Nearly everyone would agree that acne scars are almost as bad as acne itself if you had to come up with a list of unwelcome and unwanted skin conditions. So it’s no surprise that acne scar sufferers will want to remove any and all signs of acne, including its scars it often leaves, in order to enjoy clear, smooth, flawless skin once again.
Contrary to what some believe, acne scars can be prevented and removed using natural or medical solutions. With that said, this process should ideally begin even before acne has healed because the more aggressive interventions are placed on the acne, the more severe the scarring will be, as is apparent with those who frequently pop their pimples.
Natural Acne Scar Remedies
Natural remedies are of probably going to be your first line of defense, both for preventing scars and for removing them. Medical solutions should are often only considered for serious scarring, since medical methods are more aggressive, invasive, and considerably more expensive.
The first preventative step is to stop popping and squeezing your pimples, as this only serves to make the acne worse. Instead of popping your pimples, you should allow your body and the medications to do their jobs. If possible, you should also avoid using makeup on the affected area until your acne clears up.
In cases where acne has healed and only left mild scarring, many over-the-counter remedies will be effective at removing the scars. In severe cases however, where a sufferer has been left with deep pockmark scarring, medical methods such as those mentioned below, will usually be required.
Herbal remedies can also be highly effective at erasing acne scars in mild cases, and they can also help to get rid of the resultant skin blemishes and skin discoloration. Most herbalists favor the use of substances such as rosehip seed oil, aloe vera gel, olive oil, lavender oil, honey, rose water and sandalwood. These are applied to the affected area by massaging them gently into skin, and then once treatment has been completed, the skin should be rinsed using clean, fresh water.
Medical Acne Scar Removal
In the case of severe acne outbreaks, you may find yourself with acne scars that will not respond to the natural methods mentioned above. Ice pick and crater scars as well as dark patches on the skin are best removed through medical means, even though these treatments are more expensive than natural acne scar treatment options. One point to keep in mind is that, despite the increased cost, the end result often justifies paying a bit more for the most effective form of treatment, even if that includes surgical and medical procedures.
- Dermal fillers are used to fill in the affected area under the skin, thus, filling or stretching the skin. The scars then become less noticeable with the added benefit that wrinkles, deep creases and fine lines can also be erased from the face. These soft tissue fillers are only temporary so repeated sessions must be made for the acne scars to become less visible.
- Microdermabrasion involves blowing micro-crystals into the skin, which will then be used to polish off the topmost skin layer. Microdermabrasion can significantly improve one’s appearance, but several treatment sessions are necessary.
- Dermabrasion is mostly used in cases where the scarring is severe acne. This treatment involves actually removing the top layer of skin altogether with a small handheld device. Each treatment session will completely remove surface scars, and after a series of treatments, even the deepest scars will have been erased.
- Laser therapy is not as effective but with advances in technology, the potentials are great.
In the most severe cases, where none of the above treatment work, a dermatologist will usually recommend surgery, in which case skin grafts will be used to cover the scars. The thing to remember when it comes to choosing a treatment option is that you should follow the advice of an experienced dermatologist.
