How To Get Rid Of Acne Scars: 5 Amazing Home Remedies
Acne is a skin condition that causes spots, pimples and redness on the face. It can be quite frustrating for people to deal with acne scars, which are difficult to remove without professional help. In this article youll find out how five remedies at your home can help ease some of the pain caused by these unwanted marks
Acne scars are a common problem for many people. They can be caused by acne, injury, or other factors. These home remedies will help you get rid of your acne scars from the comfort of your own home. Read also: how to get rid of acne scars.
Contents
How To Prevent Acne Scars
The best prevention for acne scarring is to optimize acne treatment with a good skin-care routine, a healthy diet, and an appropriate treatment regimen, says Shah.
Since reducing skin inflammation can lessen scars, dont ignore an acne problem even if its mild.
You should treat acne with over-the-counter creams or facial washes containing active acne-fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. If these dont work, see a board-certified dermatologist, the Mayo Clinic advises.
Regular use of a topical retinoid like tretinoin, adapalene, or tazarotene has been shown to both prevent and reduce the appearance of acne scars, and these are commonly prescribed by a dermatologist as part of an acne skin-care regimen, says Shah.
Prevention also involves being gentle with your skin and avoiding practices that could irritate your skin and exacerbate inflammation.
Dont pick at your acne, and avoid using any skin-care products that are abrasive, like scrubs and loofahs or washcloths, warns Shah. She also encourages daily sunscreen use to reduce hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
Apply Green Tea To Your Skin
Green tea is very high in antioxidants, and drinking it can promote good health.
It may also help reduce acne. This is likely because the polyphenols in green tea help fight bacteria and reduce inflammation, which are two main causes of acne .
There isnt much research exploring the benefits of drinking green tea when it comes to acne, and more studies are needed.
In one small study with 80 women, participants took 1,500 mg of green tea extract daily for 4 weeks. By the end of the study, women who took the extract had less acne on their noses, chins, and around their mouths .
Research has also found that drinking green tea may lower blood sugar and insulin levels, which are factors that can contribute to the development of acne .
Many studies also indicate that applying green tea directly to the skin may help with acne.
Research shows that the main antioxidant in green tea epigallocatechin-3-gallate reduces sebum production, fights inflammation, and inhibits the growth of P. acnes in individuals with acne-prone skin .
Multiple studies have found that applying green tea extract to the skin significantly reduces sebum production and pimples in those with acne .
You can buy creams and lotions that contain green tea, but its just as easy to make your own mixture at home.
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Other Medical Treatments To Get Clear Skin
The medical methods you should opt to treat your skin issues mainly depend on your skin type. Thus, it is essential to consult a dermatologist before taking any medical assistance to get clear skin.
Due to technological advancement, medical procedures to treat your acne problem have improved. Medical procedures like laser treatment or chemical peels can help you to get rid of stubborn acne. At present, there are many available medical procedures to treat your skin problems within a short time where you dont have to lose your patience or wait for uncountable days to fix your acne scars or pimple problems.
Laser / Light Therapy
Laser Treatment for acne scars tends to minimize the appearance of scars. Before going forward with the procedure, your doctor will let you undergo a pre-medication process to make your skin more adaptable to the light before application.
Benefits
- Makes your skin look younger
- It prevents it from getting damaged
- Nourishes your skin
Chemical Treatment / Chemical Peel
If you go for a chemical peel, your dermatologist will first apply a mild solution to your skin. This treatment is gaining popularity over the years for its ability to reduce fine lines, scars, or skin damages, and most importantly, it tends to nullify dead skin cells and generate nourishing skin.
Benefits
- Reduces the size of large pores
Tea Tree Oil + Aloe Vera
Tea tree oil/aloe vera gel/organic aloe vera gel
This is one of the greatest and my favorite duos. Aloe vera gel is one of my favorite cosmetic products because of its several advantages, including combating acne, calming irritated skin, and removing dark spots and acne blemishes. It includes polysaccharides and gibberellins, which aid to increase the skins healing capacity and level out your complexion, while the antioxidant qualities help to repair damaged skin cells and stimulate collagen synthesis.
And who doesnt appreciate the benefits of tea tree oil? It is, after all, one of the top Ph.D. holders in the field of acne treatment. It has antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial qualities that may help prevent acne and treat inflammatory acne in as little as two nights.
