Final Up to date on October 4, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti
Your zits has lastly cleared up. Yay! Besides these pesky breakouts have left behind a little bit memento: darkish spots, purple marks, or zits scars that simply gained’t budge. Enter adapalene (a.ok.a. Differin). It’s a type of vitamin A (a retinoid) that’s generally used for the remedy of zits. It helps maintain pores clear, accelerates pores and skin cell turnover, and stops pimples of their tracks. Good for acne-prone pores and skin. However can it do something concerning the scars you’ve already received?
Sure, adapalene can assist enhance SOME zits scars, significantly shallow, indented ones. It might probably additionally assist fade these cussed darkish marks pimples go away behind. However earlier than you rush to purchase a tube, right here’s what adapalene can and may’t do for zits scars and how you can deal with widespread aspect results, like pores and skin irritation:
What Type Of Pimples Scars Can Adapalene Assist With?
The Web has an annoying behavior of calling all the pieces a pimple leaves behind an zits scar. However there’s a BIG distinction between a darkish spot and an precise scar. These pesky darkish spots? They’re simply additional pigment your pores and skin produces in response to irritation. Your pores and skin continues to be easy, it’s only a completely different color. Precise scars are one other story. When a pimple damages your pores and skin, your physique produces collagen to restore it. If it makes too little, you’re left with dents (a.ok.a. atrophic scars). If it makes an excessive amount of, you get raised bumps. And right here’s why this issues: fading a darkish spot is loads simpler than fixing a dent in your pores and skin. Right here’s what adapalene can (and may’t) do:
| What you’re seeing | Can adapalene assist? |
|---|---|
| Brown or darkish spots: Flat marks left behind by pimples (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation). | Sure. Prescription retinoids like adapalene assist fade pigmentation and even out pores and skin tone. |
| Pink or pink marks: Flat patches of lingering redness. | Possibly, not directly. Adapalene treats zits, however there’s little proof it straight fades persistent redness. |
| Shallow, indented scars (atrophic scarring): Small depressions in your pores and skin. | Probably. Analysis utilizing 0.3% adapalene has proven enhancements within the look of depressed zits scars. |
| Deep ice-pick, boxcar, or rolling scars: Noticeable pits and dents in your pores and skin. | Don’t count on miracles. Adapalene might enhance look of zits scars, but it surely gained’t fully fill in deep scars. |
| Raised scars or keloids: Agency, elevated bumps attributable to extra collagen. | No. Adapalene isn’t an efficient remedy for these scars. |
Unsure which kind you’ve received? The American Academy of Dermatology’s information to zits scar varieties has photos that may allow you to inform the distinction.
Does Adapalene Actually Work For Pimples Scars? What The Research Say
You already know adapalene can eliminate pimples. However can it truly do one thing concerning the scars they’ve left behind? Let’s see. In a 2018 research on the remedy of atrophic zits scars, 20 folks with depressed zits scars used adapalene 0.3% for twenty-four weeks. The outcomes? After six months of remedy, 50% of contributors confirmed enhancements in pores and skin texture and scarring. Not dangerous for a topical remedy! However earlier than you get too excited, this was a small research with no management group. Promising? Sure. Definitive proof that adapalene removes all zits scars? Not fairly.
One other 2018 research examined adapalene 0.3% mixed with benzoyl peroxide 2.5% (a typical zits remedy ) on 67 folks with zits scars. After six months, depressed scars had decreased by 15.5% on the handled aspect of the face and elevated by 14.4% on the placebo-treated aspect. The catch? These research used adapalene AND benzoyl peroxide collectively, so we are able to’t give adapalene all of the credit score. Plus, a number of the enchancment got here from stopping new scars.
However What About Differin 0.1%?
Right here’s the place issues get difficult. All of the research I’ve simply talked about used adapalene 0.3%, not the 0.1% power generally bought as Differin. Does the decrease focus work on zits scars, too? We don’t know but. My recommendation? When you’re already utilizing Differin gel to deal with zits, keep it up. With constant use, it’s an efficient possibility for decreasing zits lesions (a elaborate time period for pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads). And the less pimples you get, the less new scars you’ll must cope with.
However for those who’re considering of shopping for Differin particularly to eliminate outdated, pitted zits scars, I’d save my cash. There’s not sufficient proof that the 0.1% focus can do the job. And utilizing extra of it gained’t make it as sturdy as 0.3%. It’ll simply irritate your pores and skin. And albeit, for those who’ve received deep pits and dents, no retinoid alone goes to make them disappear.
How To Use Adapalene For Finest Outcomes
Need to give adapalene a attempt? Right here’s how you can get essentially the most out of it with out turning your face right into a dry, flaky mess:
- Begin slowly: When you’ve received delicate pores and skin otherwise you’re new to retinoids, don’t leap straight into utilizing adapalene each evening. Begin one or two nights every week and step by step improve the frequency as your pores and skin will get used to it. How rapidly you possibly can improve the frequency is determined by your pores and skin sort and the way effectively your pores and skin tolerates it. There’s no prize for reaching day by day use first.
- Much less is extra: Wash your face with a mild cleanser, let your pores and skin dry, and apply a skinny layer of adapalene to scrub, dry pores and skin, normally at evening, following your product’s directions. Differin is designed to be used on acne-prone areas, not simply particular person pimples or scars. Don’t pile additional gel onto particular person scars, considering it’ll make them disappear quicker. It gained’t. You’ll simply irritate your pores and skin.
- Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise: Adapalene could cause dryness, peeling, and irritation, particularly whenever you’re beginning out. A moisturiser with hyaluronic acid can assist maintain your pores and skin hydrated, make dryness simpler to cope with, and help your pores and skin barrier.
- Don’t skip sunscreen: UV publicity makes each pores and skin situation worse. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or increased each morning. Sure, even when it’s cloudy.
- Go straightforward on exfoliation: Your pores and skin doesn’t want adapalene, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and a scrub all in the identical night. Extra isn’t higher. In case your pores and skin is already irritated, piling on extra energetic substances will solely make issues worse. In reality, cease exfoliating fully. Don’t even use a benzoyl peroxide gel, until your physician tells you in any other case. You don’t need to repair zits by destroying your pores and skin within the course of.
One essential warning: Don’t use adapalene for those who’re pregnant or planning to develop into pregnant. Retinoids could cause delivery defects in rats, so dermatologists don’t advocate utilizing them throughout this treasured time of your life.
What Works Higher Than Adapalene For Deep Pimples Scars?
Bought deep zits scars that refuse to budge? I hate to interrupt it to you, however there’s solely a lot topical remedies like adapalene can do for deep zits scarring. It could assist your pores and skin make extra collagen, however it could possibly’t bodily elevate a scar that’s caught to the tissue beneath. Fortunately, a great board-certified dermatologist has entry to different choices. Right here’s what could be included in your remedy plan:
1. Microneedling: Ever puzzled why anybody would willingly stick a whole lot of tiny needles into their face? As a result of these tiny accidents trick your pores and skin into repairing itself. Because it heals, it makes new collagen that helps fill in a few of these pesky dents. Not like adapalene, microneedling reaches deeper into the pores and skin, the place the harm is. Analysis reveals it could possibly enhance depressed zits scars, significantly shallower ones. I’ve written a great about microneedling for zits scars right here.
2. Laser resurfacing: In case your pores and skin appears to be like just like the floor of the moon, laser resurfacing might assist easy issues out. It makes use of laser vitality to take away or warmth broken pores and skin, stimulating collagen manufacturing as your pores and skin heals. It’s a extra intensive remedy than adapalene or topical retinoids and may enhance deeper scars, too. The catch? Some lasers require appreciable downtime and may trigger darkish spots, particularly on darker pores and skin tones.
3. Subcision: Some scars aren’t simply lacking collagen. They’re truly being pulled down by bands of scar tissue beneath your pores and skin. No quantity of adapalene goes to interrupt these bands! However a dermatologist can insert a needle beneath the scar and minimize them, permitting the pores and skin to rise. That’s why subcision is especially efficient for rolling zits scars, those that give your pores and skin that wavy look.
4. TCA CROSS: Bought these tiny, deep holes referred to as ice-pick scars? They’re notoriously tough to deal with as a result of the harm goes so deep. With TCA CROSS, a dermatologist applies Trichloroacetic acid straight inside every scar. This creates a managed harm that encourages your pores and skin to make new collagen, step by step making the outlet shallower. Research present it could possibly enhance ice-pick scars, one thing adapalene alone struggles to do. And no, your bottle of glycolic acid isn’t a DIY substitute. Please go away this one to the professionals.
So, which remedy do you have to select? It is determined by your scars. Microneedling may match effectively for shallow dents, whereas rolling scars usually want subcision to launch the pores and skin beneath. Ice-pick scars? TCA CROSS could also be a greater wager. And for those who’ve received a number of sorts of scars, you could want a mix of remedies. Your pores and skin tone issues, too. Some procedures can set off hyperpigmentation, so discover a dermatologist that is aware of what he’s doing.
FAQs
Does Adapalene Assist With Outdated Pimples Scars?
Sure, it could possibly! Even when these pesky scars have been hanging round for years. In one research, adapalene 0.3% improved the looks of zits scars that have been, on common, 19 years outdated! The catch? It really works finest on shallow, depressed scars. When you’ve received deep pits and dents, adapalene might make them much less noticeable, but it surely gained’t erase them fully.
Can Adapalene Make Pimples Scars Worse?
Adapalene gained’t usually make current pitted scars deeper, however it CAN make these pesky darkish zits marks worse if it irritates your pores and skin. Why? As a result of irritation causes irritation, which might set off your pores and skin to supply much more pigment, particularly in darker pores and skin tones. Yep, the very factor you’re making an attempt to eliminate! The answer? Begin slowly, maintain your pores and skin moisturised, and don’t pile on extra adapalene considering it’ll work quicker. Extra irritation doesn’t imply higher outcomes.
What Are The Indicators Of An Allergic Response To Adapalene?
A bit dryness, peeling, and redness whenever you first begin utilizing adapalene? Fairly widespread. However swelling, hives, or extreme irritation? That’s one other story. These might be indicators of an allergic response, NOT simply your pores and skin getting used to retinoids. Cease utilizing adapalene and search medical recommendation. And in case your face, lips, or throat immediately swell, or you will have bother respiration, get emergency medical consideration instantly. Don’t wait to your pores and skin to settle down by itself.
The Backside Line
Can adapalene assist with zits scars? Sure, but it surely is determined by what sort of scars you’ve received. When you’re nonetheless battling pimples and the darkish spots they go away behind, adapalene can assist with each. It could even make shallow scars much less noticeable, though the strongest analysis is on the 0.3% focus, not your regular Differin 0.1%. However for those who’ve received deep holes and dents in your pores and skin, don’t waste your time anticipating a cream to fill them in. You’re higher off seeing a dermatologist about skilled remedies that may truly sort out the harm.
