Acne is not only embarrassing, but also painful. Acne is characterized by red pimples which occur on the faces of most young people. Even more embarrassing are the pimple marks and scars, which are left behind after those pimples have healed. Scars remind you of the pain you went through when you were battling the pimples.
However, it is important to keep in mind the fact that most scars on your face will fade in a few months. The pimple marks and acne scars should not make you feel helpless because there are a number of things you can do to get rid of acne scars. First, it is important that you know you're your type of skin.
Home remedies that reduce acne scars
Honey
Honey has been used for a long time to treat red pimples and acne. Honey is an effective anti-bacterial natural product. Always use raw honey as it is effective in getting rid of acne scars.
Aloe Vera
The aloe Vera sap can be used to treat many conditions including wounds, burns, and red pimples and many more. Aloe Vera is a natural moisturizer, which helps in rejuvenating the skin. The use of aloe vera sap speeds up the healing process of the acne scars. Simply apply this sap directly on the scars.
Lemon juice
Lemon juice has been proven to have bleaching properties, thus making it an effective remedy that can help you to get rid of acne scars. Take lemon juice and mix with an equal volume of water and apply the directly on the scars. Never apply the mixture to the rest of the skin. Leave the lemon juice on those scars for around twenty minutes before you clean it up. Never forget to moisturize the skin after washing the lemon juice. Lime juice can as well be used in place of lemon juice.
Medical treatment
Microdermabrasion and chemical peeling
These options are harsh on your skin and can take some time to heal. However, the methods are especially preferred if the creams and lotions are not working. In chemical peeling, a concentrated acid is applied to your skin where it eats away the top layer of the skin hence getting rid of acne scars. This allows the formation of a new skin layer, which does not have scars. In microdermabrasion, your skin is exfoliated by the use of a wire brush.
skin lightening creams
There are a number of over the counter creams that you can buy. These lightening creams contain ingredients like kojic acid, arbutin, licorice extracts, vitamin C and mulberry extracts. These products help a lot in fading the skin's hyperpigmentation that comes as a result of the acne scars.
Most of the skin lightening creams do not cause any form of skin damage or irritation. Remember to always avoid skin lightening products, which have hydroquinone as one among the ingredients. For those who have a dark skin, the use of skin lightening creams might not be a good idea as you skin might lose its capability to manufacture melanin thus leaving a blemish on your skin.
Retinoid skin products
These skin products have vitamin A derivatives that help to get rid of acne scars. The retinoid skin products are used to treat different skin complications including skin discoloration, acne, fine lines and wrinkles. These retinoid creams are well known in boosting collagen production that in turn promotes cell regeneration in a quick manner thus tackling the acne scars.
While these creams might be slightly expensive, they are more preferred by dermatologists because they are fast. The stronger retinoid creams are only available as prescription creams for getting rid of acne scars.
Laser treatment
If you have tried all the other methods and you have come to realize that you still have the scars, think about getting a laser therapy. Laser therapy will either work by stimulating collagen production or by vaporizing the scar thus giving the new skin cells a chance to grow in the scar's place.
Cortisone creams
Cortisone creams have been used for a long time to treat inflammation and also speed up the healing process. Your doctor should be in a position of guiding you on the cortisone cream that is best for your type of skin. This creams are available both as over the counter as well as prescription forms. Make sure you apply the recommended type of cream only on the area that is affected.
Fillers
In many cases, the acne scars will leave behind permanent indentations on the skin. The filler injections might be used to make your skin look even thus minimizing the effects of acne scars.