As if battling acne wasn't hard enough, scars and the resulting post-inflammatory erythema may still remain even long after puberty has passed. Even so, it's still possible to get rid of scars and acne scars -- you just have to find a way that works. Eliminating these acne scars can be done with the use of creams to surgery, or other treatments in between.
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Method 1 of 3: Removing Scars
Step 1. Find out what type of scar is on your skin
There are four types of acne scars, and knowing what type of scar you have can help you determine the right treatment:
- Icepick scars are the most common acne scars to form. These sores are characterized by deep but narrow depressions of skin on the surface.
- Boxcar scars can be found mainly on the forehead or cheeks. This wound is sharp and deep, resembling a scar from chickenpox.
- Rolling scars have a sharp angle and make the skin appear bumpy with the surface getting deeper.
- Keloid (or hypertrophic) scars appear thick and protrude on the surface of the skin. These wounds are caused by excessive collagen secretion which actually aims to heal the initial scar.
Step 2. Try topical treatments to get rid of atrophic scars
Atrophic scars (or scars other than keloids or prominent scars) may respond well to treatments aimed at increasing collagen production. Look for products that contain the following compounds:
- Alpha hydroxy acids or AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids). Glycolic acid is one of the many AHAs available. Over-the-counter AHA peels must have a pH between 3 and 4 to be effective. Be sure to apply AHAs at night, as they can cause photosensitivity. Use sunscreen and be aware of sun exposure if you use this method. Glycolic acid is safe for pregnancy.
- Beta-hydroxy acid or BHA (beta-hydroxy acid). The pH level of BHA must be between 3 and 4 in order to exfoliate the skin. Salicylic acid is a BHA.
- Retinoic acid, or vitamin A. In some countries, such as the US, you may need to buy Retin-A products with a prescription, as they can cause harm to the fetus. Consult a dermatologist because these prescription drugs come with side effects.
Step 3. Try a microdermabrasion treatment to remove atrophic scars
Microdermabrasion will erode the layer of skin around the scar, even out the skin surface, and fade the dark spots and blemishes of acne scars. In a microdermabrasion treatment, the skin will be exfoliated with fine crystals. This treatment is not too painful and barely makes the skin bleed.
- Ask other people for advice. If possible, consult with people who have had microdermabrasion treatments to get rid of acne scars.
- Some people with deep scars, do not undergo microdermabrasion treatment and immediately undergo dermabrasion treatment. Dermabrasion treatment is a more intensive procedure and goes deep into the layers of the skin. Consult with your doctor to see if this option is right for you.
- Prepare for recovery time. Your skin will be red and sensitive after the treatment. Avoid direct sunlight for a few weeks, and always wear sunscreen.
Step 4. Use a chemical peel
A chemical peel removes the outermost layer (or layers) of your skin, allowing new skin cells to grow without discoloration or scarring. Chemical peeling treatment is a must always done by a doctor, although it shouldn't be too painful - your skin will only feel a slight stinging or burning sensation.
- Ask your doctor what kind of peel you need. There are various peeling formulations aimed at different skin problems, as well as how far the peeling ability penetrates the skin layers.
- Stay out of the sun and wear sunscreen. After undergoing this treatment, your skin will become very sensitive. Don't waste the results by getting sunburnt!
Step 5. Get laser treatment
Laser treatment can be used on both atrophic acne scars and keloids (which appear prominent). There are several laser treatment options available, and a dermatologist can help you choose the right one.
- Laser resurfacing treatment to remove atrophic acne scars: like microdermabrasion, this treatment thins the layer of skin around the scar and reduces the appearance of pits and blemishes.
- Laser pulsed dye treatment for keloid scar removal: this will induce apoptosis (or individual cell death) and thin out the scar.
- Smoothbeam laser treatment can also fade atrophic scars by stimulating the body's production of collagen.
Step 6. Ask your doctor about dermal fillers
Sometimes acne scars are so deep that skin resurfacing treatments alone aren't enough. In this case, you might consider using a dermal filler injection that can fill in the hollows in the scar and fade its appearance.
The only drawback of this filler treatment is that over time the filler used will be absorbed by the body, as a result you will have to repeat the same treatment every 4 to 6 months
Step 7. Try steroid injections
Steroid or cortisone injections can smooth and then shrink hard scars. This treatment is very effective especially for keloid wounds. The doctor will inject the scar tissue. This action can reduce itching, redness, or soreness in the skin, while smoothing and shrinking the tissue.
Step 8. Consider surgery as a last resort
Surgery is effective, but has its own risks.
- In a punch excision procedure, the skin around the scar is cut, then closed with stitches, so that the original scar can be removed.
- For small scars, the suture around the punch excision incision may appear as a thin line. However, for larger scars, you may need a skin transplant from another part of the body (usually behind the ear).
Method 2 of 3: Treating Post-Inflammatory Erythema
Step 1. Understand the terms
Although caused by acne, post-inflammatory erythema and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation are not scars, but discoloration of the skin.
