5 Acne Scar Treatments To Try At Home Before Visiting An Expert

The skin is the largest organ in the body that serves the first line of defense to protect the internal organs. The skin protects the body against environmental factors that can lead to damage and infection, including the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun and pathogens that can cause disease.

From time to time, your skin may experience irregularities and damage, caused by a multitude of factors. One of the most common and peskiest skin conditions is acne, which can be frustrating and hard to manage.

Acne affects about 40 million to 50 million people in the United States alone, most commonly teenagers, but it can also affect children and adults. Active breakouts are hard to deal with, but the acne scars that they leave behind can be irritating and problematic.

Good thing is that there are many treatments used today to remove acne scars and reveal smooth and radiant skin.

Here’s a rundown of acne scar treatments to try at home before consulting a dermatologist.

1.    Aloe vera

In most cases, acne scars resolve on their own or improve in time. However, there are long-lasting changes in skin color, and some people, develop indentions in the skin. Treating acne scars at the right time is essential for more effective results.

One of the most used natural remedies to lighten acne scars is aloe vera, which contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Aloe vera works by boosting the immune response, reducing inflammation, and increasing collagen and elastin fiber production to improve the appearance of acne scars.

2.    Coconut oil

Unlike the common notion that oil could make the skin more prone to acne. However, coconut oil is a different story. It is rich in lauric acid, which helps kill the bacteria that cause acne and it restores moisture, which can reduce acne scarring.

Coconut oil also contains active ingredients that can reduce the appearance of acne scars. One key ingredient in coconut oil is vitamin E, which is an antioxidant and is well-known to lighten scars.

However, if you are using coconut oil for the first time, test it on a small area of the skin before applying it to more extensive areas. This way, you can prevent hypersensitivity reactions and potential adverse reactions.

3.    Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are widely used by dermatologists to remove acne scars, especially deep and noticeable ones. Acne breakouts can be frustrating but the scars they leave on your skin are more galling. Thankfully, there are products like chemical peels you can try, which are used to smoothen the texture and tone of the skin, lighten dark spots, and unclog pores to help future acne bouts.

If you’re not confident with home chemical peeling, you can try acne scar treatment in dermatology clinics, such as chemical peels, which are used to remove the top layer of the skin and allow new healthy skin to appear.

Laser treatments are also recommended for those who have acne scars, these treatments are performed in dermatology clinics. Laser treatments are used to remove all sorts of acne scars, like boxcar acne scars, ice-pink acne scars, and rolling acne scars, among others.

Apart from laser treatments, dermatologists also perform acne scar fillers, which can treat deep-pit acne scars. Soft tissue fillers are used to smooth and fill the acne scar surface to improve its appearance.

4. Honey

Honey is widely used in skincare, from exfoliation and moisturizing to brightening and lightening of the skin.

For better results, use raw honey such as the manuka honey, for it works to make inflammatory acne look less noticeable and has an osmotic effect on the skin. This means it draws out excess fluid to reduce inflammation.

Honey is rich in antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and enzymes that all work together to combat acne bacteria and hasten the healing of wounds. Plus, it provides exfoliation to lighten the skin, particularly acne scars.

#5 Baking Soda

Health experts say that some of the things you can use for smooth and radiant skin are in your pantry. For instance, a promising acne scar remover is baking soda, which can help fade acne and pimple marks. It can also aid in the healing process of acne breakouts that can reduce scarring.

Also, baking soda is rich in anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which can reduce future acne breakouts, as well as allow the skin to heal, reducing the appearance of scars.

For first time users, it is important to remember that baking soda has the tendency to dry the skin, hence, moisturizing after can be beneficial. Also, the skin should maintain a pH level of between 4.5 and 55, which means it is acidic.

On the other hand, baking soda has a pH level of 9, which is it is alkaline, and that means it can strip the skin of its healthy oils. Use baking soda with caution to prevent its unpleasant side effects.

Home remedies for acne treatment are easy and accessible. However, it is still recommended to consult with a dermatologist to make sure that all these remedies are safe and effective. Also, there are skin treatments that can help hasten the removal of acne scars and reduce the risk of future breakouts.

About the Author

Dr. Ammar Mahmoud is an expert in the field of minimally invasive, non-surgical cosmetic skincare, and acne scar treatment. He is also the founder of Alinea Medical Spa Acne Scar & Laser Skin Care in NYC.