What You Should Know About Getting Rid of Acne Scars

Everyone’s skin is different, which means dealing with acne and acne scars are different for each of us. Unfortunately we all have to deal with the consequences of being a teenager, and acne is one of them. If you’re like me, you’ve probably bought countless medications, visited the dermatologist, and tried every home remedy under the sun to get rid of acne and acne scars. But the solution lies in knowing yourself and your skin. Pay attention to the following ways to help make acne scars disappear.

Know your skin type

Knowing the type of skin you have can help you find acne treatments that will work for you. Your skin could be dry or oily; sensitive or resistant; loose or tight; pigmented or non-pigmented. Take the skin type test to find out what type of skin you have to help you choose the right acne care products.

Dark mark or acne scar?

Yes, there is a difference, and understanding what it is could help treat your skin better. Dark spots are hyper-pigmentation and are left over from an acne breakout. Dark spots are not scars, which means they can be treated effectively. Scarring is when the damage is extended deeper into the skin and needs special treatment from a dermatologist.

Resist picking, popping, and touching

Even though it’s satisfying to pop and pick at your acne, it can actually damage the skin and turn the breakout into a permanent scar. Even be aware of resting your face on your palm while in class, because there’s a lot more oil and bacteria you’re getting on your face than you think!

What are you eating?

Certain foods like greasy fast food, sugar, and carbs can cause acne and lead to scarring or spots. Snacks like cashews, yogurt, and foods with healthy fatty acids like salmon, tuna, and sardines are great for your skin. Keep a food diary to keep track of what you’re eating and how much to help stay on track and keep your skin clear.

Stress

Stress is definitely a factor when it comes to acne scars. As college students, stress isn’t completely unavoidable, since we’re always tired and anxious about work and tests. When you’re stressed, an oily substance called sebum mixes with dead skin cells and bacteria, creating a pimple. Although stress comes with being a college student, you can still try to not sweat the small stuff, and find ways to help effectively destress.

Vitamins

Vitamin E is rumored to heal acne scars. You can take vitamin E pills and cut them open to apply it directly on your skin. This remedy is something that may or may not work for you, but taking vitamin E pills orally have other positive advantages like healthy hair and nails, and helps keep a healthy immune system. Vitamin C also helps to build collagen and reduce inflammation for the skin.

Sunscreen

Exposure to the sun can make scarring more prominent. Using sunscreen every day can help reduce redness and marks. Most sunscreen is also acne-friendly so no need to worry about it clogging your pores. Even if your scars and spots disappear, you should still constantly be applying sunscreen to help prevent breakouts in the future.

Aloe vera

Applying aloe vera and a few drops of lemon juice can help kill dead skin cells and lighten acne scars over time. A fresh aloe plant is recommended, which can be purchased by the leaf at a grocery store, but there are different methods you can try. For me, the aloe plant didn’t work, but I did find that the lemon juice lightened the dark spots.

Chemical peel

Chemical peels are great for getting rid of dark spots and acne by removing old skin. First, the acne goes away and the dark spots may take another few months. Ask your dermatologist about this treatment if you’re interested, as it does not always work for everyone.