you should again cleanse the area to get rid of any residue.

Step 4: Follow Up with Hydration and Sun Protection

Naturally, you’ll want to be doing what you can to stop anything that’s going to cause any sort of hyperpigmentation. This is why you should be sure to wear sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) on a daily basis. You’ll be best off going for a non-comedogenic mineral sunscreen, as it’s acne-friendly and will give you UV protection without clogging your pores.

Brightening Patches Are For Post-Acne Marks, Not Acne Scars

Summing everything up, it’s important that you understand what brightening patches can do and what they can’t. They’re not going to have much of an effect on acne scarring, but that’s not what they’re designed to do. Where they excel is in dealing with post-acne marks and other types of hyperpigmentation.

When used as part of your acne care routine, they can be a real game-changer for getting rid of discoloration. Just remember that consistency and patience are key, as they won’t fade overnight. However, with regular application, they can give you the results you’re looking for.

Conclusion

In conclusion, brightening patches can help fade acne scars by delivering targeted ingredients like niacinamide, vitamin C, and tranexamic acid directly to the skin. While they can improve pigmentation and promote an even skin tone, results vary based on scar type and severity. For deeper scars, combining brightening patches with other treatments like chemical peels or laser therapy may be more effective. Consistency and patience are key, along with a good skincare routine to achieve the best results.