Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Natural remedies
• Method 2 of 3: Medicinal creams and treatments
• Method 3 of 3: Take care of your skin
• Tips

Acne can be a painful and embarrassing skin condition, and it can leave scars to remind you of that. While most acne scars fade on their own after a few months, there are things you can do to speed up the process and prevent further skin discoloration. Realistically, the scars will not disappear overnight, but the measures, products, treatments and tips described below will give clearly visible results after a while. You just need to find the right method for your type of skin.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Natural remedies

1. Apply fresh lemon juice. Lemon juice naturally bleaches the skin and can lighten your scars. Mix equal parts lemon with water and apply directly to your scars, but try not to smear it on the surrounding skin. Wash off the lemon juice after 15 to 20 minutes, or leave it on overnight as a mask.
   • Don't forget to moisturize your skin after rinsing off the lemon juice, as the citric acid can be very drying.
   • You can also use lime juice in an emergency, it also contains citric acid.
2. Scrub with baking soda. Baking soda can be used to exfoliate the skin to make acne scars less noticeable. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with two teaspoons of water to make a paste. Apply this paste to your face in gentle circular motions to rub the baking soda into your skin, focusing on the areas where you have a lot of scars. Do this for about two minutes, rinse with warm water and pat your skin dry.
   • You can also use the baking soda paste on individual areas. Apply it on the scars, leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and then wash it off.
3. Use honey. Honey is a great natural solution to reduce blemishes and fade the red marks they leave behind. This is because honey has antibacterial properties, soothes the skin and reduces inflammation. Raw or manuka honey is the most effective. You can apply it directly to the scars with a cotton swab.
   • Honey is an excellent solution if you have sensitive skin as it does not irritate and actually moisturizes your skin instead of drying it out, which is the case with many other treatments.
   • If you can find pearl powder (online or at some health food stores) you can mix a little bit of it with the honey for an extra effective treatment. Pearl powder reduces redness and can help fade scars.
4. Experiment with aloe vera. The juice of the aloe vera plant is a soothing substance that can treat many skin problems, from burns to acne scars. Aloe vera helps to rejuvenate and moisturize the skin, fading scars. You can buy products with aloe vera from the drug store, but it is best to buy an aloe vera plant and always use some juice from a broken leaf. This gel can be applied directly to the scars, and you don't have to rinse it off.
   • For a more intensive treatment of your scars, you can drip one or two drops of tea tree oil into the aloe vera gel before applying it to your skin.
5. Use an ice cube. Ice is a very simple home remedy for fading acne scars by soothing irritated skin and redness.Wrap an ice cube in a clean cloth or paper towel and hold it against your skin for about 2 minutes, until the area starts to numb.
   • Instead of plain water, you can also freeze strong green tea and keep the ice cubes on the scars. Green tea has anti-inflammatory properties that complement the cooling effect of the ice.
6. Make a sandalwood paste. Sandalwood is known for its skin-repairing properties, and you can easily make it at home. Mix a tablespoon of sandalwood powder with a few drops of rose water or milk to form a paste. Apply this paste on the affected areas and leave it on for about 30 minutes. Repeat this daily until your scars have faded.
   • You can also mix some honey into the sandalwood powder and apply it to your scars.
7. Try apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar helps restore the pH balance in your skin, making your skin look better and red spots and scars less obvious. Dilute the vinegar with equal parts water and apply with a cotton ball every day until your scars start to disappear.