Now, aloe vera gel alone may assist with acne and its scars, but when combined with tea tree oil, the combination can help protect the skin against more severe pimples that can lead to acne scarring. Also, dont try using tea tree oil on its own. Although you may not notice immediate effects, it is quite powerful and drying to your skin over time.
What is the best way to utilize it? Combine 2-3 drops of Tea Tree oil with half a spoon of aloe vera gel and apply the mixture to a clean face as a spot therapy. If you wish to, leave it overnight or for at least 30-60 minutes. If you have access to an aloe vera plant, fresh aloe vera gel is preferable.
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Hypertrophic Scars And Keloids
Poonsak Pornnatwuttikul/Alamy Natallia Mikulich/Shutterstock
Some types of acne leave scars that appear as enlarged, raised growths of tissue. These acne scars are caused by too much scar tissue. Hypertrophic scars and keloids look similar, but the latter are more raised than the former.
More on Managing Acne
Failing To Treat Acne As Soon As Possible
The first step is to treat acne as soon as you see it. Start with these DIY acne remedies to get rid of them quickly, but if they dont seem to be working, see your doctor right away. Preventing acne in the first place helps with acne scars because it prevents acne from becoming severe and leaving larger, darker scars.
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Dos & Don’t To Avoid Acne Scarring
- Do not pop or squeeze acne spots – resist the urge at all costs no matter how juicy or ripe a pesky breakout looks. Touching the area can help spread bacteria and dirt across your face, which can lead to infection.
- Do use sunscreen to limit harsh sun exposure – even in the UK. UV exposure causes spots to darken so incorporating a daily moisturiser with SPF is an easy way to protect your skin. Products like Simple Kind to Skin+ Protecting Moisture Cream or more sensitive skin like Ambre Solaire’s are perfect for everyday use.
- Do try and use chemical free products where possible, natural ingredients like vitamin C aids inflammation and fades patches, so products like Viola Skin Vitamin C Serum are great to use regularly.
- Do go to a specialist and get regular facials. Talking to a dermatologist about your skin, can provide a wealth of advice if you’re at your wits end. Professional treatments such as Intense Pulsed Light Microdermabrasion are expert ways to reduce scars and wrinkles over time.
- Do drink plenty of water – it is one of the easiest and most effective ways to flush toxins out of your body and leave you with clearer skin. And it is free.
Read More
How To Get Rid Of Acne Scars Fast
Mild acne scarring can stick around for months if left but with the right ingredients and treatments, you can speed this process up to a couple weeks or even a few days. Its a good idea to start treating acne scars as soon as possible, the longer you leave them, the harder it is to get rid of acne scars. Thats why weve suggested using the products listed above, which contain Vitamin C, Alpha Hydroxy Acids and Retinol.
Severe acne scarring and pitted scars tend to be permanent unless you opt for in-clinic treatments. Some of these procedures weve suggested, which include microdermabrasion, chemical peels and micro-needling, can help to get ride of acne scars quickly, while others can also take weeks or months for you to see improvement.
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Not Using A Proper Cleanser On The Face
The most critical step in your skincare program is cleansing your face. One of the most important jobs is to get the proper cleanser for your skin. So, if you have acne or scars, a salicylic acid face cleanser is definitely the best option. This is a fantastic one that I swear by and would definitely suggest.
Dermatological Procedures To Improve Or Remove Acne Scars
But while certain measures can help prevent new scarring, what are your options for minimizing the appearance of existing scars?
Common procedures to remove or improve acne scars include:
Dermabrasion This effective scar removal treatment uses a high-speed brush or other instrument to resurface your skin and remove or reduce the depth of scars. It can take up to three weeks for skin to heal.
Microdermabrasion For this less-intensive type of dermabrasion, a dermatologist or aesthetician uses a handheld device to remove surface skin. More than one treatment may be required, but theres no downtime, according to the AAD.
Chemical peel During a chemical peel, a chemical solution is applied to the skin. It removes the outer layer of your skin, resulting in a smoother, more even appearance. You may experience redness and peeling for three to seven days after the procedure, notes the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery .
Laser Your dermatologist can use a laser resurfacing treatment to remove the outer layer of your skin, contour areas of acne scars, or lighten redness around healed acne lesions. Healing may take between 3 and 10 days.
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Take A Fish Oil Supplement
Omega-3 fatty acids are healthy fats that offer a multitude of health benefits.
You must get these fats from your diet, but research shows that most people who eat a standard Western diet dont get enough of them .
Fish oils contain two main types of omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid .
