How To Reduce Extensive Acne Scars At Home

If you had a bad case of acne when you were younger, then it is possible that you may have scars on your face.  These scars can be quite noticeable and they may make you self-conscious.  If the scars are deep or extremely raised, then you can speak with a cosmetic dermatologist about surgical acne removal, resurfacing techniques, and filler materials.  If you are not ready to seek medical care for your acne scars just yet, then you can click for more info or try to work on lightening them at home.  Some of the techniques listed below can help you.

Reduce Sun Damage

You probably already know that sunscreen should be worn on the face and body if you spend a significant amount of time outdoors during the day to reduce sunburn risks.  Sunscreen will also help to reduce the appearance of acne scars.  Acne scars are created when blemish clusters form on the face and damage the skin cells underneath them.

When the tissues become damaged, your body repairs itself by producing collagen in strands that build across the area.  The new tissues do not contain melanin pigments like the other parts of the skin.  This means that the scar tissue does not darken temporarily when exposed to the sun to protect itself from permanent damage.  The skin does darken in a more permanent manner though, when exposed to the sun.  This happens when the UV rays cause cell damage.

Wear Sunscreen

Acne scars that have darkened due to sun exposure are likely to lighten over time as new skin cells gradually replace the damaged ones.  You need to protect the new cells properly so that the entire scar area has the opportunity to fade away.  The best way to do this is to wear sunscreen on the face every day.  

Sunscreen often contains fragrances, parabens, musks, and synthetic oils though.  These ingredients may cause break outs and they also might clog pores.  This can increase acne and acne scar concerns.  Instead of using sunscreens, consider using a light lotion with sunscreen protection added in.  Hypoallergenic options are best.  Just make sure the lotion is SPF 15 or higher to provide daily protection.

Try Microdermabrasion

New skin cells that form across acne scar areas will appear lighter, smoother, and more natural.  Skin completely replenishes itself every 28 days with hundreds of thousands of old cells falling off the body each and every day.  Good hydration, exercise, a healthy diet, and a consistent sleep schedule are all things that help to increase the vitality of the new cells that are created.  However, it will take many different skin replenishment cycles before you see acne scars fading.  You can quicken the process by removing dead cells and by encouraging the production of new ones.  Chemical removal through microdermabrasion can do this.

At Home Process

Microdermabrasion is often completed at spas and beauty salons, but you can purchase a kit to complete the treatment at home.  These kits include the dermabrasion device that is a machine that vibrates or moves.  On this machine, you will place a small pad or tip that contains sharp and fine diamond or synthetic granules that force dead cells off the face.  Use the pad against your acne scars and allow the suction function to suck away the skin, as well as the water or soap you use during the process.

Microdermabrasion can be safely completed once every two weeks and this will help to cut the skin replenishing process down to two weeks instead of four.

If you have substantial acne scars on your face, then you may need to seek professional cosmetic dermatology assistance to get rid of them.  You can try methods to help the scars fade beforehand.  Using sunscreen and microdermabrasion techniques are two good options.