Acne scars are marks on the skin that are left behind after acne has healed. They are generally raised or indented and are not harmful but can be emotionally distressing, affecting a person’s self-esteem. According to experts, around 80% of people between the ages of 11 and 30 can experience acne, and one in five of them will leave scars.
Now-a-days, several treatments as well as home remedies to get rid of acne scars are available including topical creams, chemical peels, microneedling, laser therapy, and dermal fillers. However, it’s best to consult with a dermatologist to determine the most effective treatment plan for your specific type of scars.
What Causes Acne Scars?
Inflammation of acne lesions leads to acne scars. Some acne lesions are tiny, leaving superficial scars that heal fast. But, some b lemishes occasionally leak their contents into the surrounding tissues, leaving deeper scarring. In order to heal these marks, skin consequently reacts by producing new collagen fibres. However, if skin starts producing abnormally high amount of collagen it can also triggers the formation of acne spots.
Also Read: How Dry Skin and Acne are Linked?
10 Best Home Remedies to Get Rid of Acne Scars Naturally
Acne scars can be a frustrating and persistent problem, but there are some effective remedies and natural products can help reduce their appearance. Some of these natural products are given below:
Use Aloe Vera Gel for Healthier Skin
Aloe Vera gel is a natural anti-inflammatory product that help reduce the appearance of scars by minimizing the infection in surrounding areas. Apply fresh Aloe Vera gel directly to the affected area and leave it on for 30 minutes before washing it off. You can also use this gel by mixing with yogurt or honey to enhance its efficiency.
Apply Shea Butter to Fade Blemishes
Shea butter is usually used to remove stretch marks and fade blemishes. It’s moisturizing and skin healing effects make it an ideal natural product for brighten your skin tone along with flawless appearance.
Use Apple cider vinegar to Remove Acne
Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties that can help protect skin against oxidative damage. It heals the skin damaged by recurring infections. Apple Cider Vinegar is acidic in nature while acne usually develops on alkaline skin type. So, applying it to the affected skin helps balances the skin pH; hence helping heal damaged texture. Mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water and apply it on scars with cotton ball. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes before washing it off.
Coconut Oil is a Natural Skin Protectant
Coconut oil has been used for years as a natural skin moisturizer. It helps restore the natural moisture of extremely dehydrated skin; leaving it nourished and healthy. Moreover, it effectively fades the body scars, acne marks, and dark spots by healing the skin and balancing the hydration level of your skin.
Lemon juice Lightens your Skin Tone
Lemon juice contains citric acid, which can help exfoliate and lighten your skin tone. Apply fresh lemon juice to the acne spots and leave it on for 5-8 minutes before washing it off. Keep in mind that some sensitive skin types might irritate with direct application of lemon juice. So, you may apply it with natural soothing ingredients to heal your skin along with fading acne scarring.
Apply Honey to Naturally Soothe your Skin
Honey has natural moisturizing and soothing properties that help repair damaged skin. It also contains anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties to resist free radicle damage in acne-prone skin. Apply raw honey to the affected area or apply it with mixing in milk and leave it on for 10-15 minutes before washing it off.
Use Baking soda to Balance pH
Baking soda also known as ‘Sodium Bicarbonate’ has exfoliating properties that helps remove dead skin cells and unclog the pores. It also reduces the inflammation caused by bacterial infection around the acne area; thus reducing the appearance of scars. Mix 2-3 teaspoons of baking soda with enough water to form a paste. Apply the paste to the blemishes and leave it on for 1-2 minutes before washing it off.
Remember, don’t use baking soda for long as it may irritate the sensitive skin and disrupt the skin’s natural pH. Rather, apply it after getting checked your skin type, cause of acne, and skin pH.
Essential oils: Among the Top Home Remedies to Get Rid of Acne Scars
Regular application of essential oils on your skin is a great way for skin tightening and rejuvenation. Every essential oil has a set of properties to nourish your dull texture. Lavender oil, carrot oil, rosemary, and eucalyptus oils can be a perfect choice for fading your acne marks.
Apply a Pinch of Turmeric for Clear Skin
Turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help reduce the appearance of scars. Mix 1-2 teaspoons of turmeric powder with enough honey or milk to form a paste. Apply the paste to the scars and leave it on for 15-20 minutes before washing it off.
Get the Benefits of Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help prevent further breakouts and reduce the appearance of scars. Dilute a few drops of tea tree oil with a carrier oil, such as coconut or jojoba oil, and apply the mixture to the scars. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes before washing it off. Note that tea tree oil can be irritating to some people, so it’s best to do a patch test first before applying it to larger areas of skin.
It is important to patch test any new home remedy on a small area of skin before applying it to larger areas to ensure that you are not allergic or sensitive to it. Additionally, these remedies may take time to show results and may not work for everyone. If you have severe scarring or are unsure about trying home remedies, it is always best to consult with a dermatologist.
Dark Spots Vs Acne Scars: How they Differ?
Acne scars and dark spots are two different types of skin discoloration that can be caused by acne. Here are the differences between the two:
Dark spots
Dark spots, also known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), are flat, dark-colored spots that are caused by the overproduction of melanin, in response to inflammation from acne. They can range in color from light brown to dark brown or black, and they can take several months to fade on their own.
Acne scars
Acne scars are marks or depressions on the skin that are left behind after acne has healed. They are the result of damage to the skin’s collagen caused by inflammation from acne. Acne scars can be caused by several factors, including the type and severity of acne, skin type, and the person’s healing process.
While both dark spots and acne scars can be caused by acne, they require different treatments. Dark spots can often be treated with topical lightening agents, such as hydroquinone or kojic acid, or with procedures such as chemical peels or laser therapy.
Acne scars may require more invasive treatments, such as microneedling or dermal fillers, to help improve their appearance. It’s important to consult with a dermatologist to determine the most effective treatment plan for your specific type of skin discoloration.
Do Acne Scars Go Away Permanently? How Long Does it Take to Fade?
The time it takes for acne marks to fade can vary depending on your skin type and severity of the scarring. Moreover, age and overall skin condition also matters a lot in recovering your juvenile skin texture. Usually, it can take few weeks to months for major disappearance of an acne scar.
Superficial scars also known as ‘Post-inflammatory Erythema’ may fade within a few weeks to a few months. Deeper scars such as ice pick or boxcar scars also called ‘indentation scars’ may take longer to heal and fade.
Natural remedies and OTC products can help reduce the appearance of acne and pimple marks, but they may not completely eliminate them.
Are Acne Scars Permanent? Can Home Remedies Help to get Rid of Acne Scars?
Acne scars can be permanent, but it depends on the type and severity of the scar. Some marks may fade over time, while others may remain visible without getting proper treatment.
Ice pick scars and deep boxcar scars are more likely to be permanent, as they damage the skin’s deeper layers. Rolling scars and shallow boxcar scars can improve over time by getting the right treatment option such as chemical peels, microneedling, or laser therapy.
Treating acne scars can be challenging, and it may take multiple treatments to see significant improvement. In some cases, a combination of treatments may be necessary to achieve the best results.
To prevent acne scars from becoming permanent, it’s important to avoid popping or squeezing pimples. It will help you to avoid dense scarring and inflammation. Also, it’s essential to protect the skin from the sun by wearing sunscreen, as sun damage can make acne scars more harsh and noticeable.
Concluding Remarks
Remember that having acne does not indicate that you will get scars. The good thing is that not all acne scars are permanent. There are multiple effective treatments available which can significantly eliminate the scars, while others encourage the skin’s natural collagen to repair itself.
