Acne is a skin infection that commonly affects over 80 percent of those under 21 and five percent of adults. Although acne breakouts always eventually subside on their own, they sometimes leave unattractive and highly noticeable marks on the person's skin, referred to as acne scars. Such scars can easily become permanent if they are not treated in a timely manner. Permanent acne scars can damage the self-esteem and confidence of the individuals they afflict, thus lessening their quality of life. For this reason, those who have concerns about this condition may wish to consider the following tips for fading acne scars:
Exfoliation
Those with mild acne scars who wish to avoid medical procedures will be pleased to discover that exfoliating the skin is a viable option. In certain cases, this can help reduce the appearance of one's acne scars to a virtually undetectable level. The following are the primary products typically used in such exfoliates:
• Topical bactericidals
• External retinoids
• Topical antibiotics
• Exfoliating gel
• Microderm abrasion creams
Gels and Creams
There are also numerous topical treatments that can be used to reduce the appearance of acne scars. For example, creams containing high levels of vitamin E and similar nutrients often provide optimum results for those with mild scars from acne. To notice visible improvement, such creams must typically be used for a minimum of two months for new scars, and a minimum of six months for permanent scars. For scars of a particularly severe nature, creams that contain the following ingredients should also be considered:
• Azelaic
• Salicytic acid
• Topical retinoids
• Benzoyl peroxide
Post-Inflammatory Pigmentation
A condition referred to as post-inflammatory pigmentation commonly occurs in men and women who have experienced severe acne during adolescence. This type of scar is not typically raised, but rather its unsightly appearance is due to the red discoloration it leaves on the person's skin. Lemon juice is an excellent home remedy that will fade such scars. The results of this treatment will vary considerably from one person to the next, but most individuals who try it find that it will fade their scars to some degree.
Additional Home Remedies
In addition to the aforementioned lemon juice, there are other home remedies that are highly effective in treating acne scars of all types. For example, applying a thin coat of Sandalwood paste on one's scars will help to fade their color and smooth their appearance.
Skin pores can also be tightened through the application of cucumber juice, which will significantly minimize the appearance of certain types of acne scars. Sliced cucumbers should be placed over the problem areas for a minimum of fifteen minutes three times a day. This same procedure can also be completed with sliced tomatoes; however, the acidic value of tomato juice can be irritating to the skin of certain individuals.
Those with deep or especially large acne scars may also wish to consider treatments such as dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, or chemical peels. However, most individuals who follow the afore mentioned tips for fading acne scars will be pleasantly surprised with how effective they are regarding the elimination of these unsightly blemishes. For more tips and product reviews
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