- Post-inflammatory erythema is a pink and red discoloration of the skin due to inflammation and acne lesions. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is a brown scar caused by overproduction of melanin.
- You can tell the two apart by their color, as well as with a press test. Post-inflammatory erythema disappears when pressed, but post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation does not.
- The term "scarring" basically just describes the skin surface changes caused by acne, although many people with severe acne also want to reduce the appearance of post-inflammatory erythema and hyperpigmentation.
Step 2. Provide treatment for post-inflammatory erythema
Post-inflammatory erythema will eventually go away on its own due to slow collagen production. However, since the time it takes is around 6 months to several years, many people prefer to speed things up with skin care.
- An effective treatment should contain active ingredients that can lighten or even out skin tone. This lotion is more popular in Asian countries, which find light skin tones more attractive.
- Look for products that contain the active ingredients kojic acid, vitamin C, arbutin, niacinamide, mulberry extract and licorice extract. These ingredients have been scientifically researched as skin lighteners, and are generally safe to use without any harmful reactions as long as they are used as directed.
- Some doctors will prescribe creams that contain hydroquinone. However, this cream should be used with caution and only for a short period of time because of the potential for side effects.
- Vitamin C serum is useful to restore collagen, even out skin tone in the treatment of post-inflammatory erythema. However, you need to be aware that many over-the-counter vitamin C products don't contain high enough levels to work effectively. Thus, vitamin C serum purchased with a doctor's prescription is the best choice.
- Wear sunscreen. Sunscreen can protect the skin from damage caused by UVA and UVB rays, so it can accelerate post-inflammatory erythema to disappear by itself.
Step 3. Try a chemical exfoliant
Over-the-counter exfoliating products containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) can exfoliate the skin layer and stimulate the growth of new skin cells, to treat acne and post-inflammatory erythema.
- AHAs are effective exfoliants --which can stimulate faster exfoliation of the outermost layer of skin and reveal a new layer of healthy skin underneath. Wear sunscreen, as AHAs can cause photosensitivity causing sunburn.
- Consider a chemical peel treatment (using glycolic acid) at a dermatologist's office. These treatments are more intensive than over-the-counter AHA products, and can go deeper into the skin layers, although they are more expensive and cause your skin to turn red and irritated for days or even weeks.
Step 4. Use retinoids
Retinoids are acid derivatives of vitamin A. Retinoids are very effective in treating a number of skin problems, such as fine lines and wrinkles, acne and dark spots.
- Retinoid creams will help fade post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation by accelerating skin regeneration. Retinoids are also able to help eliminate atrophic wounds by stimulating collagen production.
- Retinoid creams can only be purchased with a prescription, so you should check with a dermatologist if you want to use them. You also need to be aware that retinoids will make your skin very sensitive to sunlight, so it's best to only use them at night.
- A less potent retinoid, retinol, is the active ingredient in many over-the-counter skin care products. This product is said to be able to provide the same effect as retinoid creams, but this is not the case.
Step 5. Consider laser treatment
If post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation doesn't fade within a few months, you may consider laser treatment to lighten it's appearance.
- The latest laser treatments can even out the skin's surface, thereby eliminating dark spots and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation scars. This laser treatment can also stimulate the production of collagen to fill atrophic scars.
- The only drawback to this treatment is that it is very expensive, and you will need at least 3 treatments to completely remove post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which can cause skin irritation and sensitivity. However, the results are fast, effective, and permanent.
Step 6. Try home remedies
Although the success rate of medical procedures and treatments is much higher, you may prefer to undergo home remedies that are simple and safe to use.
- Honey mask: honey contains sugar, amino acids and lactic acid. This means that honey can draw moisture in the air and lock it in the skin, while gently exfoliating and treating acne. Prepare your skin by pouring hot water into a bowl, putting a towel over your head and trapping the hot steam, then placing your face over the bowl. The steam will help the facial pores absorb the honey. After a few minutes, apply pure honey to your face and leave it on for 15 minutes before washing it off.
- Aloe Vera: Aloe vera is a moisturizing product that can help soothe and rejuvenate hyperpigmentation of the skin. While there are many commercial skin care products that contain aloe vera, you can use fresh aloe vera plants. Break an aloe vera leaf, and apply the thick, gel-like sap directly to your face. If you like, add a drop (no more) of pure tea tree oil to the aloe vera sap before applying it. Undiluted tea tree oil can cause chemical burns, so it must be diluted first. Tea tree oil has antibacterial properties and can help treat acne on the skin. Diluted neem oil is another traditional oil option that can be added to treat acne.
Step 7. Know what home remedies to avoid
There are many articles on the internet advocating the use of products that are harmful or even damaging to the skin. Be sure to research them first, and only use products that are safe to use topically.
- Just because it's declared natural, doesn't mean it's safe. You don't want to apply natural mercury or nettle to your skin, do you? So, be aware of ingredients that are marketed or sold as natural products. However, use ingredients that have been scientifically proven to benefit the skin.
