Does Bio-Oil Work on Acne Scars?
The majority of Americans have experienced acne breakouts at some point during their lives. When those acne breakouts heal, you're left with unsightly acne scars that you'd like to erase from your skin. Several medical companies have developed treatments that strive to remove acne scars for good. One of these treatments is known as Bio-Oil. Does this Spark an idea?
-
What Is Bio-Oil?
-
Bio-Oil was developed in 1986 after years of research by the German cosmetic scientist Dieter Beier. He set to develop a skin care product that was oil-based and kept out oxygen but left moisture and vitamins on the skin. He created a formula to do just that while also treating and eliminating all different types of scars and evening out discolored skin.
Part of Bio-Oil's effectiveness comes from its primary ingredient, PurCellin Oil. This oil was created by Beier in his lab and is meant to replicate the effects of the preen gland, found in ducks. The preen gland secretes an oil and distributes it all over a duck's body, creating a non-greasy layer on the duck's features, allowing it to repel water and swim effectively.
Bio Oil and Acne Scars
-
Bio-Oil helps acne scars by reducing their redness and appearance when used over time. However, Bio-Oil can only improve scar appearance, not eliminate it entirely. To test its effectiveness, The Photobiology Laboratory of the Medical University of South Africa conducted a clinical trial in late 2005. In this test, 24 panelists with different forms of scars were asked to use Bio-Oil on a twice-daily basis. After the clinical trial was over, 65 percent of panelists reported vast improvement of their scars within a four-week period. This is a positive finding for those hoping to improve their acne scars with the help of Bio-Oil.
-
Recommended Usage
-
For maximum effectiveness, Bio-Oil should be massaged into the skin in a circular motion twice daily. It's important to note that improvement will take some time, so you should commit to using Bio-Oil for at least three months. Bio-Oil users with younger scars tend to see the best improvements in their scars in the shortest period of time. However, users with older scars have reported great improvements in their scars' appearance over time.
It's also important to note that Bio-Oil should never be used on broken skin. If your scar is fresh, wait until it is done healing before applying Bio-Oil.
Other Treatments
-
See your dermatologist if you're wary about using Bio-Oil or if Bio-Oil doesn't work for your acne scars. Your dermatologist can evaluate your skin and determine the best course of treatment in healing your particular acne scars. Some of the latest medical procedures known to help improve the appearance of acne scars include microdermabrasion, dermabrasion and laser resurfacing. Your dermatologist can also prescribe topical creams that use ingredients known to improve acne scars, such as alpha hydroxy acids and Retin-A.
Prevention
-
You can't always prevent acne breakouts. However, you can be proactive in the fight against acne by utilizing a daily skin care routine that includes a medicated cleanser, toner and moisturizer. Daily use of topical acne treatments containing active ingredients like salicylic acid and benzyl peroxide also work to heal pimples quickly and prevent new ones from forming.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit http://www.agenolonger.com/lg_images/Bio_Oil__125ml.jpg
Comments
-
I am using bio oil on my uneven and old scars and its really working.
