There are two types of pimple scars: the first blemishes left by acne, which fade over time, and the old scars that give the skin a pitted appearance. The bad news is that untreated severe acne can leave both of these types of scars; the positive, however, is that you can reduce and, at times, completely eliminate skin imperfections. Thanks to some treatments, medical procedures, and preventative care, you can reduce or eliminate even the most difficult and long-lasting acne scars.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Treating Initial Acne Spots and Scars
Step 1. Reduce redness
You can achieve this by applying a cortisone cream to skin imperfections. This substance helps fight inflammation and reduce redness around the scars, thus making them less visible.
- You can also buy these creams without a prescription at major pharmacies and they generally cost no more than 7-8 euros.
- Look for lotions that are labeled "non-comedogenic," which means they do not contain ingredients that can clog pores, such as lip balm, coal tar, isopropyl myristate, pigments and dyes. If scar treatment makes acne worse, you find yourself fighting a losing battle.
Step 2. Try spot fading creams
This is another good option for your problem. These products contain kojic acid or arbutin which lighten the pigment of skin imperfections, so as to visibly reduce them.
- Again, you can find the creams in drugstores at affordable prices.
- Be careful with hydroquinone. The creams that contain this active ingredient allow to fade the spots of the skin. However, it is a product whose sale is prohibited in Italy as it is considered toxic and probably carcinogenic.
Step 3. Use retinoids
They can be administered topically or orally and normalize "hyperkeratinization"; this means that they help renew skin cells at a normal rate, preventing pores from becoming clogged resulting in acne formation. They also have anti-inflammatory properties that can improve the appearance of the skin by promoting healing.
- Topical retinoids such as Retin-A or Zorac are used to treat acne and its scars. On the other hand, alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids are chemical peels that remove the top layer of dead skin, revealing the newer, less blotchy underneath.
- You can buy retinoids in cream or serum from drugstores without a prescription. However, pregnant women must refrain from using it, because it is not a safe product for the fetus.
Step 4. Take Vitamin C
Ascorbic acid, or simply vitamin C, can be an effective product for reducing or even eliminating acne scars and is present in a very common substance, such as lemon juice. Vitamin C not only contains antioxidants and is able to limit inflammation, but it is an essential element in the production of collagen, which is used by the body to repair connective tissue.
- You can purchase a skin cream or serum specially formulated with vitamin C from health food stores and drugstores.
- An even simpler method is to apply lemon juice to your face (after having thoroughly washed yourself) with a cotton swab and leave it on for no more than half an hour. You may feel a stinging or uncomfortable sensation. Your skin will likely dry out, so you'll need to apply a moisturizer afterwards.
- Another variation of this method is to mix lemon juice with honey and milk in a 1: 2: 3 ratio and apply the mixture as if it were a face mask. Don't leave it for more than half an hour.
- Do not stay in the sun for too long when applying lemon juice to lighten the skin. The sun worsens the evidence of acne scars, but its effect is amplified by the presence of lemon juice on the skin.
Step 5. Avoid creams with vitamin E
In fact, these products can be more harmful than healthy. Since it is a vitamin, you may think that it is always beneficial and that it is not harmful. A study from the University of Miami found, however, that a vitamin E-based treatment did not give positive results or even aggravated the appearance of scars in 90% of the subjects examined, with an improvement in only 10%. of cases.
Method 2 of 3: Treating Obvious and Late Scars
Step 1. See your doctor
Many treatments against obvious acne scars must be prescribed by the doctor. You may find this rather annoying and wonder why you can't make them yourself at home. However, these are rather risky, invasive treatments and must always be performed under the supervision of a doctor.
- Make an appointment with a dermatologist. He is the skin specialist and can provide you with sound advice on the necessary care for your problem.
- If you don't know a dermatologist, ask your primary care physician for one.
Step 2. Consider getting a chemical peel
Ask your doctor for more details about this fairly strong exfoliating technique. The procedure uses rather aggressive acids, thanks to which the superficial layer - or layers - of the skin is lifted, thus minimizing the visibility of scars.
These treatments should always be performed under close medical supervision. Depending on the severity of the acne and other factors, your doctor will be able to recommend different types of specific peels and will give you all the details to take care of your skin after the surgery
Step 3. Undergo dermabrasion or microdermabrasion
"Dermabrasion" is the removal of the upper layers of skin with a rapidly rotating wire brush. The procedure usually removes spots on the skin's surface and reduces the appearance of deeper scars.
- The treatment is not without risk. It may cause temporary redness or swelling of the skin, enlarged pores, infections and, although rarely, even scarring. It can also cause a change in pigmentation in people with darker complexions.
- Microdermabrasion is a lighter procedure; it consists in applying small crystals on the skin surface which will then be aspirated together with the dead skin cells. Since this technique only removes the outermost epidermal layer, the results are generally less noticeable than with dermabrasion.
Step 4. Talk to your doctor about laser skin resurfacing
This treatment involves the use of a laser to remove the outermost layer of skin (the epidermis) and firm the middle one. The skin generally grows back smoother, in about 3-10 days. Sometimes multiple sessions are needed to achieve significant results and reduce scarring.
- Laser treatments are not suitable for everyone and unpredictable results can be obtained. To be sure, science still can't explain why they are effective for some people and not for others.
- Many patients are satisfied with the results, but few are able to completely eliminate the scars. Although these procedures help decrease the visibility of blemishes, in reality they are almost never fully effective and often need to be performed in conjunction with other treatments.
Step 5. Consider cosmetic surgery
As a "last resort" you can seek the advice of a cosmetic surgeon if you have large, deep lesions or scars. During the surgery, the doctor will perform an excision of the scar tissue and then apply sutures or perform a skin transplant. Small lesions require only a suture, while large excisions need to be covered with a flap of skin taken from another area of the body.
Consider this solution carefully and discuss it with your doctor before proceeding; remember that this is considered a minor surgery, but it still carries risks. You will be anesthetized and, unless your situation is serious enough to warrant the intervention of the National Health Service, the operation will be quite expensive, not counting the time it takes to recover
Method 3 of 3: Implement Preventive Care
Step 1. Avoid sunlight
Excessive exposure to the sun causes the scars to hyperpigmentation (they become darker), at the same time slowing down the healing process. This means that you do not have to tan either with natural light or with UV lamps. Avoid direct sunlight, especially in the hottest hours of the afternoon.
- Apply a generous amount of sunscreen before going outside and remember to apply it again after two hours. Choose a product that doesn't clog pores.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses for extra protection. If scars are on your arms, neck, or back, cover these areas with clothing.
Step 2. Don't pinch or squeeze pimples
Scars are mainly composed of collagen and are the body's natural response to regenerate itself. If you pinch or squeeze the acne pustules or the scars themselves, the skin will become even more irritated and have a hard time healing properly.
- Instead, just wash the affected areas with a mild cleanser to cleanse the sebum and dirt that cause acne. You can also try specific over-the-counter products. Choose those that contain benzoyl peroxide as the active ingredient.
- Pay attention to what comes into contact with your skin. Keep your hair clean and away from your face, do not rest your hands or other objects (such as the phone) on your face.
Step 3. Adhere to targeted therapy
You may be tempted to try anything and everything to fight acne and its scars. However, this approach is generally not effective at all. Talk to your dermatologist to find specific and appropriate therapy to solve the problem.
- In some cases, a course of oral antibiotics, topical retinoids, and a whitening cream may be needed. Your doctor may also prescribe medication to help keep your acne under control over the long term.
- Treat scars under your doctor's supervision and most importantly be patient as your skin improves.
