5 Ways to Reduce Acne Scars

by Lindsey Tosto on June 15th, 2024 | 11 Comments »

Dealing with acne during the teenage or adult years is difficult enough, but even more troublesome is when your acne breakouts begin to leave scars on the surface of your skin. Whether you currently suffer from acne or you are struggling with the scars acne has left behind, there is good news for your skin. Here are five ways to reduce acne scars that are both preventative and treatment-oriented. If you already have acne scars, use these techniques to even out the skin’s appearance. If you want to make sure you do not get scarring from acne outbreaks, these techniques can help you achieve that goal as well.

5 Ways to Reduce Acne Scars

Prevent Further Acne

Perhaps the number one technique for reducing acne scars is simply to prevent future outbreaks of acne. For teenagers this can be particularly problematic because of continual hormonal fluctuations. However, dermatology today can offer many effective tools for reducing and even preventing acne outbreaks at any age. The first step is to determine how severe the outbreaks are. For milder cases, a light antibiotic or even over-the-counter or homeopathic skin care products may be enough to prevent acne. However, for severe breakouts, it can be wise to consult a dermatologist and consider prescription options instead. You will also want to be sure to stay well-hydrated and get enough exercise and rest, as stress is another major known causative factor for acne outbreaks.

Use Sunscreen

When skin gets too oily or too dry, irritation causes oil to rush to the surface to hydrate the skin. An imbalance of oil can clog the pores and cause additional acne outbreaks. Sunburn can cause the skin to blister and peel, which can also produce acne. As well, repeated exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause skin pigmentation to change. Over time, changing pigmentation will create uneven skin tone that accentuates existing and new scars, including acne scars. The best course of action is to use a daily moisturizer with at least 15 SPF (sun protection factor) and to increase the SPF in your sunscreen if you plan to stay out in the sun for an extended period of time.

Try Homeopathic or Natural Remedies

Today’s skin care experts know more about homeopathic and natural remedies that are trusted for their effectiveness in helping to fade skin scars. If you decide to go the homeopathic route, do not leave these agents on your skin for longer than 15 to 30 minutes. After dabbing on skin, you can rinse with a bit of cool water and then softly pat skin with a towel to dry.

Juices—Aloe vera, lime, or lemon juice diluted in a little water and dabbed on skin can assist with fading of scars.
Sandalwood—Sandalwood in a powder or paste form can be dabbed on skin in and around areas where there is scarring.
Vinegar or rosewater—Both vinegar and rosewater have astringent properties that can be helpful in fading scars.
Essential oils—Lavender, tea tree, Vitamin E, olive, and rose hip seed essential oils can all be helpful in fading out acne scars.

Use Over-the-Counter Acne Products

Some over-the-counter acne products may be useful for fading acne scars. For instance, if you have ever wondered, “Does Proactiv really work?”, the consensus is that this over-the-counter product works best if you have an oilier skin type. Whether you choose Proactive or another over-the-counter skin care solution, however, what will be most effective is to first determine your skin type (dry, combination, or oily) and then select a product that has produced good scar-fading results with your particular skin type.

Seek Professional Assistance

Finally, seeking professional assistance can provide effective options for persistent scars. Collagen injections can even out the skin’s surface and skin tone. Laser therapy, light-based therapies, dermabrasion, and microdermabrasion are all professional-grade treatments that have produced excellent results in fading even very deep or persistent acne scars.

With these five options at your disposal, you are sure to find the right treatment to reduce or prevent acne scars from forming.

What have you tried in the past to reduce acne scars? What were your results?

About the Author: Lindsay Tosto has worked with Maybelline New York, Smashbox Cosmetics, Urban Decay Cosmetics, and Sephora. She is more than a makeup artist—she’s an artist that looks at the face as a canvas. For tips and tricks and for more on acne treatments, check out one of Lindsay’s favorite sites, Acne Skin Site.

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