How to Cure Acne Scars

Acne scars can greatly alter anyone's appearance. While acne scars are more common on those who picked at their acne, they can occur on anyone who has ever had acne. The severity of the scars will largely depend on the acne that preceded them. Though they can occur on any part of the body, acne scars are most common on the face, back, shoulders, neck and chest. Thankfully, there are various treatment methods you can employ to help fade acne scars, thus significantly improving their appearance.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Sunscreen
• Fade cream
• Scar treatment ointment
• Hydroxy acids
• Dermatologist
• Chemical peels
• Laser treatments

1. Wear sunscreen daily to protect scarred skin from further damage. Any degree of sun exposure will damage your skin, even if you can't visibly see the damage. In order to expedite the healing process, you must keep skin protected from the sun's damaging rays.

2. Apply a fading or bleaching cream to your acne scars. Generally, acne scars are darker in color than your natural skin tone. With regular use, a bleaching or fading cream will lighten the scars, helping them to blend in with surrounding skin.

3. Use a scar treatment ointment on your acne scars. These ointments contain natural ingredients such as onion extract which have been shown to improve the appearance of scars. You must apply the ointment three times daily for at least two months in order to see results. Most scar treatment ointments work on both flat and raised acne scars.

4. Try lotions, serums and creams that contain hydroxy acids. These acids, found naturally in milk and sugar cane, aid in collagen production. They also help to remove old, damaged skin cells from the surface of your skin, helping your skin to look younger and more radiant.

5. Have a chemical peel performed on your acne scars. You can choose the strength of the chemicals used, ranging from light to heavy. The chemicals applied will react with the top layers of your skin, essentially burning and removing them. The skin below will be less damaged, and the acne scars lighter as a result. Most people require a series of peels, applied a few months apart, in order to see results.

6. Talk to your dermatologist about laser treatment for your acne scars. Lasers have been shown to be very effective at lightening acne scars. The laser will both target pigment in the acne scars and treat your skin in general. The pigment in the acne scars will be broken up and absorbed by the body's immune system, and your skin's top layers will be burned away, to reveal younger-looking skin below. Be aware that laser treatments are usually somewhat painful and expensive.

Tips & Warnings

• Consume fresh foods rich in antioxidants and nutrients. Your skin will look better when you nourish your body properly.

• Do not pick at your acne scars. You will only worsen them.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish