What’s more frustrating than acne breakouts are the marks they leave behind. I think we can all agree on this one. Acne scars happen when the skin is damaged – and the deeper the damage, the harder it is to get rid of.
Good news is you don’t have to live the rest of your life with acne marks. There are effective treatments backed by medical science that can help you get rid of them immediately. Published here is an in-depth insight of these treatments.
However, there are also home remedies that can help you treat acne scars. To make it even more effective, follow these step-by-step guide to ensure you do a proper treatment:
#1. Understanding the cause and risk acne scarring can bring
Before going on with the steps, you must know first how or why the acne scars developed. And by doing so, you will be able to prevent this from happening in the future. Acne scarring can occur due to various reasons. Picking or squeezing a pimple is one of the most common reasons why acne gets inflamed. When you touch or pick your pimple, especially with unwashed hands, you will worsen the acne getting it infected and inflamed leading it to develop permanent acne scars.
#2. Wash your face correctly
Washing your face first thing in the morning and at night before going to bed is an essential step as it washes off bacteria and freshens your skin.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before washing your face so the bacteria from your hand won’t clog your pores
- Rinse your face with lukewarm water before applying the facial cleanser
- The facial cleanser should be gently massaged into your skin for a few minutes
- Rinse with cold water and pat your face dry with a clean towel
Dermatologists do recommend not washing your face for more than twice a day as it may irritate and dry out the skin.
#3. Use a mild cleanser
If you want to avoid irritating your skin or causing your acne to get worse, it’s best that you try to switch to organic and non-soap cleansers. These cleansers are chemical-free that helps to prevent your acne from scarring. Mild cleansers work effectively, especially for people with sensitive skin. You can also try to make your own natural cleanser by using green tea.
#4. Exfoliate gently
Exfoliating the skin is the key to removing dead skin particles. It helps minimize the appearance of acne scars. Dead skin can clog up the pores leading to the development of acne. But, before heading on with using exfoliating products, seek advice from your dermatologists so they can recommend what type of product is safe and will work best for you. For people who have sensitive skin, exfoliating can be done once or twice a week. As for people who have thicker and oily skin, exfoliating once every day is recommended.
A soft microdermabrasion cloth is made of microfibers that suck the oil and dirt that clogs up the pores without the need to rub it roughly. This can serve as an effective exfoliating tool that you can use.
#5. Daily use of natural moisturizing products
A way to keep your skin from getting dry and developing acne scars is to apply moisturizer daily. It won’t just help you prevent dryness and irritation, but will also make your skin look fresher. Aim for organic or natural creams that contain anti-inflammatory ingredients like green tea and aloe vera.
After cleansing and exfoliating, apply the moisturizer. You can also try moisturizers that have alpha-hydroxy acids that help to reduce the appearance of acne scars and wrinkles. Another compound that helps the skin to retain its moisture is hyaluronic acid. It plays a key role in maintaining and repairing the skin’s inner layers.