Acne scars make an unwelcome appearance when acne gets popped or broken, leaving behind a layer of damaged skin. Thankfully, however, there are many different things you can do at home to help get rid of these scars. In general, look for natural treatments that reduce inflammation and exfoliate dead skin cells. Here are a few of the most common techniques and tricks used to get rid of acne scars at home.
Acne can be a painful and embarrassing skin condition, and the scars it leaves behind are an unwelcome reminder of that. While most acne scars will fade on their own after several months, there are certain things you can do to help speed up the process and avoid further hyper pigmentation. Realistically, you will not be able to make acne scars disappear in a single night, but the remedies, products, treatments, and skincare tips outlined below will certainly produce a noticeable difference over time. You just need to find the right method for your individual skin type.
*Reducing Inflammation and Protecting the Skin:
Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties, and when applied to an acne scar, it can cause the redness of that scar to fade away.
Obtaining aloe gel directly from the aloe plant is ideal. Sever a leaf from the plant, wash it, and peel away the spiny outer layer until you reach the gel inside. Apply this gel directly to the acne scars twice daily, leaving it on for roughly 30 minutes before washing it off with water.
In the absence of an actual aloe plant, you can use store-bought aloe vera cream or gel.
2)Apply cucumber products:
Cucumbers have a high water content, which allow the vegetable to hydrate the skin and soothe inflammation associated with acne scars.
Take a fresh cucumber and cut off a few slices. Place a slice directly over your acne scar and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes. Gently rinse the skin with clear water afterward.
Repeat this remedy once a day.
3)Try an oil treatment.
Oil treatments can lock in moisture and help loosen the skin. As a result, your skin is able to naturally rejuvenate and revive.
Olive oil is the generally the most favored option, but coconut oil and lavender oil are good options, as well.
Warm the only slightly and dab it directly onto the acne scar. Make sure that the oil is only a little warm, though, and not hot, since hot oil can cause severe damage.
The oil should be about as warm as your body temperature. If using coconut oil, which is usually a solid at room temperature, just place a little in your palm and rub your hands together to get the oil to a liquid state.
Fill a small wooden dish with a tiny puddle of rosewater and rub a piece of sandalwood inside the dish. Continue rubbing until enough sandalwood gets into the rosewater, forming a paste. Apply the paste to your acne scars and let sit for 60 minutes or overnight, after which you should rinse it off with cool water.
Alternatively, you can soak a piece of sandalwood in plain water for a few hours. Remove the wood and dab the sandalwood water onto the acne scar with a cotton ball.
Repeat either procedure on a daily basis.
4)Try fenugreek extract.
Fenugreek has anti-inflammatory properties, so it can soothe inflamed acne scars.
Place 1 tsp (5 ml) fenugreek seeds in 1 cup (250 ml) of water and boil for 10 to 15 minutes. Let the solution cool and strain out the seeds.
Apply this solution directly to acne scars without rinsing it off. Repeat daily for a week.
5)Use neem leaves.
The alkaloids found in neem give the plant antibacterial and antiviral properties, so it can cleanse the scar of residual bacteria and allow the body to heal the area naturally.
Place a leaf from a neem plant directly over the acne scar. Hold it in place for 15 minutes or so, pressing gently against the scar.
Repeat once daily for a week or longer.
6)Freeze the scar away.
Ice is a very simple way to soothe irritated, inflamed scars and promote healing.
Hold an ice cub over the acne scab for 10 to 15 minutes once a day. After a few days pass, the scar should shrink significantly.
If the ice is too cold for you, wrap it in a piece of cheesecloth or linen before applying it.
*Exfoliating to Remove Scars:
1)Try sugar.
Granulated sugar, when mixed with water, forms a paste that naturally and gently scrapes away dead skin cells, thereby stripping away scarred skin.
Mix roughly 1 Tbsp (15 ml) of granulate sugar with 1 to 2 tsp (5 to 10 ml) of water, blending the ingredients together until an abrasive paste forms.
