How to Clear Acne Macule Spots

Acne macule spots are the flat, reddish discolorations left behind after an acne lesion clears. Most acne macule spots are a result of a person poking at the pimple with her fingers and sometimes pins and needles in an attempt to "pop" the lesion. Picking at pimples will fingers or any other manner can aggravate the condition, leading to deeper infections and scarring. The good news is that there are a number of treatments to clear acne macule spots from your face and body.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Hydroquinone lotion
• Products containing licorice and koji extract
• Retin-A

1. Rub hydroquinone lotion onto the acne macule spots. Hydroquinone is a powerful skin bleaching agent that is used by dermatologists to fade acne scars, age spots and other types of discolorations, including ones caused by sun damage. The most powerful types of hydroquinone are available by prescription only. Ask your dermatologist for a prescription during your next visit.

2. Get a facial peel. An alpha hydroxy or beta hydroxy acid peel performed by a skin care professional is another way to clear acne macule spots. The acids absorb deep into the skin, peeling away the damaged upper layer and allowing healthy, spot-free skin to emerge.

3. Use skin lightening and brightening products with natural licorice extract and kojic acid. Licorice and kojic acid are herbal skin lighteners that help clear up acne macule spots and other discolorations on the skin with regular use. Try Mario Badescu's Whitening Mask and Murad's Acne Spot and Pigment Lightening Gel.

4. Try Retin-A, a prescription acne medication containing Retinol. Retinol is a resurfacing agent that, when applied topically, works to slough off the uppermost layers of skin containing the acne macule spots.

5. Get a microdermabrasion treatment. In this treatment, powerful crystals are used to clear all imperfections from the skin, including age and acne spots, blackheads and whiteheads and clogged pores. Depending on your condition, about six to eight treatments may be necessary to effectively clear all acne macule spots.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear sunblock--too much sun exposure can make acne scars become darker. Eat a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, such as tomatoes and blueberries, and drink lots of water to keep your skin cells healthy and able to fight off acne infections.

• Avoid smoking--tobacco depletes your skin's natural collagen reserves, making it more susceptible to acne scarring.

Resources

• Mario Badescu Whitening Mask
• Murad Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Gel