Change Your Spots: What You Need To Know About Getting Rid Of Acne Scars

Acne by itself is annoying enough, especially when it seems like it will never end. But when you add in the scars that come from acne, it can make your skin pay for years to come. But what do you do if you find you have acne scars you want permanently removed, instead of just covered up with concealer or pointedly ignored? If you're looking for ways to finally be free of the last clutches acne has on your skin, then here's what you need to know.

Try (the Right) Ointments

Generally the first attempt those with acne scars make to get rid of them is to apply anti-acne-scarring creams and ointments. But with so many to choose from, it's easy to pick the wrong one (or wrong ones) and end up irritating your skin even further. Find a cortisone cream in order to calm down the redness of your scars; you can find cortisone creams nearly anywhere, and you don't need a prescription for them. Once your scars are calmed down, you'll want to make them disappear with lightening cream; look for ingredients like Vitamin C and alpha hydroxy acids, which help to lighten scars and help speed up skin cell turnover (sloughing off dead cells and stimulating new ones), respectively.

Go All-Natural

If all the ointment and creams in the world don't work for you, try a more natural approach. Applying fresh lemon juice with a cotton ball to the scars can help to lighten them more quickly than they would naturally, which makes them less visible. Olive oil, a known anti-inflammatory, will also work, especially when massaged into your face at nighttime (you can rinse your face off after a couple minutes). If your scars are both red and raised, it's a good idea to employ tea tree oil; add 3-4 drops of tea tree oil to about 2 tablespoons of water, and apply with a cotton ball. This gives intense moisture to the scars, helping them to go away more quickly.

See a Professional

If no amount of creams or oils helps to lessen your scars, it's probably time to see a professional. Laser scar removal, specifically with ablative lasers, helps remove the scar entirely and allows healthy skin to fill in where the scars used to be. You'll want to ask your doctor or dermatologist about if laser scar removal is right for you; they'll be able to recommend a professional and send you on your way to clear, unscarred skin.

For more information and options, talk with a dermatologist, such as those at Appearance Dermatology.