Acne affects approximately 90% of teens. Severely inflamed acne can leave scars. Acne scars cause a lot of psychological distress, especially in adolescents. But it is important to remember that scars are normal.
In this article, we will talk about some home remedies that can help alleviate the appearance of acne scars and pimple marks. These remedies may not work on all skin types. Therefore, consult a skin care specialist before exploring these options.
Acne scars vs. pimple marks
Acne scars are often itchy and rarely heal completely. Pimple marks are small, dark, flattened spots caused by post-inflammatory drugs. hyperpigmentation They can go away in a few weeks. Picking or popping a pimple can increase the chances of pimple marks. However, they do not cause long-term damage to the skin. On the other hand, acne scars take a long time to heal and are difficult to remove completely.
Note: Some acne scars are caused by inflammation and require medical treatment. They cannot be treated with home remedies. See a dermatologist to find out if this is the case for your acne scars.
home remedies for acne scars and pimples
#1. orange peel powder
A study was conducted in Japan to study the effect of orange peel extracts on melanogenesis, a complex process involving the formation of melanin. The extract was found to help suppress melanogenesis. Therefore, orange peel can help remove acne blemishes and blemishes.
You will need to
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- 1 teaspoon of orange peel powder
What you have to do
- Mix powdered honey and orange peel to make a thick paste.
- Apply the paste on areas with acne scars and pimples.
- Wash after drying.
How often should you do this?
- Do this 3-4 times a week.
#2. Coconut oil
Research Conduct Studying the potential benefits of vegetable oils on the skin shows that coconut oil has antibacterial properties that can help reduce acne.
You will need to
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil (VCO)
What you have to do
- Heat the virgin coconut oil by rubbing it between your palms.
- Apply on acne scars and leave on until the next morning.
How often should you do this?
- Do this every night before bed.
Note: Do not try this remedy if you have oily skin as coconut oil can clog pores and make acne worse.
#3. tea tree oil
tea tree oil can reduce lesions and acne scales. Its antimicrobial properties can help reduce the appearance of pimples. However, there is no evidence to show that it relieves acne scars and pimple marks. Since topical tea tree oil is considered safe for most people, you can try this remedy.
You will need to
- 2-3 drops of tea tree essential oil
- a carrier oil
What you have to do
- Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with a carrier oil of your choice.
- Apply this mixture to the scars.
- Leave it for an hour before washing it off.
How often should you do this?
- Repeat once a day until the scars disappear.
Note: Do a patch test before trying this remedy, as tea tree oil can cause skin irritation.
#4. Aloe VeraGel
It has also been discovered that a mixture of aloe vera, tea tree oil and propolis reduces acne scars and pimples.
aloe vera can reduce acne scars, reduce hyperpigmentation and act as a immunity stimulator and an anti-inflammatory agent.
You will need to
- 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel
What you have to do
- Remove a tablespoon of gel from aloe vera leaves.
- Apply on scars and spots.
- Leave overnight.
How often should you do this?
- You can do this every night before going to bed.
#5. Lemon juice
Lemon juice it contains vitamin C which has anti-pigmentary properties (8). Therefore, acne scars, blemishes, and pimple marks may fade over time.
You will need to
What you have to do
- Squeeze the juice from half a lemon and dab a cotton swab into the juice.
- Apply to affected areas.
- Rinse well after 10 minutes.
How often should you do this?
- You can do this 3-4 times a week.
Note: If you have sensitive skin, do not try this remedy as it can cause redness and irritation. Do a patch test before the medication and apply sunscreen afterwards, as lemon juice can make your skin photosensitive.
#6. Green Tea
Green tea contains polyphenols, which have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that help in the prevention and treatment of acne. Green tea also helps reduce scars and pimple marks with its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
You will need to
What you have to do
- Make a mask by mixing moist green tea leaves with honey.
- Apply the container on its entire surface and leave it to act for 15 minutes.
- Rinse well under running water.
How often should you do this?
- Do this 1-2 times a week.
#7. Turmeric
Turmeric is one of the oldest spices used for skin remedies. Studies show that topical application of turmeric has shown improvement in skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis and alopecia.
Also contains curcumin, which is an effective skin lightening agent. Therefore, acne scars and pimple marks can disappear. However, current studies are limited and more research is essential to better understand how this can help reduce acne scars and pimple marks.
You will need to
- One teaspoon of turmeric powder
- 1 lemon
What you have to do
- Squeeze lemon juice in a bowl and mix with turmeric powder.
- Gently apply this mixture on your face and other affected areas.
- Leave on for about 15 minutes before washing.
How often should you do this?
- You can do this once every two days.
Note: If you have sensitive skin, do not try this remedy as it can cause redness and irritation. Do a patch test before medication and then apply sunscreen.
#8. potato juice
A study published in Journal of Medicinal Plant Studies claims that the potassium, sulfur, phosphorous, and chloride found in potatoes are helpful in treating acne and pimple blemishes. potato too contains azelaic acid that can reduce hyperpigmentation caused by mild to moderate acne and breakouts.
You will need to
- 2 tablespoons of potato juice
What you have to do
- Mash a raw potato to extract its juice.
- Dip a cotton ball in this juice and apply it on the acne scarred areas.
- Leave it for 10 minutes and wash it off.
How often should you do this?
- You can apply this juice 2-3 times a week.
How to prevent acne scars and pimples
Acne and pimples happen quite often, but you can always make sure they don’t leave scars on your face. Some tips that can help prevent scarring include:
- Wash your face with a non-comedogenic soap twice a day.
- Always remove makeup from your face before going to bed.
- Don’t pick acne or pimple pimples.
- Apply sunscreen before going out in the sun.
- Follow a balanced diet and avoid foods that can cause breakouts.
What are the reasons for acne scars?
Acne can be classified into two subtypes: non-inflammatory and inflammatory.
Blackheads and whiteheads generally fall under the non-inflammatory subtype. Papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts are inflammatory types of acne.
Among these types is inflammatory acne that tends to leave scars and marks.
Swollen acne blemishes occur when pores become swollen due to excess oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria that clog them. This leads to inflammation of the pores, which causes the follicular walls to expand and rupture.
If this breakout occurs near the skin’s surface, the resulting acne lesion is usually minor and heals quickly. However, if the follicle ruptures deeply, the injury will be more severe and infected material can seep into the dermis (the second layer of skin) and destroy healthy skin tissue.
Acne scars are divided into different types.
Types of acne scars
The most common types of acne scars are:
- Ice pick scars: narrow, deep, itchy scars
- Rolling scars: wide, depressed scars with sloping edges
- Boxcar scars: wide scars with sharp edges
- Atrophic scars: flat, fine and depressed scars.
- Hypertrophic scars: irregular and thick scars.
Regardless of the type of acne scars, the remedies shared above can help control and reduce the appearance of acne. However, in some cases, you may need longer treatment, as acne can be a sign of other underlying conditions. In such cases, you should consult your dermatologist immediately.
When using natural remedies to treat acne scars, you need to be patient as results can take weeks. It’s also important to remember that some medications may not work for you because of your skin type or an underlying medical condition that’s causing your acne. You are less likely to get acne scars if you have less acne. Therefore, it is recommended that you see a doctor to find out as much as possible about your acne and how to treat it.