Apply this paste or scrub to your entire face, concentrating on areas covered by acne scars, rubbing the scrub in gently using a circular motion.
After several minutes, rinse the scrub off your skin with clear, warm water.
2)Use an oatmeal scrub.
Oatmeal mixed with a little water can scrape away dead skin cells, as well, but oatmeal can also help soothe irritated skin.
Mix about 2 tsp (10 ml) with 2 tsp (10 ml) oatmeal, forming an abrasive paste. Apply this paste to any portion of your face affected by acne scarring, rubbing it into your skin gently using a circular motion. Let sit for 5 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.
You can also make a larger batch, maintaining equal proportions of both ingredients, and use it as a gentle exfoliator for your entire face.
3)Strip away skin cells with apple cider vinegar.
Vinegar is abrasive, so it can scrape away dead skin cells. It also has antiseptic properties that can heal skin as it strips dead cells away.
Dilute apple cider vinegar with up to equal parts water, mixing to combine well. Dab this solution onto your acne scars using a cotton ball and rinse it off after a few hours, using clear, lukewarm water.
Avoid applying vinegar directly to the scar without diluting it with water first. Vinegar can be very abrasive and harsh on sensitive skin, so it could cause irritation if you are not careful.
*Attacking the Problem from the Inside:
1)Maintain a balanced diet.
In addition to topical skin treatments, you also need to keep your body healthy on the inside in order to give your body a chance to repair the damaged cells and rejuvenate your skin. A healthy, balanced diet filled with plenty of vitamins and nutrients is an essential component of this.
According to traditional food pyramid guidelines, you should get about 6 to 11 servings of grains, 3 to 5 servings of vegetables, 2 to 4 servings of fruit, 2 to 3 servings of dairy, 2 to 3 servings of protein, and an occasional amount of fats on a daily basis in order to have balanced nutrition.[4] Note that these guidelines do not have to be followed exactly, but they do provide a rough idea of how to balance your diet.
Regular exercise is also an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Cardiovascular exercise gets your blood pumping and is especially important.
2)Ingest lemon and other fruits high in vitamin C.
This wonderful little vitamin helps your body produce new collagen. Collagen is an important part of the synthesis of new skin cells, so taking vitamin C internally can help your body produce clear, new skin tissue.
Aside from lemons, other foods high in vitamin C include oranges, tangerines, chili peppers, guavas, bell peppers, dark leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, kiwis, papayas, and strawberries.
3)Eat foods high in vitamin E.
Vitamin E is thought to have healing properties. When ingested, it can heal damaged skin from the inside out. Vitamin E can be found in natural sources as well as in supplements.
Several foods rich in vitamin E include sunflower seeds, almonds, pine nuts, paprika, red chili powder, peanuts, basil, oregano, dried apricots, spinach, and cooked taro root.
* Using Natural Remedies:
1)Apply fresh lemon juice.
Lemon juice has natural skin bleaching properties, and can help to effectively lighten your acne scars. Simply combine equal parts lemon juice and water and apply this liquid directly onto your scars, avoiding the surrounding skin. Wash off the lemon juice after 15 to 20 minutes or you could put the the lemon juice on overnight as a mask.This is not a recommended method for lightening acne scars, since lemon juice has a pH of 2, and skin's pH is 4.0-7.0. If left on too long, or not diluted this can lead to significant chemical burns. Citrus juices contain a chemical called Bergapten, which binds to DNA and allows UV radiation to damage skin more easily.
Remember to moisturize immediately after washing off the juice, as the citric acid in the lemon can be very drying on the skin.
Lime juice, which also contains citric acid, can be used instead of lemon in a pinch.
2)Exfoliate with baking soda.
