Acne may not be debilitating for most who are afflicted, but it certainly has a way of depleting self-esteem.

Nearly everyone has a story about massive pimples erupting just before important events, prompting experimentation with all sorts of prescription, over-the-counter, and homeopathic remedies. 

In fact, the condition is so common, there is an entire industry devoted to treatment, and the size of that market is growing. In 2016, the acne care market was valued at 4.92 billion on a global scale, and projections show that figure will climb to 7.35 billion by 2025. 

The Bad News About Acne Flare Up

The bad news is that simply reducing the appearance of acne flare ups isn’t a complete solution. Often, the condition leaves behind scars that last a lifetime. Some are barely noticeable and easily concealed with makeup, but there are many cases in which the scarring visibly covers a large area. 

Individuals with any amount of scarring have an array of options for reducing or eliminating the bumps and dips that acne left behind.

Of course, some treatment methods are more dramatic than others. Those that prefer an alternative to chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing, fillers, and microneedling have found that there is a selection of natural remedies that can be effective. Lysine is one of the most frequently recommended, but the question is, does it actually work? 

What Causes Acne Scars? 

Acne occurs when skin pores are clogged with oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells. They become engorged, and the swelling leads to breaks in follicle walls. This creates the dreaded pimple.

Usually, the breaks are minor, and they heal completely within a few weeks, but that’s not always the case. Deep breaks allow infected material to leak into skin tissues, creating more serious lesions. 

Your body’s natural healing processes go to work on these lesions, repairing them by creating new collagen fibers. However, the new fibers tend not to be as smooth as the original skin.

When too much collagen is produced, acne scars have a raised appearance. This is referred to as hypertrophic or keloid scarring.

When the body doesn’t produce quite enough collagen to heal the lesion, the loss of tissue is visible as dips or holes in the skin’s surface. This condition is called atrophic or depressed scarring. 

Lysine: The Basics

There are 20 amino acids that you need for optimal health. They are the building blocks for protein, and they are responsible for production of critical hormones, enzymes, and immune cells.

Ten of the 20 are produced naturally in the body. The remaining ten come from your diet. Lysine falls in that category. 

A lot of research has been focused on how lysine affects the body, and the results are fascinating. In some studies, there is evidence that this amino acid can reduce feelings of anxiety, improve the absorption and retention of calcium, and promote the healing of wounds. 

Benefits of Lysine for Acne

For the purposes of preventing and healing acne, that last point is key. Lysine stimulates collagen production, reduces the likelihood of infection, and decreases healing time.

Most of the studies have explored the impact of lysine supplements taken internally, but a few looked at external applications with promising results. 

There is no direct evidence that lysine prevents or heals acne faster than other products, but based on the results of studies for other conditions, it makes good sense to include this critical amino acid in your overall plan for healthy skin. 

Keep in mind that skin cells are replenished every 10 to 30 days, so any dietary changes you make won’t have an instant effect. They will, however, contribute to the long-term health and appearance of your skin.

What is the Effect of Lysine on Acne Scars?

Because lysine promotes collagen production, it plays a role in healing all sorts of wounds. That includes the lesions that result from acne.

While the research is slim, it is possible that increasing the amount of lysine in your diet or using a topical cream may encourage collagen production where you have acne scars.

This is most effective on atrophic or depressed scarring – the sort that appears as dips or holes in your skin. 

What Dosage of Lysine is Recommended?

Standard nutrition guidelines encourage between 800 and 3,000 milligrams of lysine per day for a person who weighs 70 kilograms (approximately 155 pounds).

Another way to look at that recommendation is 12 milligrams of lysine for every kilogram of body weight, keeping in mind that one pound is equal to just under half a kilogram. 

You can get most of the recommended lysine from a balanced diet, including the following lysine-rich foods: 

•     Meat, fish, and other seafood
•     Dairy products like yogurt, milk, and cheese
•     Vegetables such as peppers, leeks, and potatoes
•     Certain fruits, including dried apricots, pears, and avocados
•     Legumes such as kidney beans, chickpeas, and soy
•     Seeds and nuts like cashews, pumpkin seeds, and macadamia nuts 

If you would like to try adding a lysine supplement, start with one gram daily.

You might also consider a topical gel that contains lysine if you are attempting to treat an active acne breakout or an existing scar, but check with your physician first. 

Risks and Side Effects of Lysine

For the most part, lysine is quite safe and few people experience side effects when consuming standard recommended dosages.

Some have reported digestive upsets at larger dosages in the range of 10 to 15 grams per day.

Actual toxicity from overuse of lysine is quite rare, but there have been reports of kidney issues, greater risk of gallstones, and increases in blood cholesterol levels.

Is Lysine Legal?

The amino acid lysine is not restricted by any regulation, though some concoctions that include lysine have been banned as unsafe.

What you should keep in mind is that dietary supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. That means no one should be making health claims about their lysine-related products. 

For your safety, be sure to purchase supplements from a reputable brand that voluntarily undergoes third-party testing for quality and purity. 

How Long Do the Effects of Lysine Last?

Your body’s need for lysine is on-going, and you can expect a decline in overall health if your diet is deficient in this amino acid for an extended period.

If you are increasing your lysine consumption or using topical creams for treating acne scars, any benefits you experience will last indefinitely.

Once repaired, your acne scars should not return. When lysine is used in preventative care or to reduce healing time for active acne breakouts, the benefits tend to last as long as you continue the supplements. 

If you plan to try lysine as a treatment for acne scars, there are a couple of pitfalls to avoid.

First, be aware that combining products intended to relieve active acne breakouts with those working to address acne scarring tends to reduce the effectiveness of both.

Second, new breakouts can lead to new scars, so it’s best to complete your treatment for the acne before attempting to resolve the scarring concerns. 

Finally, take standard precautions to protect your skin from further damage. Avoid too much sun exposure, as this can make acne scars appear more prominent, and remember to be gentle.

Scrubbing your face and picking at acne can make swelling and inflammation worse, which means more scars.