Method 2 of 3: Medicinal creams and treatments

1. Use a cortisone cream. Cortisone creams reduce inflammation of the skin and allow the skin to recover. Consult with your doctor which cream is right for you.
   • You can have cortisone creams prescribed by your doctor. Only apply the cream to the affected skin and read the leaflet carefully before using it.
2. Try a skin bleaching cream. Creams containing ingredients such as kojic acid, arbutin, licorice root extract, mulberry extract and vitamin C can safely lighten the skin and help fade dark spots caused by acne.
3. Use glycolic or salicylic acid. Glycolic and salicylic acid are found in many skin care products such as creams, scrubs and ointments, and they are effective at removing the top layer of skin, revealing lighter skin.
   • You can also make an appointment with a dermatologist to have a chemical peel, which works the same way, but it penetrates the deeper layers of the skin.
4. Use products with retinoid. Retinoids are derivatives of Vitamin A used in a variety of skin care products to treat wrinkles, skin discoloration and acne. Retinoids increase collagen production and accelerate cell turnover, making them effective for treating acne scars. These creams are on the pricey side, but they are highly recommended by dermatologists as they give quick and effective results.
   • You can get over-the-counter retinoid creams from major skincare brands. But the stronger creams must be prescribed by the dermatologist.
   • The ingredients in retinoid creams make your skin sensitive to UVA rays, so these creams should only be applied at night to protect your skin.
5. Get a laser treatment. If your acne scars haven't gone away on their own after a few months, consider getting a laser treatment. Depending on the treatment you choose, the laser is used to stimulate collagen production or to burn away the scars so that new skin can form in that area.
   • Make an appointment with the dermatologist to discuss the options and to clarify what possible risks and side effects may be.
6. Consider fillers. Acne scars can leave permanent pits on your face. Injections of filler can temporarily fill these wells, but they should be repeated every six months.
7. Think about microdermabrasion and chemical peels. These treatments don't get rid of your scars in one fell swoop, as they are quite aggressive to your skin and take a while to heal. But they are definitely worth a try if creams and lotions don't work for you, or if you really care about even skin.
   • With a chemical peel, a concentrated acid solution is applied to your skin. It burns away the top layers of skin, revealing a new skin layer.
   • Microdermabrasion gives a similar result, but it works by scrubbing the skin with a rotating brush.

Method 3 of 3: Take care of your skin

1. Always protect your skin from the sun. UV rays from the sun stimulate pigment-producing skin cells, which can make your acne scars more visible. When you go outside, always apply a cream with a factor of at least 30, wear a hat with a wide brim and stay in the shade as much as possible.
2. Use mild skincare products. Often people are so eager to get rid of acne scars and skin discoloration that they start using all kinds of harsh products and methods that irritate the skin and make the problem worse. Try to listen to your skin - if your skin is not responding well to a particular product, stop immediately. Stick to mild facial cleansers, makeup removers, creams and scrubs that soften rather than irritate your skin.
   • Do not use hot water when you clean your face. Hot water can dry out your skin, so turn the tap a little colder.
   • Also, don't use rough washcloths, sponges, or loofahs on your face, as they can irritate your skin, too.
3. Scrub regularly. Exfoliating gets rid of dead skin cells, revealing the soft, new skin underneath. Since acne scars are usually only on the top layer of skin, exfoliating can speed up the healing process. You can exfoliate with a special facial scrub, but make sure it is suitable for sensitive skin.
   • You can also exfoliate with a soft washcloth and some warm water using circular motions over your face.
   • Scrub at least once a week and no more than once a day, but if your skin is very dry, stick to 3 to 4 times a week.
4. Do not squeeze or scratch pimples or scars. While it can be tempting, this disrupts the healing process and makes the scars more visible. Scratching and squeezing pimples can also transfer the bacteria from your hands to your face, which can make them inflamed.
5. Drink enough water and eat healthy. While eating a healthy diet and staying hydrated won't magically help you get rid of your scars, it will keep your body functioning optimally so that your skin can recover properly. Water flushes toxins from your body and makes your skin look plump, so drink at least 5 to 8 glasses a day. Vitamins A, C and E nourish the skin and also keep you hydrated.
   • Vitamin A is in vegetables such as broccoli, spinach and carrots. Vitamin C and E are found in oranges, tomatoes and avocado.
   • Don't eat too oily and starchy food, because that won't do your skin any good.

Tips

• Stay well hydrated. By drinking enough water you keep enough moisture in your skin and you stay healthier in the long run, so your skin heals faster.
• The sooner you treat the scars, the more effective the treatment will be.
• The most effective method to heal scars is to have patience; the scars will be completely gone after a few months because collagen fills the affected areas of the skin.