High levels of EPA and DHA have been shown to decrease inflammatory factors, which may reduce the risk of acne .
In one study, 45 individuals with acne were given omega-3 fatty acid supplements containing both EPA and DHA daily. After 10 weeks, their acne decreased significantly .
Theres no specific recommended daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids. The 20152020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that healthy adults consume around 250 mg of combined EPA and DHA each day .
You can also get omega-3 fatty acids by eating salmon, sardines, anchovies, walnuts, chia seeds, and ground flax seeds.
Learn more about fish oil supplements.
Summary
Fish oils contain two main types of omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. Taking a fish oil supplement may help decrease acne.
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While these results indicate that exfoliation may improve skin health and appearance, more research is needed on acne.
There are a wide variety of exfoliation products available, but you can also make a scrub at home using sugar or salt.
If you choose to try mechanical exfoliation, be sure to gently rub your skin to avoid damaging it.
How Fast Can You Fade Acne Scars
Acne scars take different levels of time to fade away depending on the length of time you’ve had them and the scars’ type and severity. In addition, older scars take longer to remove than newer ones. However, it is crucial to wait until all the acne lesions have fully healed before attempting treatment procedures.
Atrophic acne scars need professional procedures to get rid of this may take more time, especially if you had severe acne. You can achieve full results over few months to one year. However, if you want faster results, you may opt for surgical procedures.
On the other hand, Hypertrophic scars may need several procedures spread over months or one surgical procedure to treat them.
PIH may fade on its own within 3-24 months. But with treatment, it may take a few days to a few months depending on its darkness compared to your skin color.
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Types Of Pitted Acne Scars
The three types of pitted acne scars are: rolling, boxcar and ice pick
Pitted acne scars consist of three different types:
What Are Deep
Deep pitted acne scars, also known as atrophic scars, are usually the result of severe acne. They generally appear due to the loss of tissue during cell regeneration that eventually leaves behind a skin that has a pitted appearance. They look sunken and depressed with indentations or holes compared to the surrounding skin and are usually challenging to treat. Since they adversely affect the skin texture, they become a significant aesthetic concern for people who have acne-prone skin. If you have severe acne here are some signs and symptoms of deep-pitted scars you may observe.
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How To Use It
Its important to note that applying apple cider vinegar to your skin can cause burns and irritation. If you choose to try it, use it in small amounts and dilute it with water.
Summary
The organic acids in apple cider vinegar may help kill acne-causing bacteria and reduce the appearance of scars. Applying it to the skin may cause burns or irritation, so it should be used carefully.
Zinc is an essential nutrient thats important for cell growth, hormone production, metabolism, and immune function.
Its relatively well studied compared with other natural treatments for acne.
Research indicates that people with acne tend to have lower levels of zinc in their blood than those with clear skin .
Several studies have also shown that taking zinc orally may help reduce acne.
For example, a 2014 review found that zinc is more effective at treating severe and inflammatory acne than treating moderate acne .
The optimal dosage of zinc for acne has not been established, but several older studies have observed a significant reduction in acne using 3045 mg of elemental zinc per day .
Elemental zinc refers to the amount of zinc thats present in the compound. Zinc is available in many forms, and they contain varying amounts of elemental zinc.
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A Light Chemical Peels
You can use this method to treat PIH and get full results after about 48 hours. It treats the dark spots using alpha-hydroxy acids and beta-hydroxy acids like mandelic, glycolic, or salicylic acid. These acids work by dissolving the substance that holds dead skin cells together, hence revealing fresher skin.
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Acne Scar Treatment No: Exo Needling
Microneedling on it’s own isn’t effective enough to get rid of acne scarring but combining it into a treatment does do the trick.
‘Exo Needling is a combination of deep microneedling with simultaneous Exo infusion. Exo is a serum exceptionally high in growth factors, derived from the patients own blood ‘, explains Dr Williams.
Might sound a bit Twilight-esque but PRP works to promote collagen and elastin production, key players in keeping skin it’s glow-y best self.
Acne Scar Treatment No: Radiofrequency With Microneedling Treatment
This powerful combination is designed to rebuild collagen and elastin using pulses of light energy from radio waves with microscopic needles that gentle puncture skin to help fill the indentation acne scars tend to leave behind.
The idea is to leave skin looking brighter and firmer with scars looking smaller and lighter in colour, whilst skin texture is left touchably smoother.
Unlike with IPL, this can work no matter what your skin tone and has minimal downtime, with redness only sticking around for an hour or two after.
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