How to Get Rid of Acne Scars Naturally and Fast
Acne scars are marks left behind on the skin after a pimple goes away. They can affect one’s self-esteem and confidence, especially if they are noticeable or widespread. Acne scars can be red or brown discoloration or a change in skin texture, with the skin appearing indented or raised. There are different types of acne scars, such as atrophic, hypertrophic, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Acne scars occur when acne breakouts penetrate the skin deeply and cause damage to the tissue beneath it. As the skin heals, it may produce too much or too little collagen, which is a substance that supports the skin. This can result in raised or depressed scars. Some people may also have a genetic predisposition to scarring. Popping, squeezing, or picking at pimples can also make scarring more likely. The good news is that acne scars are not permanent and that there are various treatments and home remedies that can help fade or reduce their appearance. In this article, we will discuss some of the best natural remedies, over-the-counter products, medical treatments, and Amazon products for acne scars. Original article link with images: How to Get Rid of Acne Scars Naturally and Fast – Sezia Step 1: Identify the type of acne scars you have There are different types of acne scars, such as: Depressed (atrophic) scars: These are small indentations in the skin that occur when there is a loss of collagen during the healing process. They can be icepick scars (small, deep holes), boxcar scars (wider oval or round areas with distinct edges), or rolling atrophic scars (wide depressions with a rolling or undulating appearance). Raised (hypertrophic) scars: These are elevated scars that occur when there is too much collagen production during the healing process. They are usually found on the chest and back. Dark spots (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation): These are not technically scars, but they are a visible reminder of acne. They occur when the inflammatory process of acne causes hyperpigmentation, or deeper coloration, where acne has healed. Step 2: Choose a natural remedy that suits your skin type and scar type There are many natural remedies that people use to help fade acne scars, but the evidence for their effectiveness is limited. Some may cause irritation or other problems, so use them with caution and patch test them first. To use these natural remedies, apply a small amount of the oil or gel to the affected area and massage gently. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water. Repeat this once or twice a day until you see improvement. Some natural remedies that you can try are: Black seed oil: This is an oil extracted from the seeds of Nigella sativa, a plant native to Asia and Africa. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may help even out skin pigmentation and reduce redness. To use it, apply a few drops of black seed oil to the affected area twice a day and massage gently. You can also mix it with honey or aloe vera gel for extra benefits. Rosehip oil: This is an oil derived from the seeds of rosehips, which are the fruits of rose plants. It has vitamin A, vitamin C, and essential fatty acids that may help reduce discoloration and improve skin texture. It may also stimulate collagen production and promote wound healing. To use it, apply a few drops of rosehip oil to the affected area once or twice a day and massage gently. You can also mix it with other oils, such as jojoba or almond oil, for extra hydration. Honey: This is a sweet substance produced by bees from the nectar of flowers. It has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties that may help wound healing and prevent infection. It may also moisturize the skin and reduce inflammation. To use it, apply a thin layer of raw honey to the affected area and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse it off with warm water and pat dry. You can also mix it with other ingredients, such as lemon juice, cinnamon, or oatmeal, for extra benefits. Aloe vera: This is a succulent plant that has gel-like substance in its leaves. It has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties that may help soothe the skin and reduce inflammation. It may also stimulate collagen production and promote scar-free healing of wounds. To use it, apply a thin layer of fresh aloe vera gel to the affected area and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse it off with warm water and pat dry. You can also mix it with other ingredients, such as honey, turmeric, or green tea, for extra benefits. Lemon juice: This is a liquid extracted from lemons, which are citrus fruits rich in vitamin C. It has acidic and bleaching properties that may help lighten the skin and reduce hyperpigmentation. It may also exfoliate the skin and remove dead skin cells. To use it, apply a few drops of fresh lemon juice to the affected area and leave it on for 10 minutes. Rinse it off with cold water and pat dry. You can also mix it with other ingredients, such as honey, yogurt, or baking soda, for extra benefits. Step 3: Use an over-the-counter product that contains salicylic acid, retinoids, or alpha hydroxy acids If natural remedies are not enough, you can also use over-the-counter products that contain ingredients that may help reduce acne scars. To use these products, follow the instructions on the label and apply them to the affected area once or twice a day. Be careful not to overuse them, as they may cause dryness, irritation, or sun sensitivity. Always use sunscreen when using these products. Some of these ingredients are: Salicylic acid: This is a naturally occurring compound that is often an ingredient in acne skin care products. It has exfoliating and anti-inflammatory properties that may help remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, and reduce redness. It may also help fade hyperpigmentation and improve skin texture. To use it, apply a product containing salicylic acid to the affected area once or twice a day, depending on the strength and your skin sensitivity. You can also use a salicylic acid peel once a week for deeper exfoliation. Retinoids: These are derivatives of vitamin A that can help speed up cell turnover, stimulate collagen production, and reduce inflammation. They may help smooth out the skin, fade hyperpigmentation, and prevent new acne from forming. To use them, apply a product containing retinoids to the affected area once a day, preferably at night. Start with a low concentration and gradually increase it as your skin tolerates it. You may experience some dryness, peeling, or irritation at first, so use a moisturizer and sunscreen along with it. Turmeric: This is a spice that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may help heal wounds and reduce scarring. It may also help lighten the skin and reduce hyperpigmentation by inhibiting melanin production. To use it, mix some turmeric powder with water, honey, or yogurt to make a paste. Apply the paste to the affected area and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse it off with warm water and pat dry. You can also take turmeric supplements or drink turmeric tea for extra benefits. Lactic acids: These are a type of alpha hydroxy acids that are derived from milk or fermented foods. They have similar benefits as other alpha hydroxy acids, but they may be more gentle and hydrating for the skin. They may help lighten the skin and improve its texture by exfoliating and moisturizing it. To use them, apply a product containing lactic acids to the affected area once or twice a day, depending on the strength and your skin sensitivity. You can also use a lactic acid peel once a week for deeper exfoliation. Vitamin C: This is a powerful antioxidant that can help protect the skin from free radical damage, inflammation, and sun exposure. It may also help brighten the skin and reduce hyperpigmentation by inhibiting melanin production. It may also stimulate collagen production and promote wound healing. To use it, apply a product containing vitamin C to the affected area once or twice a day, preferably in the morning. You can also use a vitamin C peel once a week for deeper exfoliation. Amazon Products for Acne Scars There are many products on Amazon that can help treat acne scars. These are some of the best-selling and highly rated ones that you can try: Differin Adapalene Gel: This is a product that contains adapalene, a type of retinoid that can help treat acne and prevent new breakouts. It may also help reduce the appearance of acne scars by speeding up cell turnover, stimulating collagen production, and reducing inflammation. To use it, apply a thin layer to the affected area once a day, preferably at night. Start with a low concentration and gradually increase it as your skin tolerates it. You may experience some dryness, peeling, or irritation at first, so use a moisturizer and sunscreen along with it. Ambi Skincare Fade Cream: This is a product that contains hydroquinone, a bleaching agent that can help lighten the skin and reduce hyperpigmentation. It also contains vitamin E and alpha hydroxy acid to moisturize and exfoliate the skin. To use it, apply a thin layer to the affected area twice a day and massage gently. You may see results in as little as two weeks. Olay Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Brightening Serum: This is a product that contains vitamin C and peptides to brighten the skin and reduce hyperpigmentation. It also contains niacinamide and lactic acid to hydrate and exfoliate the skin. To use it, apply a few drops to the affected area once or twice a day, preferably in the morning. Medik8 R-Retinoate Day & Night: This is a product that contains retinaldehyde, a type of retinoid that can help treat acne and prevent new breakouts. It may also help reduce the appearance of acne scars by speeding up cell turnover, stimulating collagen production, and reducing inflammation. To use it, apply a pea-sized amount to the affected area once a day, preferably at night. Start with a low concentration and gradually increase it as your skin tolerates it. You may experience some dryness, peeling, or irritation at first, so use a moisturizer and sunscreen along with it. iS Clinical Pro-Heal Advanced Serum: This is a product that contains vitamin C, vitamin E, and olive leaf extract to protect the skin from free radical damage, inflammation, and sun exposure. It may also help brighten the skin and reduce hyperpigmentation by inhibiting melanin production. It may also stimulate collagen production and promote wound healing. To use it, apply a few drops to the affected area once or twice a day, preferably in the morning. Step 4: Consult a dermatologist for more advanced treatments If your acne scars are severe or do not respond to home remedies or over-the-counter products, you may want to consult a dermatologist for more advanced treatments. Some of these treatments are: Laser therapy: This is a treatment that uses a beam of light to target the scar tissue and stimulate the growth of new skin cells. It may help reduce the appearance of acne scars by resurfacing the skin, fading hyperpigmentation, and improving skin texture. There are different types of lasers, such as ablative and non-ablative, that have different effects and recovery times. Laser therapy may require multiple sessions and may cause some side effects, such as redness, swelling, or infection. Microneedling: This is a treatment that uses tiny needles to create micro-injuries in the skin and stimulate the healing process. It may help reduce the appearance of acne scars by stimulating collagen production, improving skin texture, and reducing hyperpigmentation. Microneedling may require multiple sessions and may cause some side effects, such as bleeding, bruising, or infection. Chemical peels: This is a treatment that uses a chemical solution to peel off the top layer of the skin and reveal the new skin underneath. It may help reduce the appearance of acne scars by exfoliating the skin, fading hyperpigmentation, and improving skin texture. There are different types of chemical peels, such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and trichloroacetic acid, that have different strengths and effects. Chemical peels may require multiple sessions and may cause some side effects, such as burning, stinging, or scarring. Dermal Fillers: This is a treatment that uses substances, such as hyaluronic acid, collagen, or fat, to fill in the depressed areas of the skin and make them more even. It may help reduce the appearance of acne scars by plumping up the skin and improving its texture. Fillers may last for a few months or longer, depending on the type and amount used. Fillers may require multiple sessions and may cause some side effects, such as bruising, swelling, or infection. Surgery: This is a treatment that involves cutting out the scar tissue and stitching the skin together or grafting new skin from another part of the body. It may help reduce the appearance of acne scars by removing the scar tissue and replacing it with new skin. Surgery may be an option for severe or normal skin. Surgery may require one session or more, depending on the extent of scarring. Surgery may cause some side effects, such as bleeding, infection, or scarring. Conclusion Acne scars are not permanent and there are many options to help improve their appearance. You can try natural remedies, over-the-counter products, medical treatments, or Amazon products for acne scars. However, before trying any treatment or remedy, you should consult a dermatologist to determine the best option for your skin type and condition. You should also avoid picking at your skin, as this can worsen scarring and cause infection. You should also use sunscreen and moisturizer daily to protect your skin from further damage and keep it healthy. We hope this article has helped you learn more about how to get rid of acne scars naturally. If you have any questions or feedback, please let us know in the comments below. Thank you for reading! Original article link with images: How to Get Rid of Acne Scars Naturally and Fast – Sezia