- Just because you can eat it, doesn't mean it's safe. The pH level of certain foods may actually be harmful to the skin. Treat the skin with care, do not lump it like your dinner plate.
- In particular, avoid skin care recipes that contain lemon juice and baking soda. Both should be avoided in skin care because they can cause chemical burns and exacerbate the erythema. In addition, lemon juice also causes photosensitivity. The pH level of these two ingredients is also far from a healthy skin pH (5, 5), and should not be applied to the surface of the skin.
Method 3 of 3: Skin Care
Step 1. Use a pH balanced facial cleanser
Treat your skin gently and use a pH-balanced cleanser (5, 5). This is the skin's natural acidity level and the skin's optimal pH. At this pH, the skin forms a protective layer of acid that is strong enough to prevent the growth of acne.
- Be sure to choose a facial cleanser that suits your skin type and is suitable for acne-prone or sensitive skin.
- Skin reaction test. Test the new product on a small patch of your skin for a few moments to make sure it's safe. Stop using the product if your skin is irritated, and use new products with caution. For some people, pH balanced cleansers may actually cause irritation due to sensitivity to fragrance ingredients. Try other products, or use coconut oil to cleanse your skin instead.
- Avoid washing your face with very hot water (as it can dry out your skin) and don't use a rough cloth or sponge to physically exfoliate, as this can irritate and cause inflammation of the skin. Use lukewarm water with a pH balanced cleanser.
Step 2. Exfoliate
It is important to use a chemical exfoliant containing an AHA or BHA to treat acne and erythema. Exfoliation can remove dead skin cells, open clogged pores, and treat acne. This treatment will also smoothen the skin, thereby fading the appearance of scars and erythema caused by acne.
To be effective, the pH of AHAs and BHAs must be between 3 and 4. Use a BHA at most twice a day. Use AHAs at night, as they can cause photosensitivity. If you use an AHA during the day, be sure to wear sunscreen
Step 3. Gently exfoliate
Use a Konjac sponge or a soft washcloth moistened with water. Rub the washcloth over the skin in small circular motions.
- Perform a physical exfoliation treatment once a week, or as often as you need. However, if your skin tends to be dry, and feels tight afterwards, reduce the frequency of exfoliation.
- Avoid physical exfoliation using rough plastic or walnut shells. Plastic can cause environmental pollution, while walnut shells can damage the skin and cause aging.
- If your skin appears red or irritated, reduce the frequency of exfoliation or try a different product.
Step 4. Wear sunscreen and don't tan your skin
Besides being able to trigger skin cancer, ultraviolet radiation is the main cause of premature aging. Exposure to UVA and UVB rays can cause damage to the skin and cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, because sunlight will stimulate the skin's pigment-producing cells. In addition, UV exposure also prolongs the recovery of post-inflammatory erythema.
- Sunlight not only exacerbates the appearance of erythema, but can also cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, triggering premature aging, dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. Sunscreen is an anti-aging treatment for all ages, both young and old, to prevent skin cancer in later life. Prevention is always better than cure. There is no safe darkening process, there is only sun damage.
- Wear sunscreen with SPF 30 every day.
- When you have to spend a long time in the sun, stand in the shade if possible, and wear a wide hat and loose, long-sleeved clothing. Consider bringing a parasol too. In Asia, parasols are a popular fashionable accessory.
Step 5. Drink more water and eat a healthy diet
While drinking plenty of water and eating a healthy diet won't make your acne scars heal on their own, it will help your body function optimally and stimulate skin rejuvenation.
- Water will remove toxins from the body and moisturize the skin so it looks fresh, solid, and healthy. You should try to drink between 6 and 8 glasses of water every day.
- Eating lots of fruits and vegetables will provide the vitamins and nutrients needed to maintain healthy skin. Try to get enough vitamins A, C, and E (which are found in broccoli, spinach, carrots, tomatoes, avocados, and sweet potatoes) because they are most beneficial for the skin.
Step 6. Don't pop the pimple and touch your face
It may be difficult to do, but try not to squeeze, scratch, pick, or touch your face - as this will only make your skin worse in the long run.
- It's better to let your hands touch your face twice a day, when you wash it in the morning and at night. Next, keep your hands away from your face throughout the day.
- Change your pillowcase regularly because there are bacteria that grow and acne-causing oil on its surface.
- If you're still trying to get rid of your acne, check out these wikiHow articles that can help you: How to Get Rid of Pimples Overnight and How to Get Rid of Pimples
Tips
- Overexposure to the sun without SPF protection will cause aging, darken scars and take longer to remove. Always wear a sunscreen with adequate UVA and UVB protection.
- Moisture can help scars heal, so be sure to use a moisturizer. Avoid lotions that are not labeled non-comedogenic (because they can cause blackheads).
- If you are under 18 years of age or have persistent acne problems, continue your skin care as usual for now. You can undergo skin filling and laser treatments at a later date. There is no point in spending a lot of time and money on acne scar removal if you are still prone to acne.
- To treat dark spots on your face that can make scars appear more obvious, try evening out your skin tone with makeup.
