Everyone wants flawless skin and a glowing complexion. However, not everyone can have that. An especially pesky enemy to great skin are acne scars.
So, your acne is gone – great! But they almost always leave behind dark or brown spots that are even harder to get rid of than acne.
People usually go through numerous expensive products before they find the one that works just slightly better than the others. There are, of course, home remedies that don’t always work either.
This is precisely why we have created this complete guide on all of the most effective acne scar treatments. Read on to find out more.
Acne scar treatment DIY
Sometimes there is nothing better than a natural, homemade solution to various skin problems. Not only is it inexpensive and often mild, but it also helps your skin in more ways than one.
If you are looking for a perfect natural remedy for your acne scars, here are some DIY recipes to try:
- Lemon + Water
Lemon is a well-known remedy for many things. But the skin benefits the most from it. This is because it contains elements that can bleach and lighten your scars and it’s rich in vitamin C which can rebuild your collagen.
While you can rub the lemon directly to your skin and let it sit for 15 minutes before you rinse it off, it can seem wasteful. Also, a sensitive skin will not respond well to this.
Instead, juice a lemon and mix a bit of juice with a bit of warm water and rub it on your face. This is a process you can repeat daily. You can make a full bottle of it and keep it in your fridge so you can save up on the preparation process.
- Baking soda + Water
Another simple recipe with even simpler ingredients that you can find at home. Baking soda is an exfoliator that will gently scrub your face and liven up your skin without irritating it.
Mix a few teaspoons of baking soda with just a little water until it forms a thick paste. Massage it gently on your face with a focus on your scars and leave it on your skin until it dries. Then, rinse it off.
You should repeat this process two or three times a week
- Aloe Vera
This is not so much a recipe but it’s still a solid recommendation for anyone with acne scars.
Apply a bit of aloe vera onto your skin straight from the plant. It fits any skin and it will soothe it and keep it soft. Aloe vera plants are very easy to grow and nurture, so you can have it in your home no matter where you live.
If you don’t have aloe vera plants anywhere in your vicinity, look for the highest quality solution from your pharmacy. Apply it directly to the scars twice daily.
- Olive Oil + Coffee
This magical recipe is well-known for its effect on the scars. Olive oil is rich in vitamins B and antioxidants which coffee has too. All of this helps speed up the clearing of your acne.
Mix in a bit of olive oil and some ground coffee until you make a thick paste. Then massage it directly onto your scars and leave it on a skin for a bit for the maximum effect. Rinse it off with warm water. Apply this daily, every night or every morning.
You can also use olive oil alone by massaging it directly into the skin and leaving it overnight.
- Honey + Lemon Juice
Honey has been used for wounds for centuries and it’s just as effective at helping people with acne scars. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory elements which help with healing scars and dark marks as well as prevent acne. Manuka honey is the best version because it has greater antibacterial properties. While you can use it on your scars alone, it can be even better if you mix it with a bit of lemon juice.
When you make this mixture, massage it into your skin an leave it in as long as possible and then rinse it off. You can use this several times a week or every day if you have enough time.
- Fenugreek Seeds + Water
Fenugreek seeds might not be something that you are familiar with but it’s definitely effective in healing scars. All you have to do is boil the seeds in water and apply them to your sin when they cool down.
You can also apply a paste made from fenugreek leaves as a mask. You should leave it in for an hour before you wash it off.
- Apple Cider Vinegar + Water
As a natural disinfectant effective on acne scars, this amazing remedy can help you heal completely. It also removes dead skin cells and removes acne.
You make it by mixing one part apple cider vinegar and one part water. Use a cotton ball to apply it to the scars and leave in for ten minutes before washing off. Repeat daily.
Best drugstore acne scar treatment
Just like there are natural remedies, there are products that can help you heal when natural remedies won’t work. These contain all of the elements the natural healing remedies do but they are enhanced by helpful chemicals.
Here are some of the best products on the market that have been proven to help with acne scars:
Amaira Advanced Scar Vanishing Cream
Keeva Organics Clarifying Acne Face Wash
Exposed Skin Care Microderm Scrub
Bio Oil for Acne Scars
Dead Sea Mud Mask
Do all acne scars go away?
After you get rid of all of acne, you might not even get scars at all. This usually happens to people who have really great skin (besides the acne) or for those who don’t pick their acne. But since most people are young when they first get acne and they can’t resist picking them – hoping it would help – acne scars are quite common.
Everything regarding healing of your acne scars will depend on your genetics and how you deal with them.
Sometimes, using treatments will help a lot, sometimes it won’t help at all.
Some say that acne scars never really go away, only fading to fit in more with the skin color. This will make acne almost invisible to the eye but you will still be able to feel them when you touch your skin.
However, you can avoid having rough skin and dark scars by staying consistent with a regimen every morning and night. This will help you maintain skin health and softness.
How to get rid of acne scars naturally
If you are striving to find natural solution for your acne scars, you should know that there are some herbs and plants that can help you heal them.
These solutions are often highly effective because they contain natural elements which have an amazing effect on your skin – antioxidants, antibacterial properties, vitamins and so on.
Here are some of the most effective natural remedies for acne scars:
- Aloe vera
- Coconut oil
- Cucumber
- Honey
- Potato juice
- Rosehip seed oil
- Sugar scrub
- Vitamin E
Acne Scar laser removal
If you decide to have a treatment to remove your acne scars, you have several options. Consult a dermatologist and discuss these with them. They will probably suggest one of the following treatments:
Dermabrasion – an effective scar removal treatment where they use a fast brush to resurface your skin and reduce the depth of the scars. You will need a few days to heal afterwards.
Micro-dermabrasion – this is a less intensive method which uses a spray of micro crystals to remove surface skin. You might need several treatments but you don’t have to wait to heal.
Chemical Peels – these reduce the appearance of acne scars by applying a chemical to your skin to remove the outer layer and they give it a smoother appearance. There will be some redness and peeling for a few days after the procedure.
Retinoic acid – This is a cream which can be applied directly to the scar and thus reduce its appearance.
Lasers – These remove the outer layer of the skin while contouring the edges of your skin. You may need several treatments and several days to heal, depending on the type of laser.
Filler – This is a substance, likely collagen or hyaluronic acid that can fill out acne scars. You will have to repeat the treatment every few months but there is no need for a downtime.
Punch Excisions – This is a surgery where they cut out every individual acne scar and repair the spot with a skin graft or stitches.
Skin Grafting – This is a procedure where they insert a small piece of normal skin where your scar is.
Make sure that you speak to your doctor and check your acne scar type before you opt for a treatment.
How long does it take for acne scars to fade
For acne scars to fade, it can take anywhere from three to 24 months. The more extensive your treatments are and the more you take care of your skin, the better it will be and the sooner the scars will fade.
Acne scars are a serious issue that a lot of people are struggling with. However, they can fade or be removed completely. Make sure to use one of the treatments mentioned above – be it natural, product or surgical – wear sunscreen all the time and have a consistent regimen.
References
https://www.verywellhealth.com/post-inflammatory-hyperpigmentation-15606