Acne scars are divided into two: new wounds that gradually fade, and old scars in the form of speckled blemishes on the skin tissue. Unfortunately, untreated acne can cause both types of sores. Fortunately, however, you can fade or sometimes even remove acne blemishes entirely from your skin. With skin care, medical procedures, and preventative treatments, it is possible to get rid of even the most stubborn and unfading acne scars.
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Method 1 of 3: Treating New Acne Scars and Blemishes
Step 1. Fade redness on acne scars
Treat the redness of the acne scars by applying a cortisone cream. Cortisone will help fight inflammation and reduce redness around the wound to fade its appearance.
- You can buy cortisone cream without a prescription at most pharmacies. The price is probably around IDR 100,000,00.
- Look for creams that are labeled non-comedogenic. This label means that the cream contains no pore-clogging ingredients such as cocoa butter, coal tar, isopropyl myristate, as well as pigments and dyes. Getting rid of acne scars but at the same time causing acne to reappear is a futile act.
Step 2. Try a lightening cream
Another option for removing acne scars is a lightening cream. Lightening creams containing kojic acid or arbutin will help lighten the pigment in acne blemishes, thereby fading their appearance.
- Creams like this are also available in pharmacies near you at a fairly cheap price.
- Beware of hydroquinone. Hydroquinone lightening cream can lighten skin pigment. However, its use is not recommended because of the possibility of causing cancer.
Step 3. Use retinoids
Retinoids are available in oral and topical preparations can normalize the "hyperkeratinization" of the skin. This means, retinoids will help exfoliate the skin normally, thereby preventing clogged pores and acne formation. Retinoids also have anti-inflammatory properties and can improve the appearance of the skin by stimulating its recovery.
- Topical retinoids such as Retin-A or Tazorac are used to treat acne as well as scars. On the other hand, alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids are chemical peels that can remove a layer of dead skin cells and reveal a new, flawless layer of skin underneath.
- You can usually buy retinoids in the form of creams or serums without a prescription at the pharmacy. However, pregnant women should avoid using retinoids because they are not safe for the fetus.
Step 4. Use vitamin C
Ascorbic acid, or vitamin C may be effective enough to fade or even remove acne scars. Vitamin C is found in simple sources such as lemon juice. Vitamin C not only contains antioxidants and can reduce inflammation, but is also very important in the production of collagen, a compound that the body uses to restore connective tissue.
- You can buy special creams or vitamin C at pharmacies and drug stores.
- A simpler way is to apply lemon juice to your face with a cotton swab, after cleansing your face first. Leave it for no more than 15 minutes. Your skin may feel a little stinging or uncomfortable. Also, your skin may dry out, so it's a good idea to apply a moisturizer afterwards.
- Another variation of this home remedy is to mix lemon juice with honey and milk in a 1:2:3 ratio and use it as a mask after cleansing your face. Clean the mask after use for no more than 1.5 hours.
- Avoid excessive sun exposure while using lemon juice to lighten the skin. Excessive sun exposure is not good for acne scars, especially after applying lemon juice.
Step 5. Avoid creams containing vitamin E
The disadvantages of using vitamin E cream outweigh the benefits. Because of vitamins, we may suspect their use will be beneficial or harmless. In fact, a University of Miami study reported that vitamin E treatment had no effect or even worsened the appearance of acne scars in 90% of the study subjects, whereas benefit was found in only 10% of cases.
Method 2 of 3: Overcome Old and Heavy Acne Scars
Step 1. Consult a doctor
Many of the treatments recommended for severe acne scars should be carried out by a doctor. Maybe you find this method a little inconvenient; why can't it be done at home? However, there are risks and potentials from such treatment that make it must be done under the supervision of a doctor.
- Make a treatment appointment with a dermatologist. Dermatologists who are experts in dealing with skin problems can provide complete recommendations for dealing with acne scars.
- If you don't have a regular dermatologist, you may need to make an appointment with a general practitioner first and then ask for a referral.
Step 2. Consider a chemical peel treatment
Talk to your doctor about using stronger chemical peels. With a strong acid formulation, this action will lift the outermost layer of your skin, thereby fading the appearance of acne scars.
Stronger chemical peels should almost always be given under a doctor's supervision. Your doctor will recommend peeling specifically according to the severity of your acne, skin type, and other factors. The doctor will also give you a care guide after peeling
Step 3. Perform a dermabrasion or microdermabrasion treatment
“Dermabrasion” is the process of exfoliating the outermost layer of the skin using a rapidly rotating wire brush. Usually, this procedure can remove blemishes on the skin's surface as well as fade the appearance of deeper wounds.
- This action is not without risk. Dermabrasion may cause red or swollen skin, enlarged pores, infection, and, rarely, scarring. It can also change skin pigmentation in dark skinned patients.
- Microdermabrasion is a milder procedure by sprinkling fine crystals onto the outermost layer of the skin, which is then sucked up along with dead skin cells. Since microdermabrasion is only able to exfoliate the outermost layer of the skin, the results are generally not as obvious as dermabrasion.
Step 4. Talk about laser resurfacing with your doctor
In laser resurfacing, the doctor will use a laser to exfoliate the outermost layer of the skin (epidermis) while tightening the middle layer. The skin will usually grow firmer afterwards, usually within 3-10 days. Sometimes, several treatments are needed to fade acne scars.
- Laser treatment does not give everyone the same results, and sometimes the results are unpredictable. Doctors don't yet know why this treatment is effective for some people, but not for others.
- Many people are satisfied after undergoing laser treatment, but only a few patients are able to get rid of 100% of their acne scars. Although they help fade scars, laser treatments are almost never completely effective, and must be accompanied by other treatments.
Step 5. Consider plastic surgery
As a last resort, talk to your doctor about surgery to treat large, deep scars or lesions. In this procedure, the doctor will use a punch excision to remove the wound and replace it by transplanting skin taken from another part of the body.
Consider this option carefully, and consult your doctor before proceeding. Remember this is a minor and risky operation. To do this, anesthesia and surgical facilities are needed, so the cost is quite large. You also need time to recuperate
Method 3 of 3: Get used to Preventive Care
Step 1. Avoid sun exposure
Excessive sun exposure will cause acne scars to darken (experiencing hyperpigmentation) while inhibiting healing, including sunbathing and darkening the skin. Be careful and avoid direct sunlight, especially in the middle of the day.
- Apply a fair amount of sunscreen before leaving the house, and reapply 2 hours later. Try to find a sunscreen product that doesn't clog pores.
- Wear a wide hat and sunglasses for added protection. If your scar is on your arm, neck, or back, cover that area with clothing as well.
Step 2. Do not pick or squeeze the pimple
Scarring, which is mostly composed of collagen, is the body's natural response to repair itself. Squeezing and picking at a pimple or pimple will further irritate the skin tissue and prevent it from healing properly.
- Instead, wash your face with a gentle cleanser to get rid of acne-causing oil and dirt. You can also try over-the-counter acne medications. Look for products that contain the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide.
- Pay attention to everything that comes into contact with your skin. Keep your hair clean and away from your face, also avoid putting your hands or other objects such as cell phones on your face.
Step 3. Provide focused care for the skin
You may be tempted to use all means to treat acne and its scars. However, it's usually ineffective. Talk to a dermatologist and make a treatment plan along with goals you want to achieve to treat your acne scars.
- You can incorporate oral antibiotics, topical retinoids, and lightening creams into your treatment plan. Your doctor may also prescribe medication to prevent acne in the long term.
- Give treatment as recommended by your doctor, and more importantly, be patient while trying to solve your skin problem.
