How to get rid of Acne Scars?

Acne is quite common and easily treatable, but often people get frustrated and depressed because of the scars it leaves behind.

Actually, getting rid of acne scars is bit tougher than treating the acne itself, because acne scars are little stubborn and they don’t vanish easily.

Getting rid of scars is not something that happens overnight and for which regular efforts and skin care is necessary.

What causes the acne scar?

Acne arises due to some sort of skin damage. Once the healing process of acne starts, the body creates new skin cells and collagen fibres for repairing damaged skin.

Collagen is a protein substance that holds the whole body together and it also gives support to the skin.

During the healing process of acne, our body produces certain amount of collagen to repair damaged skin. If the body produces very little or too much of collagen it leads to a scar.

The type and darkness of the scar entirely depends on the amount of collagen produced.

Types of scars

Before knowing the methods to treat scars, we must be aware of the types of scar produced.

Depressed acne scars: If body produces very little collagen, depression type scars are formed. These are the most common type of scars that result from acne.

Raised skin scars: If your body produces too much collagen, raised acne scars are formed. This type of scars are less common in acne patients than the development of depressed scars.

Preventing acne scars

Although there are various method available to treat acne scars, prevention is better than cure. It is not necessary to get scars even if you are affected by acne.

Don’t play with your acne and keep your hands away from it.

When you get acne, there is intense inflammation on your facial skin and there is loss of collagen.

Collagen is the protein fibre and it is also one of the most important components of skin which provides elasticity to the skin.

When you pick or squeeze your pimples, it leads to further inflammation and injury to your skin.

It also leads the bacteria to go deep down into your skin resulting in more loss of collagen which means even deeper scars on your face.

Avoid exposing the scar to sun

Naturally, our body is capable of healing scars and they will get lighter as time progresses, but exposing them to sun slows down the healing process and makes the scar much more darker.

Try to stay out of the sun or wear sunscreen. The scars will fade sooner than later.

Natural home remedies to treat acne scar

There are various natural and home remedies for dealing with acne scars. Let’s discuss them one by one.

Lemon juice

Lemon is packed with many nutrients, so it is used to treat numerous skin disorders. It is one of the most natural and inexpensive ingredients used to treat acne scar and it is also one of the most natural bleaching agents.

Citrus acid in lemon helps in the synthesis of collagen in the body and it is an excellent skin lightening and toning agent.

How to use Lemon Juice to cure acne scars?

Lemon and honey mask to remove scar

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera has shown miraculous effects on acne prone skin. Aloe Vera gel can be directly extracted from the plant and applied to scar.

Olive oil

Olive oil contains lot of vitamins and anti oxidants. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of olive oil helps to remove acne scars.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is utilized to treat numerous health and skin issues. It works as an anti-inflammatory and speeds up the healing process.

Tea tree oil hydrates the skin and is thus extremely effective in treating acne scars.

Turmeric powder and Mint

As we all know, turmeric powder is an excellent antiseptic substance and also has various medicinal properties which will help the scars to fade and soothe the irritated skin.

Vitamin-A in mint leaves acts as a natural agent for scar removal and the external application of crushed mint leaves can lighten the acne scar.

Potatoes

Apart from being used as a healthy food, potatoes are also a natural skin lightening agent. They are rich in vitamin-C which is essential for skin care.

We can also apply a mixture of lemon and potato juice to lighten your scar naturally, faster.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is the well known remedy for acne. It scrapes off the dead skin cells and so fades away the acne scars to a great extent.

Cocoa Butter

Cocoa Butter will soften skin, lighten the scars and make them fade into nothing. By the way, Cocoa Butter also works great on fading stretch marks.

These natural treatments for removal of acne scar requires patience and regular efforts.

Other treatments to remove acne scars

Spot treatment

Apply a spot treatment cream that contains salicylic acid, benzyl peroxide or sulphur. This will help to lighten the scar and improves skin tone.

Use Exfoliant

Use a good exfoliant to get rid of scars and choose one with salicylic acid or lactic acid; this will help the damaged skin to repair quickly and provides new skin growth.

Skin brightening products

Use products with vitamin A and vitamin C.

Retinoid

The biggest breakthrough in acne scar treatment has been the development of retinoic acid, a form of vitamin A. Retinoid is used to build collagen and thus removes acne scar.

Consult dermatologists before applying retinoid.

Laser and Filler Treatments

If your acne scars don’t fade away by the above mentioned remedies, it may be time to consider booking an appointment with your dermatologist.

Laser skin resurfacing  is a type of laser technology  used to increase the formation of new skin tissues. Collagen is a protein building block of the skin and it can help to fill acne scars.

Types of laser treatment

There are two types of laser treatments

Ablative lasers vaporize the scar and allow softer and smoother skin to take its place.

Non-ablative lasers help activate the production of collagen without damaging the surface of your skin.

Filler Injections

Filler is a temporary way to fill in depressed scars. But the drawback of using fillers is that they need to be repeated every 4 to 6 months, as the product reabsorbs into the skin over the time.

Treating and removing acne scars requires patience and prolonged effort.

Good luck with your efforts.