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how to remove acne scars naturally

Acne scars: How to Remove Older Ones Naturally

Acne scars are the permanent marks that remain after a pimple heals. They can be shallow or may go as deep as the next (subcutaneous) layer of skin.

Though many people believe that it affects only teenagers, so, how on earth do you explain your experience as an adult? 

Which is increasingly common and may have deeper scars than most teens’?

Have you been searching for a remedy for one or a few ugly scars? if yes, then read on, as this post will bring your search to an end.

This post is for moms and teens who find themselves struggling with harsh chemicals in order to banish ugly scars for good.

 

You will learn why scar removal is important, suggestions to remove these scars, and a guide for maintaining a scar-free skin

What is Acne?

Acne is defined as…

"a skin condition, characterized by red pimples on the skin, especially on the face, due to inflamed or infected oil glands and is common among teenagers"

how to manage acne and scars

It is a common skin condition and the outbreak can be embarrassing and may damage your self-esteem, but don’t let them hold you back from enjoying your life as there are a number of treatments for scarring.

What causes Acne?

Acne is caused by a change in the production of sebum (oil that your skin produces to keep itself lubricated)

When the (sebaceous) glands that produce oil become clogged, it causes a pimple to be formed under your skin.

This pimple is your body’s way of dealing with the blocked oil glands at that moment and when left alone, may take days or weeks for your body to process and clear itself out.

Although acne scars are a common problem, they don’t have to be permanent, and are caused by any or a combination of the following:

    • hormones
    • genetics
    • diet
    • certain types of medication
    • some harsh cosmetics

     

Why is it important to remove acne scars?

While acne itself is not permanent, it can leave serious scars on your skin if you do not treat it quickly.

A cystic acne is an advanced form of acne, and hard to find an effective cure for, hence, early treatment of your skin condition is a must.

These scars are the most difficult to remove and can make you feel uncomfortable about your appearance, how you feel about yourself, thereby affecting your self-image.

To feel comfortable in your own skin, acne scars need to be removed.

Skin care Guide

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Types of Acne scars:

The first step in using chemicals or any type of treatment for acne scars is to access the scar type, which can be classified as follows:

  1. ice-pick scars – deep, narrow holes with sharp edges that can be seen under the surface
  2. rolling scars – gradual dip or depression, wide, with rounded edges
  3. boxcar scars – wide, u-shaped scars with sharp edges, can be shallow or deep
  4. Hypertrophic/ raised scars – found commonly on the chest and back – caused by excess collagen during the healing
  5. dark spots – discoloration left behind by a pimple, goes away after a few months on their own
different types of acne

2 Ways to remove Acne scars

Acne scars are quite common, but will not disappear by themselves, but the good news is that there are effective treatments available.

(1) Chemical Treatments

Each method of artificial scar treatment has its pros and cons and works best for specific types of scarring, determined by your dermatologist.

Available scar removal chemical treatments include the following:-

  1. Oral antibiotics – antibiotics attack the bacteria present in the cysts, to reduce inflammation
    within eg- doxycycline, tetracycline
  2. Female oral contraceptives – the downside is may only be taken under supervision by a doctor for up to 5 months
  3. Corticosteroid injections – cysts are injected with steroids (by a medical practitioner only) to diminish swelling after a few days – has side effects during pregnancy
  4. Laser resurfacing – killing acne-causing bacteria with laser, this process takes up to an hour and the skin heals between 2 to 10 days
  5. Dermabrasion – done by certified dermatologists – is the removal of your skin’s top layer, using a machine
  6. Chemical peel procedure – the top layer of skin is removed using chemicals – there may be allergic reactions to these chemicals

(2) Natural Treatments / Home remedies

  • Hydration is key, as with other issues, as seen in this article…
  • Vitamin E
  • Rosehip seed oil
  • Nutrition
  • Rosewater & sandalwood combo
  • Oatmeal cleanser – rose water and oatmeal mixture
  • lotions and gels
  • lemon juice paste, honey mask, turmeric face packs, baking soda
  • Zinc – 25 – 50mg, 3 x a day
  • Aloe vera
  • Over-the-counter remedies – your local pharmacy may offer products containing – alpha-hydroxy acids, lactic acids, retinoids, and salicylic acid

How to Prevent Acne scars from forming

When it comes to acne, you are the best person in the world to know how your skin reacts to different cosmetics, conditions, and situations.

  1. The rule of thumb is to remove/ avoid anything that causes irritation around your face, hair/ hairstyles, which may be oily and leave the oil on your face; scarves or hats.
  2. Avoid touching your face with your hands as much as you can – hands are not sterile, so whenever you touch your face, you are transferring dirt and bacteria onto your skin, which blocks your pores and cause infection, leading to outbreaks
  3. If you are prone to breakouts, wash your face less frequently, with warm water & mild soap. Pat your face dry
  4. Do not prick any pimples – this causes more irritation and spreads the infection to other parts of your skin
  5. Minimize the use of cosmetics over the pimple
  6. Avoid oil-based products on your hair – as it may trickle down to your face when you sweat
  7. Ditch alcohol or oil-based facial cleansers/ wash
  8. Apply Sunscreen over scars – sun exposure darkens the scars more

To wrap things up

While there are many products and treatments in the market that claim to remove acne scars, they can often be expensive and provide limited results.

Some even contain harsh chemicals that damage your skin, creating an avenue for skin cancer, later on.

Luckily, it is possible to get rid of these ugly marks completely

In the end, it is your choice whether to opt for the natural way or any of the dermatological procedures in your attempt to remove scars.

By following the steps outlined in the guide, over time, scars on your face can usually be treated and cleared up, although a doctor’s/ dermatologist’s assistance is recommended in more severe cases.