Acne is one of the most common skin problems. It affects people of all ages from teenagers to young adults to women going through menopause. It is equally frustrating at whatever age you get it. But worse is the scars that you get from the acne which take longer to disappear. Pimple scars are formed when acne penetrates deep into the skin and damages the underlying tissues. They may leave a spot, depending on the color of your skin or cause skin indentation.
While all of this is quite frustrating, the good news is that it is possible to manage acne scars effectively. In some cases home remedies prove to work for them and in some cases professional acne scar treatment is required.
When it comes to home remedies, application of aloe vera gel, vitamin E, raw honey, shea butter, etc. can help lighten dark spots caused by acne. This can be applied after washing your face with a mild cleanser and water.
However, in the case of severe acne scars a more through treatment may be required to make them disappear. There are a wide variety of acne scar treatments, but the right one depends on the type of acne and the severity of the damage. So, it’s best to get an expert's advice to choose the best acne scar treatment for your skin.
So, what are the available acne scar treatments?
1. Microneedling
There are many acne scar treatments but the most effective one is microneedling. Performed by a professional it is best for scarring and reducing signs of ageing. The process involves tiny needles to create micro-punctures in the skin which kick start cellular renewal, leading to increased collagen and elastin production. The earlier this is done the better, as it can be difficult to see results on older scars.
If you are opting to do microneedling at home make sure the instrument is properly sanitized before using it and make sure you are applying in skin which has no active acne.
2. Peels
If your scars are not so sever, then a chemical peel is the answer. For not so obvious scarring, doing a peeling treatment with a low-pH acid will help those scars to disappear. There are now plenty of at home peeling options that are available, which are excellent at renewing the skin’s surface while reducing the depth & intensity of the acne scar. You can opt for a pre-soaked pad for easy application or try a toner resurfacing liquid.
Here are some of our top recommended options for at home peeling products…
Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Dr. Dennis Gross - This cult swipe-and-go peel pads have are very popular among beauty expert.
Click here to buy.
The Inkey List Apple Cider Vinegar Peel – It may smell like vinegar but it is the most effective brightening peel that is well within your budget.
Click here to buy.
3. Vitamin C
When it comes to post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, Vitamin C is your solution. It is beneficial for your skin for multiple reasons. It revitalizes your skin and stimulates your body’s natural production of collagen. It prevents dark spots, lightens and breaks up pigmentation on your skin.
Here are some of our top recommended options for Vitamin C products…
The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% - Ascorbyl Glucoside is a water-soluble derivative of Vitamin C. This product is not so potent so works really well to give you brighter looking skin. It is also good for oily, acne prone skin.
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Tatcha Violet-C Brightening Serum - This cult favorite contains 20% vitamin C and 10% AHA to give your face that glow from within. It's so good that some reviewers call it the magic potion.
Click here to buy.
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic - This expensive cult favorite works well for oily or acne-prone skin. It can be worn in the AM under sunscreen and makeup and PM after cleansing your face. The results it gives are brighter, smoother skin with less fine lines.
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4. Alpha – Hydroxy Acids
AHAs are great chemical peels that help fade post-inflammatory hyper pigmentation. It helps the skin recover faster and quickly fade the discoloration. AHAs include acids such as glycolic acid, lactic acid and mandelic acid. They work by dissolving the glue that holds the dead skin cells together to give you brighter and fresher looking skin.
But make sure to select the right acid for your skin type. They do not work on all skin types.
Click here to read our blog and find out the right acid for your skin type.
Here are some of our top recommended options for at AHA products…
SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense Serum- Contains both salicylic and glycolic acid, this one fades scars while also treating acne.
Click here to buy.
The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA - This is a simple non-drying formulation that helps combat acne and hyperpigmentation.
Click here to buy.
5. Retinol
Retinol or Vitamin A is the hottest new ingredient for anti-ageing. It also helps reduce acne scars and reduces hyperpigmentation by increasing the cell’s turnover rate.
There are now excellent over the counter options that are available which help fades scars and reduces hyperpigmentation.
Here are some of our top recommended options for Retinol products…
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum - This is a recommended option for those who are new to retinol because of the encapsulated formula. This also works really well for people with sensitive skin.
Click here to buy.
La Roche-Posay Retinol 0.3% + Vitamin B3 Serum - A moderate retinol serum that works well even on sensitive skin.
Click here to buy.
6. LED Light Therapy
Light therapy has proven to show results when comes to skin concerns, from acne to loss of collagen to dull skin. LED light therapy mainly works towards repairing damaged cells, aiding the skin to recover from whatever ailment it is facing.
There are now numerous at-home LED Light Therapy products that are available, you don’t have to visit a dermatologist to get one. Look for one with a red-light setting which helps in skin cell repair and use it regularly for cumulative results.
Here are some of our top recommended options for at home LED Light Therapy products…
Skin Rejuvenating LED Face Mask - LED mask will boost collagen production and brighten lingering dark spots.
Click here to buy.
Kaye's Beauty Book is here to help you choose better products that suit your skin, hair and lifestyle. All of the products mentioned are carefully researched and selected to ensure that the most credible information comes to you. If you do buy a product from one of our links, Kaye's Beauty Book may earn a commission.
II DISCLAIMER: Every skin is different, not everything works for everybody. I recommend you test the product before completely using any new product. II
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