Baking soda can be used to exfoliate the skin and minimize the appearance of acne scars. All you need to do is mix one teaspoon of baking soda with two teaspoons of water to form a liquid paste. Apply this paste all over your face and use gentle circular motions to rub the baking soda into the skin, concentrating on the scarred areas, for about two minutes. Rinse off with warm water and pat the skin dry. This is not a recommended method for treatment or removal of acne scars or active pimples. The pH of baking soda is 7.0, which is far too basic for skin's pH. Optimal skin pH occurs between 4.7 and 5.5, which is an inhospitable environment for p. acne (the bacteria responsible for causing most acne). By raising the pH to a more basic level, p. acne is able to survive longer and cause more infection and inflammation.
You could also use the baking soda paste as a spot treatment, applying it directly onto the scarred area and letting it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before washing off.
3)Use honey.
Honey is a great natural solution for clearing up pimples and reducing the red marks they leave behind. This is because honey contains antibacterial properties and helps to soothe the skin and reduce inflammation. Raw or manuka honey is the most effective. It can be dabbed directly onto the scarred area, using a q-tip.
Honey is a great option for those with sensitive skin, as honey is non-irritating, and will moisturize your skin instead of drying it out, unlike other treatments.
If you can get your hands on some pearl powder (it can be found in health stores or online), you can mix a pinch of it in with the honey for an extra-effective treatment. Pearl powder is supposed to reduce inflammation and fade acne scars.
4)Experiment with aloe vera.
The sap of the aloe vera plant is a soothing natural substance which can be used to relieve many ailments, from burns to wounds to acne scars. Aloe vera helps to rejuvenate and moisturize the skin, encouraging acne scars to fade. It is possible to buy aloe vera products in the drug store, but the best thing to do is buy an aloe vera plant and use the sap from a broken leaf. This gel-like sap can be applied directly on the scarring, and there is no need to wash off.
For a more intense scar treatment, you can mix a drop or two of tea tree oil (which promotes clear skin) into the aloe vera gel before applying.
5)Use an ice cube.
Ice is an extremely simple home remedy which can help to fade acne scars by soothing the inflamed skin and reducing redness. To use, just wrap an ice cube in a clean cloth or piece of paper towel and hold it against the scarred skin for a minute or two, til the area starts to feel numb.
Instead of freezing regular water, you can freeze some strong green tea in an ice cube tray and use the resulting ice cubes on the acne scars. Green tea has anti-inflammatory properties which complement the cooling effects of the ice.
6)Make sandalwood paste.
Sandalwood is known for its skin healing properties, and is easy to prepare at home. Just mix one tablespoon of sandalwood powder with a few drops of rosewater or milk to form a paste. Apply this paste to the affected area and leave it on for at least 30 minutes before rinsing. Repeat this process daily until your scars have vanished.
Alternatively, you can mix the sandalwood powder with a little honey and use this as a spot treatment on individual scars.
7)Try apple cider vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar helps manage the pH of your skin, improving its appearance over time and helping to reduce the appearance of red marks and scars. Dilute the vinegar to half its strength with water and apply it to the affected area every day with a cotton ball until the scars begin to fade.
* Using Medical Creams and Treatments:
1)Start with a cortisone cream. Cortisone creams help reduce inflammation of the skin and promote healing. Talk to your doctor to determine which kind of cortisone cream is right for you.
Cortisone creams are available in both prescription and over-the-counter forms. Only apply the cream to the affected skin, and be sure to read the labels for instructions on use.
2)Try an over-the-counter skin lightening cream.
Lightening creams that contain ingredients such as kojic acid, arbutin, licorice extract, mulberry extract and vitamin C can help safely lighten and fade skin hyperpigmentation caused by acne scars without causing damage or irritation.
Avoid products that contain hydroquinone, as this popular skin-lightening chemical can irritate your skin and has been labelled a potential carcinogen.
3)Use glycolic or salicylic acid treatments.
Glycolic and salicylic acids are found in many skincare products, such as creams, scrubs and ointments, as they are effective exfoliants which help skin to shed layers, bringing hyperpigmented skin to the surface, before helping it to disappear completely.
You could also book an appointment with a dermatologist to get a glycolic chemical peel, which work in the same way, but will penetrate deeper layers of skin.
4)Use retinoid skin products.
Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives which are used in a wide array of skin care products treating fine lines and wrinkles, skin discoloration, and acne. Retinoids boost collagen production and speed up cell turnover, making them a great choice for targeting acne scars. These creams can be a little on the pricey side, but they are highly recommended by dermatologists for their fast, effective results.
You can purchase some retinoid creams over-the-counter, such as those produced by major skincare brands. However, stronger creams are available by prescription from your dermatologist.
The ingredients in retinoid creams are sensitive to the UVA rays in sunlight, so these creams should only be applied at night in order to protect your skin.
5)Get laser treatment.
If your acne scars don't fade on their own after several months, then you may want to consider using laser therapy. Depending on which treatment you choose, the laser is used to either stimulate collagen production or to vaporize the scar so that new skin can form in its place.[7]
Book an appointment with your dermatologist to discuss your options and talk about the potential risks and side-effects.
6)Consider getting fillers.
Acne scars can leave permanent indentations in your skin which are impossible to reverse. Filler injections can temporary fill these indentations to help even out the skin's surface, but need to be repeated every four to six months.
7)Think about micro dermabrasion and chemical peels.
These treatments are not going to fade your acne scars overnight, as they can be quite harsh and the skin will take time to heal. However, they are definitely worth considering if your find that creams and lotions aren't working, or you're more concerned about evening out your skin tone.
A chemical peel involves having a concentrated acidic solution applied to the skin. It will burn away the top layers of skin, leaving fresh, new layers of skin underneath.
Microdermabrasion produces similar results, but it works by exfoliating the skin using a rotating wire brush.
*Caring For Your Skin:
1)Always protect your skin from the sun.
Ultraviolet rays from the sun stimulate pigment-producing skin cells,which can worsen the appearance of acne scars. If you spend time in the sun, protect your skin by applying sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), wearing a wide-brimmed hat, and keeping to the shade as much as possible.
2)Use gentle skincare products.
A lot of the time, people are so desperate to get rid of acne scars and skin discolorations that they will use all manner of abrasive products and methods which can irritate the skin and make the situation worse. Try to listen to your skin -- if it's reacting badly to a particular product, you should stop using that product immediately. Stick to gentle facial cleansers, make-up removers, moisturizers and scrubs that soothe your skin rather than inflame it.
Avoid using very hot water when cleaning your face. Hot water can be very drying to the skin, so turn the temperature down a few notches.
You should also avoid using rough facecloths, sponges and loofahs on the face, as these are too harsh and can irritate the skin.
3)Exfoliate regularly.
Exfoliating helps to slough off dead skin, revealing the fresh, soft new skin underneath. As acne scarring usually only effects the top layers of skin, exfoliating can speed up the fading process. You can exfoliate using a specific facial scrub, just make sure it's designed for sensitive skin.
Alternatively, you can exfoliate using a gentle washcloth and some warm water by moving the washcloth around your face in small circular motions.
You should exfoliate at least once a week and at most once a day, though if your skin is very dry you may want to keep it to 3 to 4 times a week.
4)Avoid picking at spots and scars.
Though it may be tempting, picking at your scars interrupts the process by which your skin naturally heals and can worsen their appearance. Picking at existing pimples, meanwhile, can cause your skin to scar in the first place, as bacteria from your hands may be transferred onto your face, causing it to become inflamed and infected. Therefore, picking should be avoided at all costs.
5)Drink plenty of water and follow a balanced diet.
Although eating healthily and staying hydrated isn't going to magically make acne scars disappear, it will allow your body to perform at its best and help skin to heal itself. Water will flush toxins from the body and keep skin looking plump and firm, so you should aim to drink 5 to 8 glasses a day. Vitamins such as A, C and E will also help to feed the skin and keep it hydrated.
Vitamin A is found in vegetables such as broccoli, spinach and carrots and vitamins C and E are found in oranges, tomatoes, sweet potatoes and avocados.
You should try to avoid greasy, fatty and starchy foods as much as possible as they will not do your skin any favors.
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